Kill Loyalty. Kill it NOW!

[Monster]

It's totally about players and not teams. It's about serving the interest of the casual fan. And what sucks is it works, so it's not likely to change until a few owners stop it. I've always had this dream that about 20 or so owners break off and start their own league with a hard cap and level playing field. The NBA would always get the best players, but I would be much more inclined to follow the league where everyone starts from the same place. It will never happen because most owners are in it for the buck, and though they hate the imbalance, it doesn't trump the big numbers they pull in every year.

Here's the rub... for most of us, it's always been about the players... even back to Bird and Magic. Definitely during the Jordan era. And it's just kept becoming more and more obvious.

It's worked. The league has gone from tape delayed Finals games to 365-day coverage.

But the pendulum has switched a bit. Players are expected to switch teams... or get ripped for it. Heck, Garnett was ripped a bit, circa 2007. Imagine it now... it would be relentless.

Is it because of our reliance on social media?
More coverage?
Smaller world where provincialism is sorta dying?

Personally, I don't know how the game will be sustainable in the end if swings too far... unless TV and other rights become so universal and profitable that the in-game or local experience simply doesn't matter any more.

I'd say the fans are the ones losing AGAIN with this latest trend. But are we? Or, is it only the guys holding a hose on the lawn scaring the neighboring kids away?

I hate this trend... but I fear I'm in the abject minority and thus, the lonely, angry old man on his lawn.

As for how far this swings and what effect it has...the thing is Abe the game is growing globally and the market there is massive in China alone. Who are many of people in another country going to be interested in? A player or a franchise in a place they have likely never been?

Yeah. I get it. I know it's working to expand the popularity of the game.

I'm simply whining that it misses its mark entirely with me.

I totally get it. Do you see a player/team/franchise that has a chance to restore your faith at all?

[Hicks123 [enjin:6700838]]

It's totally about players and not teams. It's about serving the interest of the casual fan. And what sucks is it works, so it's not likely to change until a few owners stop it. I've always had this dream that about 20 or so owners break off and start their own league with a hard cap and level playing field. The NBA would always get the best players, but I would be much more inclined to follow the league where everyone starts from the same place. It will never happen because most owners are in it for the buck, and though they hate the imbalance, it doesn't trump the big numbers they pull in every year.

Here's the rub... for most of us, it's always been about the players... even back to Bird and Magic. Definitely during the Jordan era. And it's just kept becoming more and more obvious.

It's worked. The league has gone from tape delayed Finals games to 365-day coverage.

But the pendulum has switched a bit. Players are expected to switch teams... or get ripped for it. Heck, Garnett was ripped a bit, circa 2007. Imagine it now... it would be relentless.

Is it because of our reliance on social media?
More coverage?
Smaller world where provincialism is sorta dying?

Personally, I don't know how the game will be sustainable in the end if swings too far... unless TV and other rights become so universal and profitable that the in-game or local experience simply doesn't matter any more.

I'd say the fans are the ones losing AGAIN with this latest trend. But are we? Or, is it only the guys holding a hose on the lawn scaring the neighboring kids away?

I hate this trend... but I fear I'm in the abject minority and thus, the lonely, angry old man on his lawn.

As for how far this swings and what effect it has...the thing is Abe the game is growing globally and the market there is massive in China alone. Who are many of people in another country going to be interested in? A player or a franchise in a place they have likely never been?

Yeah. I get it. I know it's working to expand the popularity of the game.

I'm simply whining that it misses its mark entirely with me.

I am with you Abe. The disappointing thing for me is that the TEAM used to be important to many of us. As a kid, I woke up Sunday mornings dying to see the Vikings play. And given my age (mid 40's), I look back and realize I watched some bad years of football. Didn't matter, I still loved them. Same with Wolves. Had a couple good years, but for the most part, I have watched a dumpster fire over the last 20 years.

You are certainly correct that we have always identified with the stars of the NBA (Bird, Magic, etc), but there was also a HUGE connection to the city in which they played. We used to talk Detroit vs Chicago and Boston vs LA. I used to LOVE to hate entire cities and states because I hated their football and basketball teams. Now....meh. While I get sick of hearing about LA and NY, they have been so bad for so long that I really don't care. Same with Notre Dame.....used to LOVE to hate ND....now? Don't care.

Long story longer, I want to root and cheer for an organization. I am not interested in chasing players around to various teams to watch them play. Don't have the time or the energy.

I guess in the NBA I have never understood why there can't be a hard cap like football, thus creating some parity. I think the stud players are still going to continue to gain their followings overseas as this trend started long before the GS juggernaut.

Meh, like you said....couple old guys standing in their front yard yelling at the kids driving 40 in a 30.

[Coolbreeze44]

It's totally about players and not teams. It's about serving the interest of the casual fan. And what sucks is it works, so it's not likely to change until a few owners stop it. I've always had this dream that about 20 or so owners break off and start their own league with a hard cap and level playing field. The NBA would always get the best players, but I would be much more inclined to follow the league where everyone starts from the same place. It will never happen because most owners are in it for the buck, and though they hate the imbalance, it doesn't trump the big numbers they pull in every year.

Here's the rub... for most of us, it's always been about the players... even back to Bird and Magic. Definitely during the Jordan era. And it's just kept becoming more and more obvious.

It's worked. The league has gone from tape delayed Finals games to 365-day coverage.

But the pendulum has switched a bit. Players are expected to switch teams... or get ripped for it. Heck, Garnett was ripped a bit, circa 2007. Imagine it now... it would be relentless.

Is it because of our reliance on social media?
More coverage?
Smaller world where provincialism is sorta dying?

Personally, I don't know how the game will be sustainable in the end if swings too far... unless TV and other rights become so universal and profitable that the in-game or local experience simply doesn't matter any more.

I'd say the fans are the ones losing AGAIN with this latest trend. But are we? Or, is it only the guys holding a hose on the lawn scaring the neighboring kids away?

I hate this trend... but I fear I'm in the abject minority and thus, the lonely, angry old man on his lawn.

That's interesting. Maybe I am really the old man on the lawn. For me it was always about the logo or name on the FRONT of the jersey. Sure, I had players on my teams that I loved, but when Rod Carew and Lymon Bostock left the Twins I didn't start cheering for the Angels and stop following the Twins. I think the emphasis on players really started with Bird and Magic. And the fact they just happened to be in two of the largest markets helped propel the league. When sports become less about cheering for the home town team, I tend to lose interest. It's that way for the NBA right now for me. But the Vikings and Wild still have legitimate chances to build teams that can contend for long stretches. And I've also gravitated more to college sports. I can't believe how much my love of Notre Dame football has grown over the last 20 years. I look forward to those games like I do the Vikings.

[Monster]

I hope Abe still sticks around. I'd really miss his posts. I'm afraid the Cousins signing may push him over the edge.