2011 NBA Offseason

[treebird]

excuse my ignorance, but what exactly does decertifying mean?

 

I think it means they are no longer legally considered a "union" and it gives them some sort of legal advantage now or something.

 

thank you for clarifying

[tfarks]

The union chose to file a disclaimer of interest (it was hand-delivered to the league office) rather than a petition for decertification because it will speed up the process and extend the window of time for which the NBA owners could possibly be liable for triple damages. If the entire NBA season was to be lost and the players won in court, the $2 billion they were due to make in salaries would become $6 billion.

 

This is David Boies' idea.

[RynoRules]

This is a really bad idea by the players. From a negotiating standpoint they have backed themselves into a corner.

 

The owners - if they haven't already - will likely begin to take this very personally and will want to ride them into the ground. They have far more resources to litigate this thing, and if the lockout is declared legal by the district court judge then the players will have to spend a s--t ton of money to appeal. If it is declared illegal then the owners will appeal and the players will have to spend money to defend on appeal. Lose-lose.

 

And if the owners win on appeal, watch out. They may decide to maintain the lockout through the entire season just to "teach these guys a lesson".

[javy knows my name]

And if the owners win on appeal, watch out. They may decide to maintain the lockout through the entire season just to "teach these guys a lesson".

 

What? No.

[Derwood]

Unlike the NFL, the NBA is actually losing money in several markets. The NBA players can't treat this like they're NFL players (or expect that kind of cut of the revenue). The NBA has 8-12 teams that could legitimately be considered for contraction because they're losing so much cash

[XZero771679666304]

Unlike the NFL, the NBA is actually losing money in several markets. The NBA players can't treat this like they're NFL players (or expect that kind of cut of the revenue). The NBA has 8-12 teams that could legitimately be considered for contraction because they're losing so much cash

 

Like I said, a lost season may be a really devastating blow to the NBA. You're right, they're not the NFL, not even remotely close.

 

And I may be wrong, but I was under the impression the NBAPA had a pretty favorable deal. This whole thing is an exercise in stupidity.

[Guest]

Unlike the NFL, the NBA is actually losing money in several markets. The NBA players can't treat this like they're NFL players (or expect that kind of cut of the revenue). The NBA has 8-12 teams that could legitimately be considered for contraction because they're losing so much cash

 

I think that point is up for debate.

[imb]

This [expletive] sucks

[Derwood]

Unlike the NFL, the NBA is actually losing money in several markets. The NBA players can't treat this like they're NFL players (or expect that kind of cut of the revenue). The NBA has 8-12 teams that could legitimately be considered for contraction because they're losing so much cash

 

I think that point is up for debate.

 

The fact that there are teams hemorrhaging money?

[SouthSideRyan]

Unlike the NFL, the NBA is actually losing money in several markets. The NBA players can't treat this like they're NFL players (or expect that kind of cut of the revenue). The NBA has 8-12 teams that could legitimately be considered for contraction because they're losing so much cash

 

I think that point is up for debate.

 

The fact that there are teams hemorrhaging money?

 

Yes, until books are opened up, I have a hard time believing 1/3 of NBA teams are losing money. Owning a sports franchise doesn't grant you an inalienable right to profits. Losing money? Run a better organization. Can't run a better organization? Get the [expletive] out.

[SpongeWorthy]

Unlike the NFL, the NBA is actually losing money in several markets. The NBA players can't treat this like they're NFL players (or expect that kind of cut of the revenue). The NBA has 8-12 teams that could legitimately be considered for contraction because they're losing so much cash

 

I think that point is up for debate.

 

The fact that there are teams hemorrhaging money?

 

Yes, until books are opened up, I have a hard time believing 1/3 of NBA teams are losing money. Owning a sports franchise doesn't grant you an inalienable right to profits. Losing money? Run a better organization. Can't run a better organization? Get the [expletive] out.

 

Yeah, but they have an antitrust exemption which gives them an inalienable right to bitch about not being able to turn a profit.

[tfarks]

In the last 30 years only 8 teams have won it all. The NFL is successful for a variety of reasons, parity being one of them. I'm a fan of supporting the small-market teams so that superstars aren't leaving or forcing themselves out to places like New York and Los Angeles. The new CBA can rectify the economics and competitiveness for all 30 teams. All the while the owners and players can still make boatloads of dollars.

 

Either fix the [expletive] or just make a 12 team super league and get it over with.

[bcl412]

In the last 30 years only 8 teams have won it all. The NFL is successful for a variety of reasons, parity being one of them. I'm a fan of supporting the small-market teams so that superstars aren't leaving or forcing themselves out to places like New York and Los Angeles. The new CBA can rectify the economics and competitiveness for all 30 teams. All the while the owners and players can still make boatloads of dollars.

 

Either fix the [expletive] or just make a 12 team super league and get it over with.

 

I wouldn't be against this.

[treebird]

i was very much on the fence about who was in the wrong in all this nba lockout stuff until i read gladwell's column about it on grantland. highly recommended if you missed it.

[Sammy Sofa]

In the last 30 years only 8 teams have won it all. The NFL is successful for a variety of reasons, parity being one of them. I'm a fan of supporting the small-market teams so that superstars aren't leaving or forcing themselves out to places like New York and Los Angeles. The new CBA can rectify the economics and competitiveness for all 30 teams. All the while the owners and players can still make boatloads of dollars.

 

Either fix the [expletive] or just make a 12 team super league and get it over with.

 

Isn't it 9?

 

And arguing that it's unfair requires glossing over the details. Take a team like the Pistons; they're one of the 9 because they won in '89 and 90's and then not again until 2005. There are some big gaps in between a lot of those wins. You also have something like 17 different teams making the finals during those 30 years. You've also got 6 different title winners in the last decade.

[tfarks]

In the last 30 years only 8 teams have won it all. The NFL is successful for a variety of reasons, parity being one of them. I'm a fan of supporting the small-market teams so that superstars aren't leaving or forcing themselves out to places like New York and Los Angeles. The new CBA can rectify the economics and competitiveness for all 30 teams. All the while the owners and players can still make boatloads of dollars.

 

Either fix the [expletive] or just make a 12 team super league and get it over with.

 

Isn't it 9?

 

And arguing that it's unfair requires glossing over the details. Take a team like the Pistons; they're one of the 9 because they won in '89 and 90's and then not again until 2005. There are some big gaps in between a lot of those wins. You also have something like 17 different teams making the finals during those 30 years. You've also got 6 different title winners in the last decade.

 

I remember looking up not that long ago, that with luxury tax, the Lakers spent over 2x more than the Pacers did. If I'm recalling correctly? I'm not saying we need a commie league where everyone gets to win, but it is unfair when you look at money spent and free agents and trades being heavily favored to the large market teams. Just recently we saw what happened with the Miami Heat and Carmelo Anthony. Soon we will see it with Chris Paul and Dwight Howard. In the NFL, you have someone like Peyton who spends his entire career in Indianapolis. No I don't think it's saying much that 17 teams made it to the Finals in 30 years, when the same franchises are the ones winning them. I think there are steps that can be made to make more than 8 teams win in 30 years. And the small-market owners are not budging on that stance. They want what the NFL and NHL have. And I would too.

 

Or, the 12 team super league.

[tfarks]

Yeah I think Dallas made it 9 btw

[SouthSideRyan]

It's kind of silly to act like the results of the 80s and 90s are relevant to the discussion of current parity.

[tfarks]

What's silly is that's what you whittled that down to. The only reason to bring up 30 years is to point out the fact that the NBA has been heavily lopsided for 3 decades. The owners of small market teams are fed up. They can't make enough money being the doormats every year and having their superstars leave. Stern's "big stars in big cities" plan needs changed.

 

The problem is the money discrepancy and congregation of stars in big cities. And how that will likely lead to the same big market teams winning even more. That's fine if you're a Lakers or Heat fan, not so much Cleveland or Toronto.

 

If we want to look at more current winners. Let's start after the Bulls second 3-peat. Since 1999, the Spurs have won 4 times. Lakers 5 times. Dallas, Detroit, Boston and Miami once.

 

The winners become a bit more varied, but look at the markets. Detroit bucked the trend, that's it. In 12 years. So it's great to say oh look, it's not that bad, more teams are winning...kinda. When the same teams are getting [expletive] on.

 

I'd prefer to see more teams like OKC in the league. Rather than LA reloading with Dwight Howard and Chris Paul going to the Knicks.

 

Or I wouldn't, I'm also cool with the super league. The doormats would have to go though.

[SouthSideRyan]

Damn sick and tired of the big market Spurs winning so much.

 

I will not rest until the small market Clippers are allowed to compete on an even footing .

[tfarks]

Damn sick and tired of the big market Spurs winning so much.

 

I will not rest until the small market Clippers are allowed to compete on an even footing .

 

That's fine. Doesn't matter what you want. Unless you own an NBA team and haven't told us?

[tfarks]

The Clippers aren't complaining about not winning.

 

The Timberwolves are complaining about losing money. Oh what do you know, a small-market team that lost a superstar to a big-market team.

[Sammy Sofa]

Yeah, but they're the Timberwolves. Who cares what they want?

[SouthSideRyan]

Metro Area Rankings (Teams in order by payroll)

 

Lakers - 2nd

Magic - 26th

Mavs - 4th

Celtics - 10th

Nuggets - 21st

Rockets - 6th

Jazz - 50th

76ers - 5th

Hawks - 9th

Hornets - 46th

Grizzlies - 41st

Bucks - 39th

Blazers - 23rd

Spurs - 25th

Pistons - 12th

Warriors - 11th

Pacers - 34th

Bobcats - 33rd

Nets - 1st

Suns - 14th

Heat - 8th

Wizards - 7th

Cavs - 28th

Thunder - 44th

Raptors - 9th (5.5M metro area, would slot in here for US listing)

Knicks -1st

Clippers - 2nd

Bulls - 3rd

Kings - 24th

T-Wolves - 16th

[tfarks]

Oh they should have re-signed Bosh then.