First, Pat Riley announces that he is going to take some time away from the team to scout college players. Next, Dwayne Wade shuts it down for the rest of the season so he is healthy for the Olympics.
I watched some ESPN programs yesterday and unanimously, these moves were looked upon favorably. Basically, the opinion was that it was a good business move to give Wade time to rest and that it improves the Heat's chances to draft Michael Beasley. Even when asked how they would feel if they were a Heat season ticket holder, many said they approved because they'll be a season ticket holder next year when the Heat have a healthy Wade and maybe Beasley.
I cannot believe the degree to which these moves are accepted and even applauded as prudent business decisions. This is why I like the European system of promotion and relegation. The Heat's season would be far more interesting if they faced the potential demotion to the NBDL next season if they finished in the bottom three. After all, why reward a team for throwing a quarter of its season?
If Wade is really injured, I understand the precaution even if it makes a quarter of the season meaningless. However, I cannot believe people accept a coach abandoning the bench to scout college players. I know Riley is the President and must make the all-important draft pick. However, that's why you employ scouts and a General Manager. I think Riley abdicating his coaching responsibilities completely undermines the NBA season. I can't decide whether this is worse than the last time he quit when the Heat were struggling, only to return when they were playing better.
These scenarios simply illustrate that the NBA is a big business. Players are mini-corporations. Converse, Gatorade and T-Mobile don't want to see Wade playing sub-par basketball and they certainly want him healthy to participate in the Olympics, since everyone is so enamored with China's buying power.
I understand all the reasons, and don't want Wade to injure himself further, but it further hurts the credibility and integrity of the NBA, which is trying to restore its credibility after the Tim Donaghy scandal.
When a professional sports league is simply a big business, it hurts the fans and the sanctity of the game. If fans can't believe their heroes are going out to give an honest effort, and instead shut down their season's to prepare for the Olympics, try to acquire a higher draft pick or maybe use steroids, what is there for fans to believe in?
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
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4 comments:
yes promotion and demotion are great - they make a lot of european sports' seasons interseting till the very end for just about everyone... and these are big businesses too!
Interesting concept but if that was in place last season we would not have the Boston Celtics in first place in the NBA this season.
So what if we wouldn't have the Celtics this year? We also wouldn't be stuck with the tanking Heat, Sonics and Grizz because they'd be playing for something.
And, maybe Sioux City or Bakersfield or whoever won the NBDL and earned promotion to the NBA would have acquired KG and Ray Allen. Sure, it lacks the Celtics pedigree, but it makes for a more equitable and competitive league. I'm sick of turning on the TV and seeing the Heat flounder.
It would put more pressure on owners, GMs, coaches and players to perform because they cannot wait for next season for a do-over. Anything that increases the value of the competition for the fans' sake, I favor.
Plus, it would make the NBDL, or a newly constructed second division, far more relevant.
Why not take the top 20 NBA teams and call it the NBA and demote the next 10 to the Second Division. The NBA teams play 2 home and 2 away games against every other team in the league. The Second Division teams play 3 home and 3 away games against the other second division teams plus 1 home and 1 away game with all the NBDL teams.
Top 3 records in the second division earn promotion and the bottom three teams in the NBA are relegated to the Second Division.
Give the top 3 picks in the draft to the 3 teams earning promotion from the 2nd division to the NBA.
Eliminate one round of the play-offs so only 8 teams make the play-offs. Talk about making every game meaningful.
Right now, the rest of the season is meaningless for over a quarter of the NBA, as teams like the Heat, Knicks, Sonics, Grizz, Kings, etc have no play-off hopes and the Celtics and Pistons are already in the play-offs.
Imagine if only the top 8 made the play-offs. The battle between Cleveland, Golden State, Dallas, Toronto, Houston, San Antonio, Utah, Denver, etc. And, the battle at the bottom to avoid relegation. Every game would be like the top 9 in the Western Conference this season.
I don't have an especially great understanding of NBA politics but I think that is a very good idea, and just one of several things that we are used to in Europe in all sports that would make the NBA more interesting (no piped in sound would be another). However I think it would be very difficult to get owners or players to agree to this now because they are so used to a single league and would be very worried about loss of revenue and marketing space. Another thing that really annoys me about the NBA is the constant building of new arenas and relocation - how do you people put up with paying extra tax to watch sports?
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