ESPN's NBA Coverage Exceeds its Stanley Cup Duo

As the NBA Finals, between the San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers, begin Thursday night on ABC, ESPN has stationed Stuart Scott, Greg Anthony and Tim Legler behind a desk in San Antonio to work as commentators on Sportscenter.

Why didn't the NHL get the same treatment from ESPN?

For the Stanley Cup, ESPN only sent Steve Levy and Barry Melrose to cover the Anaheim Ducks and the Ottawa Senators. Levy and Melrose didn't even get a desk in the arenas. The only got a few minutes to discuss the series on Sportscenter from a random spot in the seats, while the NBA coverage on the network on Sportscenter alone Wednesday night totaled about 10 minutes.

What gives?

*NBA Finals image courtesy of ESPN.com