We have finally gotten on to training camps and preseason games in the NFL. Just when owners and players avoided a delayed season, the NBA started its lockout. And, while the NFL was able to start with only a portion of camps cancelled, the NBA does not look like it will have the same outcome.
It’s a shame that the lockout had to happen after such a successful season. While the millionaires and billionaires were preparing for an offseason that would include a lockout, the NBA was firing on all cylinders with many story lines that kept people interested and the best players on the planet performing at a high level.
The beginning of the season started with a bang with “The Big Three” taking over in Miami. This created a super team comparable to the Yankees in baseball. Every fan outside of Miami immediately had a new enemy. Throughout the season a newfound hatred for the Heat was born, blockbuster trades occurred, a new star was found in Derrick Rose and a remarkable upset took place in the NBA finals. With all of this and the rise of younger stars in the league, it is clear the future is bright for the NBA. But fans do not want to wait to see what’s next.
While owners and players battle it out in the courtroom, players are being forced to play in random summer leagues and sign contracts overseas. The players who were not drafted are left in limbo, not knowing if they are going to be signed or when that will be. People who were drafted are not able to sign contracts and go into debt by borrowing money, most likely from their agents. These rookies also will not be able to get into practice and learn the plays. This will result in them basically missing out on their first season in the league if the lockout does not end by the time the season needs to start. The entire process leaves the future of the season up in the air.
It is the perfect time for the NBA to build on its success and gain a bigger fan base. But potential and diehard fans do not want to wait on the season to begin. The delay the lockout poses could make or break the entire season. Everything the NBA is building on could be lost. Athletes are seemingly coming together and finding new ways to get out there and play basketball without the NBA.
There is enough interest that people are going to want to watch the NBA for more than just the playoffs. But NBA followers are not patient and do not want to wait long for the season to begin, much less experience a shortened 82-game season. My wish is that these issues get resolved before the season is scheduled to begin. Because for the first time in a long time, I am excited for the NBA season.