In the current operation format of the NBA, the league should consider contracting to 10 teams and have a deep minor league system. With the Carmelo Anthony saga officially coming to a close last night with his trade to the New York Knicks, the NBA is facing a new trend: young superstar players are collaborating with one another to team up and play together. While this certainly is their prerogative, does it make the league truly better? Looking at the current standings, realistically there are 8 clubs that have a shot at claiming the NBA Title. Even though there are several clubs that are on the bubble, these teams are head and shoulders above the rest of the field: Celtics, Heat, Bulls, Magic, Spurs, Mavericks, Lakers, and Thunder. (I cannot add the Knicks to the upper echelon, for they have not played together yet with their new acquisition.) While I might have generously added the Magic and Thunder to the list, it does prove a point that gap between the “Elite” 8 and the other 22 teams is quite extensive and expanding at a rapid rate. While the big market teams are able to attract the superstars to their cities, the franchise that drafted the player in the hopes that he would lead them to postseason glory are left in the aftermath pondering its next move.
Could you imagine Larry Bird leaving Boston and joining forces with Magic Johnson in Los Angeles? Or Patrick Ewing heading to Chicago to play alongside Michael Jordan? While those questions seem outlandish and absurd, that is exactly the scenario in today’s NBA. While dominant teams always come to fruition, the fashion through which they are being assembled has changed dramatically. The NBA is turning into MLB, with the big market teams pillaging their small market counterparts when their young talent enters its prime. So in essence, teams such as the Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, and now the Cleveland Cavaliers will serve as developmental camps for young superstars, as the Knicks, Celtics, Heat, and Lakers play the waiting game, salivating over their respective futures.
That sure sounds familiar. The Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies, and Angels view the Royals, Pirates, and Mariners as “AAAA” franchises who offer youngsters on the job training in order to reach their full potential with a deep pocket franchise. While it is a way of life if you are a fan of a big market team, how do you get excited for an upcoming season if you reside in Cleveland or Sacramento? Even if you get a high draft selection, you realistically know deep down that as soon as that player’s initial contract concludes, his bags are packed and he will be hosting an hour long television special on ESPN letting the world know his “decision” as to where he will continue his career. In the case of Carmelo Anthony, the Denver Nuggets are in the midst of the Western Conference playoff picture. Obviously losing its most vital piece at the most inopportune time transitions the mindset of a franchise. While Anthony gave fans something to cheer about, the end game is on display clearly. For Carmelo to reach his true goal, he would have to leave the Nuggets, all the while turning down the same contract extension from Denver as he will sign with the Knicks. The optimistic outlook that the Nugget faithful held close to their hearts has been replaced with the all too familiar morbid feeling it was accustomed to prior to Anthony’s arrival.
However, the NBA does have the opportunity to close the loop hole and force smart business to once again take control. The Collective Bargaining Agreement expires this summer and while a hard salary cap is going to be a tough sell on the Player’s Association, it does level the playing field and give hope to all fans in every city a franchise is located. One does not have to look outside the sports industry for concrete evidence that controlled and regulated budget restraints will prove advantageous for all members. The NFL historically has caused more prosperity and league stability with the introduction of the the salary cap. Teams are able to build a team around its most successful players, which makes the supporting cast the reason championships are captured or lost. More importantly, all the franchises are profitable, unlike the teams that reside in the NBA.
Naysayers would argue that dynasties are eliminated with the “watering down” effect, yet teams such as the Patriots and Steelers illustrate that business savvy and budget management lead to sustained success. It also allows the franchises to build through the draft and smart free agent additions. Thus, all eligible playoff teams have a true chance to win the championship. Don’t think that is possible? Look no farther than the team that most recently hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. The Green Bay Packers, entered the playoffs as the sixth seed in the NFC, yet it did not let it stand in their way as they marched to the Super Bowl. In the existing state of the NBA, there is zero chance that a lower seed will bring the O’Brien Championship Trophy home to its fans. Through analyzing the pros and cons of other sports Collective Bargaining Agreements, the NBA can create a hybrid version all its own and develop a successful model its league counterparts will envy. It will also enable the hope and dreams of fans in all 30 cities to flourish, rather than have the heartbreak it receives as its prized superstars leave town bound for big city lights.
You make a comment about how there are only 8 teams that are true contenders and then there's a huge dropoff. But, during the glory days of the 80s (when the NBA was supposedly at its best) wasn't it the same thing?
ReplyDeleteTake 1984-85: You've got the Celtics, Sixers, Bucks, and Pistons in the East and the Nuggets, Rockets, Mavs, and Lakers in the West. And even some of those, realistically, had no shot.
83-84 was similar: Celtics, Sixers, Bucks, and Pistons...then Lakers, Jazz, and Trail Blazers.
As for big name players wanting to play with big name players...it's not the first time it's happened. Moses Malone signed on with Philly to join Dr. J, Maurice Cheeks, Andrew Toney, and Bobby Jones to win a title. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar requested a trade to "either New York or Los Angeles" in 1974. And who could forget Wilt Chamberlain jumping from the Sixers to the Lakers?
You bring up valid points in your argument. While big name players certainly desire to join a well balanced team, in the 80's teams could build a team around a young superstar and add key players as needed. Thus, the Bulls were able to do that with Jordan; Atlanta did its best to help out Wilkins; Houston kept Olajuwon; and the Pistons built a dynasty around Thomas. In regards to your player movement, Abdul-Jabbar requested a trade because Pistol Pete retired and the team was heading towards rebuilding. The same can be said to Moses Malone, who was allowed to seek other options from Houston. It seems today that the players are making the decisions and handcuffing teams by asking for a trade or like Carmelo, signing the same deal with the Knicks that the Nuggets previously offered. I have no problem if a veteran requests to be traded if the team around him is being "blown up." What is bothersome is for a player to leave a championship caliber team high and dry (like Lebron James did last summer.)
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