I can't take it. I don't want to accept it. I will take my passion elsewhere. The NBA is becoming a place of "super teams." A place where if you don't live in LA, Chicago, Miami, NY, or Boston...you might as well just pick up your basketball and go home. For years David Stern has marketed players and not teams. Marketed the back of the jersey instead of the front. It is no longer about having one superstar, but to have three ...and David Stern has a GIANT SMILE on his face.
Being a fan of the San Antonio Spurs, I have enjoyed the success of being the little guy who triumphs over the giants. To this point and time I do not fret over the fact that my team will not be noticed, because to this point in time, the Spurs are the most unappreciated team in sports. But that is besides the point. They have proven that you can win with great coaching and scouting; but at the same time they have been very fortunate that Tim Duncan was willing to stay. Imagine if he would have left like LeBron & Bosh did this summer? The Spurs would no longer be in San Antonio. The fact of the matter is that, it's no longer about being able beat the other greats of the game head to head, but to join together. This hurts the small market teams who don't have the big city lights to attract these marquee players.
You might be thinking "If you have teams of Melo/Stoudemire/CP3 vs. LeBron/Wade/Bosh, it will make great television" No doubt that it will, but what about the die hard fans in San Antonio, Utah, Phoenix, Denver, Cleveland, Toronto, Detroit, Sacramento, Oklahoma, and Charlotte who only invest time into their team? Why should we be left out in the dark? I spend too much of my time cheering on my team. Too much money going to games and buying
jerts jersey t-shirts. Too much GOTDAMN TIME!
The city of Cleveland is the best example of this. LeBron leaves and the Cavs set a New NBA record for consecutive loses (26.) How will the Cavs recover? They could get lucky and draft a franchise player, but he would leave after five years. Then the cycle of losing will continue. What will happen now that 'Melo has left the Nuggets? They might be an above average team, but who wants to be above average? I want to win championships! If i'm going to spend time and money, I want positive results! Utah dumps D-Will to NJ, because the owner has a "Gut" feeling that he will not re-sign. Why should he? It's Utah. If I had a choice between Brooklyn (The Nets Future home) and Salt Lake City ...the BK is a no brainier. Here in lies the problem, and it does not rest on the shoulder of the player, but on the commissioner.
On June 30, 2011 the NBA's collective bargaining agreement expires. At this time, it will be the precedent that David Stern and the owners come up with to keep the big fish from fleeing small markets. This will be the only way for the league to save its self from...itself. This will be make or break time for the die hard fan. If an option of a franchise tag or a hard cap with no tax is created, there still might be hope. If nothing changes? Then just contract the small market teams and keep the 10 biggest, because there is no way that i'm sticking around to watch my team suffer with no chance of ever winning again. I'll just take my basketball and go home.
I can't take it. I don't want to accept it. I will take my passion elsewhere. The NBA is becoming a place of "super teams." A place where if you don't live in LA, Chicago, Miami, NY, or Boston...you might as well just pick up your basketball and go home. For years David Stern has marketed players and not teams. Marketed the back of the jersey instead of the front. It is no longer about having one superstar, but to have three ...and David Stern has a GIANT SMILE on his face.
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