And apparently, I'm not alone. There were some debates after the "decision" that superstars teaming up was bad for the NBA. While most of that was from haters, I still tried to consider their POV. I didn't agree that it was bad for the NBA, in fact I thought it was a boon that would create what will, 20 years from now, be looked at as another 'Golden Era' for the NBA. Well, here is some empirical evidence to support my contention. Anticipation for this season is so high, the league says 23 of 30 teams have sold at least 1,000 new full season tickets, and retail sales of NBA merchandise in the past month are up 44 percent from the same period a year ago, according to SportsOneSource.
eh I think a lot of it also has to do with the new talent that surged into the nba. Look at the thunder and all the talent they have all of a sudden.
I'm just not that excited for the start of the NBA season, not because there aren't good stories, but it starts tonight and does not finish until June 2011. 8 months of basketball with the vast majority of it meaning as much as who farted in the movie theatre, now when the final 20 games roll around, then I'll pay more attention.
I agree that the NBA season is too long, that's why I don't usually pay attention until later. But the point is that it seems clear that the events this off-season have increased the interest level in the NBA, not just in Miami, but nationally. And personally, I expect that I'll still only pay partial attention during the first half of the NBA season, but partial attention is still a monumental increase in the amount of attention I generally pay the NBA at this time of year.
Yep, this exactly....cept for the last part, I still don't care. If they could mandate rules that were actually applied evenly for all players. - If the majority of the players didn't have a thug mentality. - If they actually dribbles in between their 5 steps to a slam dunk. - If the first 47 minutes of the game was important, well then and only then would I watch the NBA again.
Don’t be too surprised that people on a football forum don’t care too much about the start of the NBA season. I’m very excited. It’s about time.
I know this will get written off since I am from Cleveland... But superstars teaming up is going to bring in a TON of casual fans, but kill off a lot of fans in small markets. A lot of teams now KNOW they have no chance - and their fan bases will start to die off. I think we'll see more teams move in the next few years because dying markets are going to be finished off. Not saying it is necessarily a bad thing - but I could see the NBA landscape look more like the MLB landscape than the NFL. When the Heat play, the places will sell out - but there are a lot less mediocre teams now. Just the haves and have nots.
Disagree, the NBA's salary cap system and lack of arbitration means there is no imperative to trade young stars before they can bust a teams' budget in the NBA. For example Bosh, he played what 6 yrs in Toronto, and that was on his straight contract without the threat of an arbitrator awarding him 25 million a season. And draft choices play far more quickly in the NBA than in MLB, so even a bad season does not mean several bad season if the team is well run.
lol. the great miami heat getting their asses handed to them by the over the hill celtics. only 81 more losses till the heat win the championship
I follow the Magic pretty close. To me, once you get into the season and follow your team regularly, it gets exciting. But I see your point; I feel that way about hockey and baseball.
Exactly, I'll keep an eye on them, but not really dig into what is happening until later in the season.
I feel you have an intelligent football mind, yet you do a 180 degree turn when it comes to basketball it seems. Everyone knows that poor shooting & poor chemistry will cause Miami to be slow to start the season. I think you'll be eating your words in January though.
Well, I was excited for the NBA season openers. Celtics-Heat and Lakers-Rockets. Good game from the Lakers and also the Rockets.
The Celts are a prime example of team basketball complete with passing and defense still is better then just signing some contracts... Lakers play great as a team and have an abundance of talent, that's why they have a good shot of winning it all once again.
Well, to be fair. They signed the contracts... 3 years ago. And then got the chemistry going in order to play complete team basketball.
I don't mind the NBA season being as long as it is. I do want someone other than the Lakers to win the title this year though
The crappy part is, from my pov, ESPN radio runs NBA coverage for 8 months and it is just brutal when coupled with NCAA coverage as well. I enjoy just turning on the radio and puttering around the house, but when ESPN has that crap on I cannot do it.
Watched the Laker game last night. Certainly reminded me why I enjoy basketball and need to start watching it again. I will likely watch this season, not just the end like in previous years. Me too. San Antonio would be nice. I'm a general basketball fan, similar to football, and I enjoy how SA plays the game.
I just want one more title for Duncan and crew and I'd be set for life. Even if their ship has sailed, the four they've gotten since 1999 have made me a happy camper for eternity. I just fear the days of mediocre ball. It's coming soon and since I'm not used to it, it'll be weird adjusting.
As long as that scouting department is around and they have Pop, I think they will be fine. When Pop goes, they will likely take someone from his staff who has learned a lot and put him as coach, which shouldn't be a drastic change.
San Antonio is finished. They’re not good enough anymore to overcome the sheer talent of some of those other western conference teams. They had a great run, though. Co-team of the decade.
My interest is at an all time low. I will make it a point to not watch any Miami heat games this year based solely on principle. i.e., no attention paid to the attention whore, LJ
But the players hold a lot more power than in any other sport as one guy has a giant impact. What we saw with LeBron and Bosh probably won't happen again - as you see that Denver is already fielding offers for Melo because he wants out. Players hold all the power so small-market teams are going to be forced to trade their "franchise" or lose them for nothing.
Or..win a title while you have them..there is that option. Holding a player for 6 seasons, if a team cannot get it done, then they probably won't get it done with that player, add in, in the NBA original NBA teams can pay more than suitors can in other sports and things are relatively equal and far better than in MLB or the NFL.
