Jan
24, 2001
NBA BASKETBALL
Fan Editorial - - - - -
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WHAT'S
WRONG WITH THE NBA, INDEED? By
MATTHEW FOSTER
As
far as the play is concerned, nothing that I can see. All the problems
that Rosier (see previous editorial) pointed out are a result of the inadequacy
of the NBA and David Stern. This, combined with the fact the journalists
who write for all the major newspapers in the States these days are generally
middle-aged, overweight white guys who could never jump, result in a league
that is greatly criticized without any basis, with every small deficiency
blown up to the extreme. Every website I visit, and newspaper I read criticizes
the NBA and its players, talking about the dilution of the league and thinking
back to the glory days of Magic, Bird and Jordan. How quickly we forget.
Instead
of Shaq and Kobe and their inflated egos, maybe a better role model for
me, an impressionable teenager, would be somebody from the good old days
like Wilt Chamberlain, who was so open and proud of the "fact" that he
slept with over 20,000 women. Or perhaps Magic Johnson, whose charisma
and charm is undeniable (I love the guy!), but whose sexual exploits resulted
in his contraction of HIV. I prefer KG and his exciting style of play and
genuine good character thanks.
When
I read my magazine of Choice, SLAM, I embrace a love and acceptance of
the game and its players. There's no middle-aged white journos here (editor's
note: hah), or at least if there are they do a good job of covering it
up. Granted, there is always excessive praise of each and every player
in this mag, but I'd much rather read about a player and his struggles
to get to the top than have somebody criticize him for sporting cornrows,
and having tattoos and a bad attitude. What one person defines as a 'bad
attitude' will often be seen by another person as 'a competitive nature'.
As the readers of SLAM would say, "Stop hatin'!" If all I ever read was
SLAM then I'd think the NBA was in the
greatest
shape it has ever been. And in most ways that is the attitude I hold.
It
is generally recognized that the players of today are more athletically
talented than their predecessors, yet they lack many of the basic fundamentals.
This may be true, but because of my age I know no difference between now
and the past. What I do know is that the reason these players are less
schooled in the fundamentals is because they have not honed their game
at the college level. How can you fault a player like Darius Miles for
coming out when he is guaranteed of going top 5, after watching a player
like Chris Porter, who was supposedly a lock for the lottery after his
junior season in high school, fall all the way to the 50s? If you are guaranteed
of being a first round pick and a three-year contract in the L, then you've
got to go for it. This is the fault of the NBA for not putting an age restriction
on sooner. There's one for international players, why not locals?
(As
an aside, scoring is down because players are taller, quicker, stronger
and play better D. That's it. Back in the day, when Wilt and Bill reigned
supreme, all the other players were 6 foot white guys who didn't know what
defense was. You want high scoring, start a league with a whole bunch of
Brent Barrys.)
The
obscene amounts of money being thrown around are also not the fault of
the players. I bet if somebody offered you $120 million for 10 years to
do whatever it is you do you'd be laughing all the way to the bank. Blame
the teams for being so stupid to pay that much money in the first place
and for setting precedents that will ultimately hurt the game. It isn't
KG's fault that Minnesota dished him the dough, it's the fault of the Timberwolves,
the player agents and the NBA for allowing it to happen. Oh, and blame
Mark Cuban, who throws money around like it's a deadly disease (but damn
man, love his enthusiasm and the way he brought Dallas back from the brink!!!).
However,
I agree that ticket prices must come down. It is absolutely ridiculous
that for a family of four to sit in extremely poor seats costs over $100
(don't forget booking fees!). Combined with the cost of food, programs
and other souvenirs it often costs between $150 and $200 for one night
of entertainment! And I don't want to go to just one game! There's at least
30 good home games a year in my opinion.
The
play in the L is solid, and that is the final word. Any problems regarding
fundamentals, ticket prices, and outrageous salaries should be forwarded
to David Stern.
(And
as for Charles Barkley knocking the league, he was hardly one that epitomized
hard work. Read Pat Croce's book).
