OT: Probably No NBA Season
Players reject the owner's latest proposal and will seek to decertify and file an anti-trust lawsuit. Regardless of if the players win or lose the suit, the 2011-12 looks extremely likely to go the route of the 1994 World Series or the 2004-05 NHL season.
As a Bulls fan, I'm bummed, because I love watching Derrick Rose play and the team is a contender.
Pistons fans, general sports people, will you guys miss the NBA this year?
Who's to blame for the situation: the owners or the players?
November 14th, 2011 at 2:11 PM ^
Thank goodness. I seriously hate the blah blah blah on sports center hyping the bajillionth Celtics game, I just really don't care about it. I love college bball, I just hate the pros.
November 14th, 2011 at 2:16 PM ^
Totally agree, I could not care any less about spoiled millionaires vs. spoiled billionaires.
However I do feel bad for the ripple affected employees ie: concession, security, broadcast, trucking/delivery, janitorial etc..
November 14th, 2011 at 2:26 PM ^
That's the really sad part, the people that actually work for a living are getting screwed by players and owners. The only way a player is feeling the money crunch is if MC Hammer is his accountant.
November 14th, 2011 at 5:00 PM ^
Sure these guys make alot of money, but they spend alot too...
November 14th, 2011 at 3:47 PM ^
I don't understand how people say, "I love college basketball, but not the NBA".
That's like saying, "I love watching women play sports, it's so entertaining". Seriously. The NBA is on a whole nother plane when compared to college ball (basically - 300+ Div 1 teams for only 64 draft spots = much better product at the next level).
People "don't care" about this now because we have the NFL, and college sports (football and basketball). Once February comes around, the tune will be quite different. I really hope we don't lose an entire season.
November 14th, 2011 at 2:12 PM ^
As an NHL fan, I'm happy that this NBA season most likely won't exist. This should bring the NHL to the forefront a bit more. Maybe it will even be featured on Sportscenter every once in a while.
As someone who bet a fellow MGoBlogger that the NBA season wouldn't occur, I'm looking forward to my $1!
November 14th, 2011 at 2:12 PM ^
November 14th, 2011 at 2:14 PM ^
November 14th, 2011 at 2:35 PM ^
I'm not so worried...It's not exactly like Grantland has been putting any good content out, anyway...
November 14th, 2011 at 2:23 PM ^
I would assume not. The NHL did a weighted lottery for picks after the lockout, and I'm sure the NBA will do something similar.
November 14th, 2011 at 2:33 PM ^
No way the Pistons get a lottery pick. They're tied for first place!!
November 14th, 2011 at 4:38 PM ^
How will the draft work?
I'm ready for another high Piston draft pick. I don't need to see the sucking to get there.
And considering most every team that's good in the NBA is one I can't stand (Bulls, Heat, Lakers, Celts....don't mind the Mavs, actually), one less year for them to be successful in their current players careers isn't bothering me much.
November 14th, 2011 at 2:12 PM ^
I have to say, I'm kind of enjoying the lack of Lebron and Miami talk....
November 14th, 2011 at 2:13 PM ^
quick, into the time machine! Darius Morris must be warned!
November 14th, 2011 at 2:16 PM ^
I know hindsight is 20/20, but I have to wonder if D-Mo was given any real idea of the likelihood of a lockout cancelling the whole season. Now he has no degree, and the only real job he is suited for (primarily because he did not get his degree) is unavailable. I bet he would give anything to be able to remake that decision now.
November 14th, 2011 at 3:21 PM ^
I'm sure he knew the situation better than casual fans, who already had a pretty good idea. Morris also got to come out in a season where quite a few underclassmen decided to stay in school, increasing the chances of getting a guaranteed contract as a first round pick. Unfortunately he didn't get it. If he waited till next year like everyone else, he's probably still a second round pick.
November 14th, 2011 at 4:36 PM ^
After a year of getting his room and board paid for, and time to work on his game and get instructions on how to be a better player. Now he'll compete for a roster spot with a bunch of guys who have been playing for the last year, while he's been.....not playing. Or looking for a team in China.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:27 AM ^
Yes, Captain Hindsight knows exactly what the right answer is now. But there was enough buzz about him in a pretty weak draft that I think it was worth taking the chance.
November 15th, 2011 at 10:32 AM ^
That there was no one saying it was a bad idea to go pro BEFORE the draft, do you?
Because there were some Captain Foresights who said the same thing
November 14th, 2011 at 2:27 PM ^
Just for the record, anyone following the NBA knew this day was likely for the past 3-4 years now. Darius took a risk and hopefully he and his family took this scenario into consideration and planned accordingly
November 14th, 2011 at 2:13 PM ^
News Broadcasters of America?
National Brewing Association?
November 14th, 2011 at 2:25 PM ^
National Boxing Assoc.
National Bar Assoc.
and my favorite...Newcastle Brown Ale
November 14th, 2011 at 2:31 PM ^
Nevada Brothel Association?
National Beef Ambassador?
November 14th, 2011 at 2:14 PM ^
Darius Morris sad panda face.
I think we might be pretty good anyway this year, but damn what could have been.
November 14th, 2011 at 3:26 PM ^
We still have this year and especially the next to look forward to.
November 14th, 2011 at 2:15 PM ^
Everyone who continues to validate the players or the owners for the money they think they should be making for their poor effort.
November 14th, 2011 at 2:15 PM ^
November 14th, 2011 at 2:48 PM ^
was a great product at one time and I hope it can get back to that point. The primary problem with the NBA in my opinion is that there is a lack of a coherent and consistent power heirarchy i.e. does anybody believe that Lebron James is "playing for" Eric Spolstra. Professional sport is entertainment, and the NBA is no longer believable in that regard. As such, there is simply no drama, no intrigue. Everything feels contrived, as though the fan is constantly being manipulated. it is a sad day, because the NBA was once a great league.
November 14th, 2011 at 6:02 PM ^
In my very honest opinion, everything started going downhill after MJ retired. The first time. I can't even force myself to care anymore.
November 14th, 2011 at 3:23 PM ^
it was more awesome when guys stuck around for at least three years and there was continuity on the teams, and KY and NC couldn't gobble up the top recruits every year because there is always playing time available.
November 14th, 2011 at 2:15 PM ^
And I usually make the effort to watch ~60 of their regular season games each year. Not having a season is going to hurt.
But I don't blame the players; the most recent offer they've received is ludicrous. I'm not saying it's in their best economic interest to reject the offer - that is yet to be seen - but I don't *blame* them for responding in this fashion.
Chad Ford tweeted last night that the players should accept the deal, offering this reasoning: "I agree league's offer is one-sided & even unfair. But what's your best alternative to this deal? I don't see one"
I don't blame them for not backing down. Will it work? We'll see. But in this case I don't blame the players.
November 14th, 2011 at 2:58 PM ^
they floated the idea on october 12 (mere hours after i emailed the NBPA, asking if they were contractually bound by non-compete clauses not to start a rival league).
November 14th, 2011 at 2:18 PM ^
I won't miss it - just glad they are killing it now rather than go through the drama of starting the season and stopping midway.
November 14th, 2011 at 2:19 PM ^
One fewer outlet for Stuart Scott to come up with worthless statistics. This is the first NBA lockout in 30 years that at least 120 players from no fewer than 32 teams cannot come up with an agreement when there's a full moon, north of the Mason Dixon Line. I can't stand the NBA.
November 14th, 2011 at 2:22 PM ^
just Stuart Scott.
November 14th, 2011 at 2:49 PM ^
But no NBA means no..."He must be jam cuz jelly don't shake like that."
November 14th, 2011 at 2:21 PM ^
I love the idea of it and I love the Pistons. Chauncey Billups is my favorite player of all time, easily. I still remember beating the Lakers and being at my friends house and just rubbing it in. That said, I hate what the NBA has become. It's a bunch of divas and rigged games. We think the calls are bad during Michigan games, but play against the Heat or the Celtics or the Lakers and you won't get a single call to go your way. Now the NBA is only about money and showboating. Tradition is nothing. Teams like the Spurs and the Pistons or the 76ers or the Bucks will find it hard to compete in the future. You need to have a shit load of money and be in a prime market if you want to compete. The league needs a hard salary cap.
November 14th, 2011 at 2:22 PM ^
Good, no NBA on Sports Center.
November 14th, 2011 at 2:24 PM ^
The Mavericks will be champs forever and ever! Whoo!!!
November 14th, 2011 at 2:24 PM ^
I was just getting into the NBA again...that being said, I'm not upset about this. The players were getting over on the owners for so long and the owners were employing stupid people to run their teams. STOP SIGNING BAD CONTRACTS. I honestly didn't think another league would be stupid enough to pull off what the NHL did a few years ago. I can't ever side with the owners in these disputes...the players were getting so much of the revenues because you let them...your teams are struggling because you're making bad business deals. That's not on the players.
November 14th, 2011 at 4:06 PM ^
YES. Honestly, if you're Rashard Lewis, are you gonna turn down a max contract because you aren't worth it? Fuck no, you're gonna take it. The owners put themselves in this situation and they are trying to blame the players. It's nonsense.
November 14th, 2011 at 4:36 PM ^
"No Mr. Thomas I will not take the New York Knicks' hard earned money despite the fact that you already have six point guards on your roster. "
November 14th, 2011 at 2:25 PM ^
Now will ESPN finally realize that no one other than die-hard NBA fans actually miss the NBA?
November 14th, 2011 at 6:51 PM ^
This statement is more accurate when it comes to hockey, IMO.
November 14th, 2011 at 2:25 PM ^
YES! NO NBA SEASON!!!!
November 14th, 2011 at 2:26 PM ^
They could cancel the entire season every year and I wouldn't care. The only thing the NBA is good for is the playoffs and even that is meh in many years.
November 14th, 2011 at 2:31 PM ^
Oh man, now Christmas is ruined. Yes, that was sarcasm. I couldnt he happier, I hate the nba. Not sure if it was discussed, but nba announcers will now be doing college games. I think that is a good idea.
November 14th, 2011 at 2:29 PM ^
"The only nuggets I like are the ones at McDonald's."
November 14th, 2011 at 2:31 PM ^
With college football, college basketball, college hockey, the NFL, the NHL, etc, the NBA will hardly be missed.
November 14th, 2011 at 2:32 PM ^
the NBA, but when the most valuable assets that many of your franchises have are expiring contracts paid to players who are not in the least bit productive you have a serious issue. Guys like Rashard Lewis can get 7 year guaranteed deals for north of $100M and they are not anywhere near franchise-level guys. It kills the incentive to work hard and improve, and you end up with a lot of lazy, unhappy bums who are dramatically overpaid.
This is one case in which I definitely side with the owners. They have been overpaying the majority of the league for years, and it is hurting the game.