The NBA is in real trouble

[Skkorpion]

when nobody cares about the current playoffs and draft talk is dominated by discussion of high schoolers and Europeans.

We need an expansion of 10 foreign teams right now.

 

[Bada0Bing]

I've been watching the playoffs. Actually there have been some pretty amazing finishes. LA vs SA - best finish to a game I've ever seen. DET vs NJ - 3OT's, wow. Miami is giving IND a hard time and who knows who will win MIN vs SAC?

I don't really care about the draft right now. I'll show more interest once they have the lottery and we know where everyone is drafting.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

when nobody cares about the current playoffs and draft talk is dominated by discussion of high schoolers and Europeans.

We need an expansion of 10 foreign teams right now.

I think most people, and not just people who post on this board would disagree with you.

 

[Joe Mama]

Low-scoring, poor skills, ridiculous salaries, and unlikable characters are what is killing the NBA. They are all tied together in one way or another also. One of the big reasons the scores are so low is because the players are just not as skilled before they get to the NBA. Guys come to the NBA young and with little basketball experience because they can get paid like a star did 15 years ago without proving anything. The big salaries also mean that the players are set for life with their NBA contracts alone. It doesn't matter whether they are likable enough to get good endorsement deals. Think about the superstars of the NBA 10-20 years ago. We had Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson, etc. All of these guys were somewhat articulate, likable, and exciting.

Now the top superstars are Shaquille O'Neal, Tim Duncan, KG, Tracy McGrady, and Kobe Bryant. Tim Duncan and Tracy McGrady are fantastic players, but they are pretty boring personalities. Shaquille O'Neal is bipolar. Half the time he is funny and likable. The other half of the time he acts like an cornholio version of Ben Stein. KG is OK, but he plays in one of the smallest markets, and this is the first year his team has made it out of the first round of the playoffs. I won't even get into what Kobe Bryant has done to the marketability of the NBA in the last year.

I just don't see how European teams in the NBA will work. NBA players don't want to live in Canada much less Europe.

Joe Mama

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

when nobody cares about the current playoffs and draft talk is dominated by discussion of high schoolers and Europeans.

We need an expansion of 10 foreign teams right now.

This round of the playoffs has been amazing. I haven't missed a game yet. One of the reasons it has been so good is the league finally got the memo that EVERYONE hates long breaks except for the tv stations. These 1 day breaks are perfect.

Draft talk is different, that is for sure. Although it does add a kind of mystery to it all

2 things I want the new CBA to have is shorter guananteed contracts, and an age limit. Both would go a long ways into helping out teams continue to put a good product on the floor. Imagine if we only had to pay googs and Penny for 4 years.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Are you kidding Skkorp?

When I wasn't sleeping on Friday, I was watching the NBA playoffs.

Just the teams I want to lose keep winning

This has been a great playoffs.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Oh and just because people aren't talking about teams in the playoffs on a Suns board, is not indicative of a lack of interest in said playoffs. It simply means that the playoffs don't really relate to the Suns in really any manner except the curiousity of seeing the Lakers lose so the great Kobe debate can pick back up in earnest.

 

[Krangodnzr]

The NFL draft had much better ratings than the NBA playoffs. Sad.

I agree with Skkorp. Most people I know, couldn't give a rat's posterior about the NBA.

The NBA desperately needs to not have guaranteed contracts. Guaranteed contracts are the death of quality team sports when contracts reach the ridiculous level that the NBA has.

Imagine how much more exciting the Suns could've been if Hardaway and Googs had been cut a few years ago? The Magic wouldn't have been forced to make so many bad trades to add talent if Grant Hill hadn't crippled their salary cap.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

I think what sucks and what is ruining the NBA playoffs is this stinking schedule...

Kings/Wolves...played yesterday, Game 7 isn't until WEDNESDAY???

Pistons/Nets...played yesterday, Game 7 isn't until THURSDAY???


What a joke this stuff is...Wolves and Pistons should be playing on Tuesday night. Waiting any longer just makes people lose any excitement they might have had after Sunday.

Mike

 

[Chaplin]

It's threads like these that infuriate me. Guys come and post one little few-sentences post, and there comes a discussion about it, and then the guy never posts again.

I love ya Skkorp, but I'll never understand why you post once, then never return to participate in a discussion you started.

Besides the fact that it's a thread about the "problems" in the NBA, it's the same stuff that is addressed in multiple threads already, especially now.

It's also funny that Krang posted on this thread, when he never posts on the NBA board.

 

[elindholm]

Most people I know, couldn't give a rat's posterior about the NBA.

Guess you should spend more time hanging out with Jack Nicholson.

Statistics show that there are many more football fans than basketball fans. That might be solely due to poor NBA playoff scheduling, but somehow I doubt it. Football fans think that their sport is more interesting, and basketball fans think that their sport is. That's about it.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Most people I know, couldn't give a rat's posterior about the NBA.

Guess you should spend more time hanging out with Jack Nicholson.

Statistics show that there are many more football fans than basketball fans. That might be solely due to poor NBA playoff scheduling, but somehow I doubt it. Football fans think that their sport is more interesting, and basketball fans think that their sport is. That's about it.

i love 'em both. however, that said, generally football comes first for me. as a sport. if i have to watch a game that's not my favorite team, it'll be football. however, b/c the suns have been my love for far longer than have the cardinals i would be happier (but only incrementally) in the long run to see the suns win a championship than the cardinals.

 

[Chaplin]

Football definitely is the United States' number 1 sport right now. No question about it. Basketball is suffering from problems that we've discussed countless times on this board. There's a lot more good than bad in football, where in the NBA it's at best half good, half bad. Unfortunately, because I love basketball and I love the game.

 

[sly fly]

Football definitely is the United States' number 1 sport right now. No question about it. Basketball is suffering from problems that we've discussed countless times on this board. There's a lot more good than bad in football, where in the NBA it's at best half good, half bad. Unfortunately, because I love basketball and I love the game.

The last sentence basically sums it up for me.

If you love the game (which I do), then you can appreciate the freaks at the NBA level.

For some Joe Blow, he's not going to understand the skill level some of these guys possess.

Plus, we rip on some NBA players a lot. But, it's hard as hell getting up for an 82+ game season. It's hard on your body (I'm 33, and my body hurts like hell just playing 3 nights week). It takes a true athlete to be able to withstand an NBA season.

The NBA is just fine. Even the NFL went through growing pains. Lebron, Carmelo, Amare, Yao, Wade, etc are GREAT guys to build upon.

(I'll guarantee Skorpp or Krang have barely caught a glimpse of the playoffs this year... other than a 15 second clip on SportsCenter. If they had, then they wouldn't have posted that BS).

 

[playstation]

its true football has by far the most fans in the US (estimates have the lead at 165mil to 45mil), but for me basketball is by far the best.

basketball is such a soap opera, the offseason is almost as the regular one! i mean, i'll be sitting here in august going over the rocky mt. ***** for god sake! I love the story lines, i love the fact that individual players carry more weight, superstars can win games and affect games much easier than in other sports. i don't know that football has any of that. add to that the fact that basketball has the best athletes of the major sports (an OT, a 1B, or a PG???)

 

[cardsunsfan]

add to that the fact that basketball has the best athletes of the major sports (an OT, a 1B, or a PG???)

Yeah that Michael Vick is not much of on an athlete or Ray Lewis...
On average, I think Football players are more athletic. The one thing Basketball players have going for them are height but it often hurts them in other areas...

 

[slinslin]

Lebron James at WR can you imagine that?

Ultra fast, 6'8, 40+" vertical, strong and big hands?

 

[sly fly]

Yeah that Michael Vick is not much of on an athlete or Ray Lewis...
On average, I think Football players are more athletic. The one thing Basketball players have going for them are height but it often hurts them in other areas...

You can take Stephon Marbury or Jason Kidd and they would dominate at the RB or QB position in the NFL.

Charles Barkley would have been a tough SOB at TE. Jordan as a WR. The list could go on and on.

Could you say the same thing about Vick (or most others?) playing PG for an NBA team?

 

[Cardinal Bob]

No disrespect to the NBA fans out there, but to me, the NBA died as a league about 15 years ago.

I used to be a big basketball fan, and still am a HUGE college basketball fan, but I find NBA games unwatchable these days. Why? Because the players no longer play the game of basketball as I learned it...and yeah, I know the game is evolving, but hear me out.

I know I'm over-simplifying here, but it seems like all these guys wanna do is go one-on-one all the time, and all they care to do is dunk or shoot threes. Gone is the art of passing, and moving without the ball. Gone are the days when guys would take - and make - 15 to 18 ft. jump shots. How many times do you see the point guard just dribbling at the top of the key while the others stand around watching him, waiting for him to start his move with about 7-9 seconds left on the shot clock, at which point the guy goes one-on-one or kicks it out for someone standing around at the 3-pt. line?

And defense? All you see is constant double and triple teams, and if a team has guys that aren't good defensive players, then they play NY Knicks/Miami Heat-mug-'em-on-the-way-to-the-hoop "defense" that Pat Riley made all the rage in the '90s. If I want to watch clutching and grabbing I'll just watch the NHL (clutching and grabbing in hockey - another bothersome topic for me, but this is the Suns/NBA forum, so I'll save that rant).

And then you have the players. It seems like very few NBA players nowadays understand the concept of TEAM basketball. IMO, this can be directly linked to the influx of guys who jump to the league straight out of H.S. or after one year of college. These guys don't learn the fundamentals of the game anymore, because fundamentals don't get you on "SportsCenter", or get you that shoe deal. Yeah, these guys are superb athletes, but they don't know the basics of the game. They've essentially turned NBA basketball into a glorified game of street ball.

At least in the playoffs, most guys are playing hard at least some of the time, but in the regular season, it looks as if most of them couldn't care less.

Anyways, like I said, I don't mean any disrespect to any NBA fans here. I just thought I'd try and give a little perspective of today's NBA from a former die-hard fan who can't watch anymore, and honestly couldn't care less who's still playing or who's winning.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

its true football has by far the most fans in the US (estimates have the lead at 165mil to 45mil), but for me basketball is by far the best.

basketball is such a soap opera, the offseason is almost as the regular one! i mean, i'll be sitting here in august going over the rocky mt. ***** for god sake! I love the story lines, i love the fact that individual players carry more weight, superstars can win games and affect games much easier than in other sports. i don't know that football has any of that. add to that the fact that basketball has the best athletes of the major sports (an OT, a 1B, or a PG???)

nfl has just as good or better offseason. the way players are courted. the many rumors about where they're going to sign. the actual signing of restricted free agents and sacrificing of draft picks therefor. the franchise tag. and the draft is just VASTLY superior to the nba draft.

as for your comparison as athletes . . . . c'mon man. comparing an OT (who, btw, are incredible athletes today . . . see walter jones) to a pg (arguably the most athletic of the nbaers is stupid. i could say, compare oliver miller to randy moss and get the same point across.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Lebron James at WR can you imagine that?

Ultra fast, 6'8, 40+" vertical, strong and big hands?

yeah, but you see, we don't know if he's "ultra fast." just b/c someone is fast w/ the ball in their hands don't mean they have speed. he prolly runs a 4.8 forty.

not to mention that 6'8 frame would be a mighty inviting target coming across the middle! he'd get bent in two.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

You can take Stephon Marbury or Jason Kidd and they would dominate at the RB or QB position in the NFL.

Charles Barkley would have been a tough SOB at TE. Jordan as a WR. The list could go on and on.

Could you say the same thing about Vick (or most others?) playing PG for an NBA team?

yes. they are all great athletes. if they decided to concentrate on one sport they would dominate. vick as a pg? he'd break peeps off at the ankles regularly.

as for jordan at wr, how FAST was he? we don't know.

and steph and kidd at qb? we have no idea if they have the arm.

folks, this conjecture is somewhat stupid.

look at jordan's attempts to play baseball.

 

[Chaz]

No disrespect to the NBA fans out there, but to me, the NBA died as a league about 15 years ago.

I used to be a big basketball fan, and still am a HUGE college basketball fan, but I find NBA games unwatchable these days. Why? Because the players no longer play the game of basketball as I learned it...and yeah, I know the game is evolving, but hear me out.

I know I'm over-simplifying here, but it seems like all these guys wanna do is go one-on-one all the time, and all they care to do is dunk or shoot threes. Gone is the art of passing, and moving without the ball. Gone are the days when guys would take - and make - 15 to 18 ft. jump shots. How many times do you see the point guard just dribbling at the top of the key while the others stand around watching him, waiting for him to start his move with about 7-9 seconds left on the shot clock, at which point the guy goes one-on-one or kicks it out for someone standing around at the 3-pt. line?

And defense? All you see is constant double and triple teams, and if a team has guys that aren't good defensive players, then they play NY Knicks/Miami Heat-mug-'em-on-the-way-to-the-hoop "defense" that Pat Riley made all the rage in the '90s. If I want to watch clutching and grabbing I'll just watch the NHL (clutching and grabbing in hockey - another bothersome topic for me, but this is the Suns/NBA forum, so I'll save that rant).

And then you have the players. It seems like very few NBA players nowadays understand the concept of TEAM basketball. IMO, this can be directly linked to the influx of guys who jump to the league straight out of H.S. or after one year of college. These guys don't learn the fundamentals of the game anymore, because fundamentals don't get you on "SportsCenter", or get you that shoe deal. Yeah, these guys are superb athletes, but they don't know the basics of the game. They've essentially turned NBA basketball into a glorified game of street ball.

At least in the playoffs, most guys are playing hard at least some of the time, but in the regular season, it looks as if most of them couldn't care less.

Anyways, like I said, I don't mean any disrespect to any NBA fans here. I just thought I'd try and give a little perspective of today's NBA from a former die-hard fan who can't watch anymore, and honestly couldn't care less who's still playing or who's winning.

Good post. I am disappointed in much of the NBA as well. I think we are seeing the same thing across the country as attendance is down.

I find myself to be more of a Suns fan than an NBA fan these days. I think the guaranteed money and the "sportscenter mentality" is runing the game. Sportscenter playes the big dunks and spactacular playes but often those are the most meaningless plays of the entire game.

I think the league would be helped by allowing the teams to retain and teach more than 12 players. The Suns, for example, have drafted many players that they had no room to keep and teach that turned into good NBA players.


In the end they haven't driven me away yet. The games can be very entertaining especially the playoffs. The game is a great one and certain teams like the Kings with their shooting and passing can be fun to watch.



In response to NBA players playing in the NFL; it is not just what kind of athlete the player is, they have to take much more punishment in the NFL.

 

[frdbtr]

when nobody cares about the current playoffs and draft talk is dominated by discussion of high schoolers and Europeans.

We need an expansion of 10 foreign teams right now.

We definately don't need 10 more teams watering down the talent in the NBA, what really needs to happen is we need to contract about 10 teams and then things would get closer to where they were in the 80's as far as talent level.

 

[Chaz]

We definately don't need 10 more teams watering down the talent in the NBA, what really needs to happen is we need to contract about 10 teams and then things would get closer to where they were in the 80's as far as talent level.

I think the NBA could develop more talent if the teams could employ and play more than 12 players.

The NBA needs a, minor league like, developmental system. There is a much bigger pool of talent to draw from than there was during the 80's.