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The NBA and the Players Association decided this year to extend the terms of the current CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement). They have a real chance here. Amongst the controlled substances and performance enhancing drug fiascos happening in other competing sports, the NBA has an opportunity to take the lead and move ahead of other sports in capturing the imagination of the sports world.

As I write this, there are numerous stories hammering the other sports. Major League Baseball is struggling with the BALCO scandal, involving many major league players being connected with taking performance enhancing drugs and using masking agents to stop those drugs from showing up on standard drug tests. The National Hockey League is now amidst very non-productive talks between the owners and the players association to try to come to an agreement on a new CBA. The current CBA is about to expire and it seems the players and owners are worlds apart, so much so that the owners are going to lock out the players and there will be significant time missed next season, if there is a season at all. The National Football League is the only competitive league remaining not currently fighting some kind of crisis. Although both the NFL and NBA share the common problem with some players being arrested from time to time for possession of controlled substances, these issues often don't take on any form or life on the court or on the field.

The NHL, apparently ready to close it's doors temporarily, is the NBA's chance for some spotlight time that normally would be taken up by the NHL. Specifically in the Toronto market, where the Raptors have always been the page 3 story in the sports section, after 2 pages of Toronto Maple Leafs recaps and speculative discussion. MLB attendance has improved in the last few years, but is still under the numbers the league was flaunting 10 years ago. Another league whose fans may be ripe for the picking.

The NBA comparatively has a product that, although steeped in tradition, has a remarkable ability to re-invent its overall entertainment package and offer its fans a thriving constant entertaining environment, which a lot of casual fans don't see on any regular basis.

What Happens Next Year?

The NBA needs to learn from what is happening to the NHL this year. The almost certain lock-out of the players by the owners, likely canceling some or all of the upcoming season, will be disastrous to hockey. Many insiders claim that it may result in the NHL losing the smaller market teams who have just recently entered the league and whose fans the NHL have targeted to get their attendance and marketing figures up.

So what will the NBA owners and players have to discuss when it's time to sign off on a new CBA? What possible issues do we see on the horizon? Here are some key discussion points:

Luxury Tax: As things stand, it's my understanding that when the overall average of salaries and BRI (Basketball Related Income) are calculated, then the league will figure out if the luxury tax will be enforced. The only hole I see in this is that some teams can heavily over-spend, such as the New York Knicks almost $100 million payroll, while others may heavily under-spend, such as the Charlotte Bobcats, who can't even take advantage of a standard salary cap figure because they are an expansion team.

The average figures are still calculated and may come under the luxury tax trigger, but this can't offer a level playing field, which is what the salary cap is intended to do. It would appear some teams are struggling to keep their salaries under control as to not have to pay any tax and the over-spending teams, knowing that the averages will take into account the teams that under-spend, feel free to go over that amount and remain on the verge of luxury tax chaos, if the tax is triggered. Should the luxury tax criteria be changed? Should this tax be applied to only the teams that seem to take advantage of this system?

Player Control of Personnel Decisions: I'm sure when a GM wakes up in the morning in today's league, he has to worry while nervously scanning his morning paper, searching for the name of his next big ticket player now unhappy with his team, coach, GM, owner or team mates. When will the player demand a trade? How weak will the team's stance be in the trade market after a public demand for a move? The GM job seems to be more difficult as the years go on. Player movement of recent magnitude might be just as exciting as frustrating for fans and ownership alike. The one attack the players have received from media and many fans is that they appear to be overpaid "kids" who demand resolution to his individual issues, not caring for team chemistry, wishes, or the way the fans see them.

Vince Carter recently said "If you are a fan of mine, you will be my fan no matter where I play."

Do the owners need to write clauses into the contracts or into the CBA itself that will help them take back the power of decision on player movement? Could there be sanctioned fines or options for contract terminations for troublesome players that make their way onto the CBA documents of the future? I'm sure the players would fight this every step of the way, and that may bring the fear of a lock-out in the NBA next season.

The NBA needs to study its opponents fighting for marketing dollars as any good coach studies game tapes to search for weaknesses to employ come game-time. The game is on now, and the future lies ahead, with potential for dominance and defeat. It will all rest on egos staying in check and seeing the big picture.