I do not vigorously follow basketball. Watching 7 foot tall men running up and down a wooden floor does not appeal to me, nor do my eyes have the endurance to follow these behemoths. The only things I know about the game is what my CYO coach taught me and the "groundbreaking" revelations and discoveries Colin Cowherd comes up with on SportsNation. But I am intelligent enough to make an assumption and generalize the real problem with the NBA. Judging from the standings, three of the bottom six teams have lost their star player, within the last 2 years, to a loaded team that is in either 1st or 2nd place in their division. Before Lebron left Cleveland, the Cavs were contenders and recently champions, now the Heat are unstoppable and possibly, perennial champions. Chris Paul's Hornets had showed potential in recent years, as contenders in the Southwest division. now the LA Clippers have turned themselves around as Paul joins the Blake Show in the City of Angels. Although Toronto never was very good, since losing Chris Bosh, they have become even worse, and again the Heat have become a full year version of an All Star team. But now, they and the Nets are volleying for last place in their division. When this happens, you know you're bad. You could argue that the Knicks could be on this list, as they have brought in Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire, but Amar'e has been hurt, and the Knicks are in contention because of great, young nobodies like Baron Davis, Tyson Chandler, and Linsanity, before it ended with a season ending injury.
The markets of these teams have decreased and the hopes of a title have diminished. The NBA needs to intercede on team transactions, as the big market teams are stacking themselves to compete for a title. In football and baseball, there never has been as much a visible and impacting difference in the league after big name free agent signings. Basketball is a game where you need a star. You need a stud point guard, a forceful power forward, or a consistent shooting guard. Without the big names and big talent on the hardwood, teams can't compete with teams that contain the likes of Big Threes. The 76ers are a good team, but without a star, they won't win a title. The year to year playoff contenders are fairly consistent, except when someone big goes, but every year it seems like the same teams are out there. The NBA needs to come up with a system of limiting free agent signings, and supporting players to stay with their draft teams.
If the NBA instills something similar to this, the playoffs would be much more competitive and the NBA title would be determined much, much more fairly. The Lakers will still be very good, so will the Spurs, and likewise the Heat, but I feel that winning a title would be all the more rewarding and exciting. Players like James and Kobe enjoy being the best on their team and love the accolades entitled to them as a result of their team's success. These guys hate being equal with their teammates and despise being belittled. Wouldn't you want to be the best player on a title team with 4 good role playing guys, rather than an equal on a title team of purchased superstars?
The markets of these teams have decreased and the hopes of a title have diminished. The NBA needs to intercede on team transactions, as the big market teams are stacking themselves to compete for a title. In football and baseball, there never has been as much a visible and impacting difference in the league after big name free agent signings. Basketball is a game where you need a star. You need a stud point guard, a forceful power forward, or a consistent shooting guard. Without the big names and big talent on the hardwood, teams can't compete with teams that contain the likes of Big Threes. The 76ers are a good team, but without a star, they won't win a title. The year to year playoff contenders are fairly consistent, except when someone big goes, but every year it seems like the same teams are out there. The NBA needs to come up with a system of limiting free agent signings, and supporting players to stay with their draft teams.
If the NBA instills something similar to this, the playoffs would be much more competitive and the NBA title would be determined much, much more fairly. The Lakers will still be very good, so will the Spurs, and likewise the Heat, but I feel that winning a title would be all the more rewarding and exciting. Players like James and Kobe enjoy being the best on their team and love the accolades entitled to them as a result of their team's success. These guys hate being equal with their teammates and despise being belittled. Wouldn't you want to be the best player on a title team with 4 good role playing guys, rather than an equal on a title team of purchased superstars?
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