So here we are more than 100 days since the NBA lockout began...and really, we aren't any closer to hearing that this issue has been solved than we were at the beginning, are we? The NBAPA and the NBA league offices have negotiated, postured, made announcements in the media, and really not much has changed. Depending on who you believe (the players or the owners) some concessions have been made (by both sides) but its always the OTHER side that isn't negotiating in good faith, won't back down from their hardline position, or won't budge on the one thing that the OTHER side must have in order to move forward. Strange isn't it? And now we've got a federal mediator involved in this process...we'll see how that turns out. Several sports pundits have pointed out that if the NFL had cancelled games...pretty much the entire United States would have burned to the ground. But the longer this lockout goes, more and more casual NBA fans will view it as a petty squabble between millionaires and billionaires and just give up and walk away. The hardcore NBA fans (like you and me) will still love the sport and follow it to the death of us...but the NBA isn't really just for the hardcore. It makes the bulk of its money off of the casual fans who go to games, buy merch, and spend cash on Season Ticket. Once those fans walk away...there won't be any recovery. Or if there is, its gonna be a long, long time. Yes, as much as we don't want to admit it, there is a scenario where the NBA folds up shop and goes away. Ask the owners of teams in the CBA if you think it can't happen. And every day that passes...we lose a little more hope.
Reach an agreement fellas. There's lots of money to go around. Divvy it up right, and let's get this thing going again. Before its too late for the folks who make the NBA what it is...the fans. In the meantime, for those of you who are feeling it, check out episode 3 of Kevin Durant's "The 35th Hour" web series. Some runs in Venice, CA and a commercial that KD is pretty "fly" in. Peep it, and give me your thoughts on the lockout or KD when you get a chance. Holla!
Episode 3, the 35th Hour
All I can say is I'm depressed!
ReplyDeleteYeah...I will say this. There certainly isn't a whole lot of room for hope at this point. And there are lots of stories out there on ESPN and Grantland indicating that the owners WANT to cancel a season to really break the players down to a point where they will take any deal, even one they won't or wouldn't agree to now. These guys are millionaires or billionaires and are making their money from other places than basketball. So its not them that's hurting during this whole time of the lockout...nor the biggest NBA stars either. Its the rank and file mid level exception dudes that are going to get owned by this extended period of not getting paid. Truly just a sad, sad time we are in as fans right now.
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