NBA commissioner David Stern announced on Monday, Oct. 10 that the first two weeks of the season have been canceled. As a result, there is a good chance that NBA basketball won’t be played in 2011.
The owners and players remain at odds over the salary cap, guaranteed contracts, and the mid-level exception. Stern claims that several small-market NBA teams are losing money. As a result, the billionaire owners want the millionaire players to grant them a bailout for making bad decisions.
Unlike the NFL, the NBA is a player-driven league because it has been marketed as such. There are 32 teams in the NBA, but there are only 15 certified super stars. Teams that are not fortunate enough to have a top 15 player will likely experience years of poor fan attendance and below average play on the court.
Because there aren’t many great basketball players to make the NBA competitive, the league should consider contracting to 24 teams. This would cause an increase in competition which, in turn, would add to the league’s revenue stream without sacrificing the salary cap.
Although reduction will not occur this year, the league should consider this option for its survival in the future.
Moments after Stern announced the cancellation of the first two weeks of the season, NBA All-Stars LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Steve Nash and Carmelo Anthony shared their thoughts on Twitter. –amir shaw
@KDTrey5 Kevin Durant
“It’s not a players strike, they locked us out from playing the game we love!! Get your facts right.”
@KingJames LeBron James
“LET US PLAY!! #StandUnited”
@SteveNash Steve Nash
“Why are the owners unwilling to negotiate in good faith? As a player I apologize to the fans that we’re in this position.”
@CarmelAnthony Carmelo Anthony
“I just wanna apologize to all the fans for this lockout. Trust me, I feel y’all pain. This s— sucks.”
