NBA Lockout: How upset are you as a fan?

1. 68

   Manny2437posted 12 years ago

   Personally for me, the lockout has gotten so far on my last nerve that I genuinely could care less if there is a season this year. And I love the NBA. Games have been cancelled, and the season has been tarnished. Even if there is a 50 something game season this year, I wouldn't want to be the team that wins the title. It's an unclean championship. Greed has ruined the 2011-2012 NBA season. What a shame.

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   1. 0

      Stevennix2001posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Although I can understand your pain, but lets be honest, I think anyone that followed the situation closely knew this was going to happen.  Hell, I've been telling people all year and last year that I'd be very freaking surprised if there even was a season during 2011-2012, as the writing has been on the wall for quite some time.  However, IF there's cancelled  in the 2012-2013 season, then I'll just stop watching the NBA altogether.  Hell, I don't care if they just cancel a  measly preseason game during 2012-2013, as any game cancelled during that season will force my hand to boycott the nba completely. 
      
      not that it will be a huge loss for me anyway, as i don't really follow sports as often as i used to.  If anything, I just stick to watching highlights on espn mostly.  therefore, it won't be that big of a loss for me.  besides, i can just use the extra time not watching the nba or their highlights by watching more movies. So you see, I still win regardless.   Sorry, that probably came out wrong.  However, the point is that there won't be an nba season this year, as nothing in the labor news has suggested otherwise.  the owners are unwilling to be more flexible, and the players are being unreasonably greedy.  That's just the reality.
      
      As for those hubbers that want to say blah blah blah the league needs the players more than the players need them because of their global icon status.  Well, let me ask you all this if you guys think you're so smart.  Why do European players want to play in the nba so badly?  After all, they are global icons right?  Hence, it would make more sense to play in their own damn countries versus here..hmm... 
      
      No, what will more than likely happen is that this season is done.  There won't be any nba , but next year, I think the nba will start using scabs to replace the players that want to pursue options overseas.  If the Players union decides to decertify during this time, then I think we can all expect those college kids that got drafted along with the European player like Tony Parker and such to cross the picket line first.  It seems highly unlikely they wouldn't turn down the opportunity.  Then once (in theory) the other nba players see how well the league is better off without them, then they'll change their freaking tune like a spoiled child whining for attention then come back and play.  That's basically how I see this whole thing playing out.  Granted, I could be wrong on this, but so far nothing that's happened has shown me that I am going to be wrong on this.  Sorry, but I don't see it. 
      
      Edit:  Plus, Europe's economy isn't doing so hot either, so the nba players can't expect to make up the difference in their salaries by playing overseas, as it's been reported that some clubs in europe are behind on their payroll as it is; hence i have a hard time imagining that most european teams would offer the type of salary that LeBron and Kobe would want to swallow.  Other options?  Ha!  Anyone who says that doesn't know what they're talking about if you ask me.  No offense.

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2. 64

   Greek Oneposted 12 years ago

   I'm kinda glad my Raptors will end the season tied with everyone else in first place

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3. 68

   Manny2437posted 12 years ago

   Haha that is an excellent point, great time to be a Raptor fan.

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4. 68

   Manny2437posted 12 years ago

   I also agree that we all saw this coming, but it makes me no happier about it. I'm disappointed in the NBA and all parties involved, and i'm proud of the NFL for getting a deal done and getting football started. That's how it's done.

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   1. 0

      Stevennix2001posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I don't disagree.  I think the key thing that worked for the NFL during their labor dispute was the fact that both parties even admitted from the get go that they knew realistically that both sides were going to have to compromise to get a deal done.  Whereas the NBA, both parties seemed hellbent to get everything that they want, and neither side really wants to back down.  To make matters worse, I read on ESPN a few months ago that various players within the players union and Billy Hunter both went on record to say that they don't believe anything that the owners say about their losses for the past few years; in spite of the fact that they've been shown various financial documents and tax documentation to justify the claims.  Therefore, if neither side trusts each other, nor is willing to compromise, then both sides will be at an impasse.
      
      I agree it is sad, and if this lockout proceeds into the 2012-2013 season, then all I can say to the nba is that they lost themselves a fan.  Granted, I doubt seriously they'll care about losing me as a fan, as I'm only one guy.  After all, one man can't make a difference....but it only takes on to get something started....

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5. 68

   Manny2437posted 12 years ago

   I love basketball so much that I will still watch, but I wilkl be upset for at least a year or two. NFL is officially my favorite brand of sports, it was as tie. But now I realize the NFL cares about it's fans more than the NBA does

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   1. 0

      Stevennix2001posted 12 years agoin reply to this

        Well I understand completely how you feel. I remember when I first got into basketball it was during the Michael Jordan era, and I was barely 18 by the time the last work stoppage happened.  sure, i was upset about it at the time, but I still followed the nba regardless back then because I loved the game so much.
      
      Now, even before this whole lockout b.s. got started this year, I was already losing interest in the nba mainly because I was getting tired of jerks like LeBron "Princess" James, Carmelo "I'm a selfish b*****" Anthony, and Rip "Hasbin" Hamilton, to name a few. 
      
      However, there were still a few good honest players like Tim Duncan, the entire blue collar mentality of the Bulls, and good natured Mavericks that still made the game enjoyable the watch.  However, this lockout now makes me lose all respect for the players.  Granted, I'm not saying the owners are saints in all this either, and they certainly shoulder part of the blame, but I think the players need a reality check if they honestly think they're representing anyone else but themselves. 
      
      In all honesty, all athletes are definition are overpaid.  They're job is essentially to play a kid's game designed for children, and they get paid millions of dollars for it.  How am i supposed to feel sorry for them again?  Because they have to get a pay cut from 10 million to 5 million?  Boo hoo, cry me a river, as they kiss my a** if they want my sympathy. 
      
      At least with the owners, you can understand where they're coming from, as they not only have to pay the players, but they have to pay taxes, and the rest of their employees' payroll as well; along with dealing with various sponsors.  The players only job is to look pretty for interviews, and play a kid's game.  That's it.
      
      Okay. 
      
      I'd have to disagree with you there.  I don't think either sport cares more about their fans over the other.  As i stated earlier, the things that worked in the NFL's favor this year was the fact that both sides were willing to compromise to get a deal done.  Plus, there was some degree of trust and respect from both sides.  Sure, there was those series of court cases, but you could still sense a strong respect for each other during their lockout.  In the NBA's case, there is no respect or trust among both parties, as the union already said they don't buy into anything that the league is saying about losing money over the past decade.

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6. 78

   MissEposted 12 years ago

   I guess the Mavs can live on as champions......that kinda rocks.

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7. STAFF

   Paul Edmondsonposted 12 years ago

   The David Stern quotes in the press are really rubbing me the wrong way.  The constant slamming of the players.  I can't see one side being "right".  I suspect the season will be gone and ultimately the owners will give a little and the players will as well.  They'll meet in the middle.  The damage this does to the NBA is significant.  I really don't miss it and I was a pretty big fan.

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8. 61

   elucidatorposted 12 years ago

   I'm a huge sports fan, but follow college bball more than the pros. Bottom line for me is it is hard to care with an avg. salary over 5mil for the players and the millions the owners make. Good for them for working hard to get it. Whatever. I do feel bad for the hourly wage earners at the stadiums and all the rest whose lively hoods depend on the games being played. They are the ones really hurting.

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   1. 84

      dungeonraiderposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      David Stern's days might be numbered if he keeps on alienating the players.  What happened to his smiling face next to all those big stars?  He might not come back from this in the public's view, and owners would be forced to make a change for the NBA's sake.  Just fifteen years ago he was bigger than baseball's commish (Selig).

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9. 61

   Dee42posted 12 years ago

   It's all bull-loney.

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10. 91

    ttocsposted 12 years ago

    I'm MAD!  First off, as a Lakers fan, Kobe isn't getting any younger, so a year off probably won't help.  Also, I wrote a bunch of Fantasy Basketball hubs early on.... :\

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11. 53

    ocbillposted 12 years ago

    Yup, Mavs are champs for 2 years now!!
    
    I think it is worth noting that NOT all the players had a vote. Only the 30 players with Billy Hunter. ESPN reported that many of the 400 NBA players would have agreed to a 50/50 split of BRI and a hard salary cap.
    
    As I see it, the 30 player reps see it as losing $90mil/yr but as ticket prices go up, food & beverage prices, avg salary goes up, BRI goes up as well so it becomes a wash. Really, why should players expect more than 50/50 of BRI. The NFL players get 48%, Not sure of MLB but I would also guess it is less or equal to 50.
    
    A hard cap on big market teams? I'll tend to agree with players here. Bigger cities should be allowed to have a slightly higher spending cap. Fact is things cost more in NY, Chicago, LA, Miami, Dallas so allow the owner some leeway.  Who am I for, I dunno.
    
    I do know that Rashard Lewis is not worth $20mil per yr for 6 yrs and I don't always want to see LA in the finals because they can offer a substantially higher player salary than other teams with no penalty tax.  I actually liked it when they drafted good talent or traded for it (Fisher, Eddie Jones, a young Kobe).No, I am not a Kupchak fan.   But what LBJ, Wade and Bosh did was go under the cap in an effort to win it all. Thus is good as it reduces player salaries (good for owners) so if they have to do that, they want to make sure BRI is in their favor.

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12. 82

    thelyricwriterposted 12 years ago

    I really do miss it. I just hope the entire season isn't lost at this point. I would be fine with a half of a season.

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