NBA Commissioner, David Stern Threatens Contraction?
NBA Commissioner, David Stern
It seems that everyone, including just casual sports fans, are acutely aware of the NFL labor issues surrounding the current CBA negotiations. The NFL and the NFLPA have been posturing for months trying to apply pressure and preparing fans for the possibility of a likely Lock-Out. Less hyped, but equally imminent, is the likely NBA Lock-Out that is starting to pick up steam in the media due to David Stern’s recent comments and the well documented financial struggles of the NBA.
In an interview last week, Stern indicated that the NBA would need to cut salaries & benefits to players by up to 38%. Now, obviously, this is at least to some degree, posturing and negotiating and it’s probably at least double what they actually expect to cut. But when asked about NBA contraction, Stern also confirmed that it would a possibility that was on the table and being considered. Again, probably posturing and it’s unlikely that they would actually cut any number of teams whether it be 2, 4, 6 whatever. But I honestly believe that the NBA would be a better experience for the fans (and obviously probably not in these cities and I’ll assuredly piss people off) and the NBA would be more stable financially if they were to contract.
So why would less teams be better for the NBA and for us fans? First, less teams means less players under the NBA’s employ. This immediately and drastically cuts the salary & benefit number that they need to reduce in order to control their massive deficits. Secondly, EVERY professional sports league could actually benefit from contraction as there are too many teams that no one cares about, in many instances INCLUDING THEIR OWN FANS! When a league has too many teams you get too many fringe players to just fill out rosters and the talent is watered down. I think this is especially evident in the NFL (quarterbacks) and in MLB (pitching). You get a lot of poor play because there just aren’t enough guys in the world who can do the job and fill all the spots.
We also see TONS of games that most everyone just doesn't care about. Can you name anyone outside of a dedicated hometown fan who really cares about seeing Memphis vs. Golden St. play in February? Remember, I don’t think this will happen, but I think the NBA would be better if it did.
Here are my teams I would propose for contraction:
Lets face it, Golden State hasn’t been actually competitive or relevant since…. well FOREVER. Well, since they first came to Golden State that is. Now the sale of the team this year for $450 M would go directly against my argument, but I cannot comprehend that this team is worth that much money and that it’s actually a viable NBA franchise.
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Memphis:
The Grizzlies came into the NBA in 1995 with Toronto and they were originally established in Vancouver. The franchise was never relevant and it was so poorly attended that the franchise was moved to Memphis. MEMPHIS!? I’m sure Memphis is a great city, but is it really the right place for an NBA franchise? An awful franchise for that matter? The Grizzlies could easily be eliminated and no more than about 130 people would care (joking.... sorta).
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Obviously, the Raptors came into the league in 1995 and have really struggled to be relevant ever since. Sure, they’ve made the playoffs a few times, but after losing Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, and now Chris Bosh, this is one of the most irrelevant franchises in the NBA. Not to mention, the team is in CANADA! Canada is great, for HOCKEY, but again, not for basketball. Attendance will be horrible, the team won’t be competitive, and no one else in the NBA will care. Get rid of em!
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Minnesota:
Obviously this would eliminate 3 Western Conference teams and only one Eastern Conference teams so one team would need to be re-aligned to even things up. But Minnesota has really only been relevant for short period of time when Kevin Garnett was there and they were in the playoffs on a regular basis. Kevin McHale ruined this team and they have been AWFUL ever since. I don’t consider Minnesota a great basketball City… great football & baseball City sure. But they have been and will remain irrelevant for quite some time. Another team that only a handful of people would miss.
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Like I said, this won't happen and the mere suggestion of contraction won't make me a lot of fans or friends. But the NBA, just like every other major sport, would actually be much better off with less teams. It would concentrate the talent, provide more relevant teams and better matchups day to day and night to night and it would make the league more financially viable. Would you rather watch a bunch of watered down, awful teams, and just a few SUPER TEAMS that are actual legit contenders? Or would you rather watch a bunch of very good teams that are all more competitive overall?
Not to mention, the way the NBA shifted this summer with the "SUPER TEAM" down in Miami, and a "SUPER TEAM" in the making in New York. As these players try to team up with other superstars, this will only make the problem worse. There will be even fewer truly competitive and relevant teams and there will be significantly more irrelevant and uncompetitive and quite honestly, AWFUL teams. Think about it.... at this rate the only teams who will truly compete for a title are L.A., Boston, NY, ATL, MIA, CHI, ORL, DAL, and maybe OKC and HOU and a few others who will pop up from time to time.
The NBA is at a cross-roads with the labor issues, the financial instability of the league and several teams, and with the way the players seem to be running rough shot over the league. If they want to ensure its long-term viability, the NBA should (BUT WONT) seriously consider contraction.
