The NBA really got my attention when they began issuing technicals for passion and emotion reactions. How could you illegalize those two factors? They are an integral part of what make us human. Sports is played by human beings, not robots. The NBA is charging $2000-$5000 per technical (up to 16). Someone will have to tell me that the money collected for those frivolous technicals go toward charity or toward some scholarship fund. If that's not the case, then this is extortion.
The players work hard for their money and its not fair that league officials can take it away based on their whims and fancies. It makes me wonder if the commissioner ever played ball, or any sport for that matter. Huh? I've never heard of anyhting so ridiculous. Take soccer for instance; a player might get booked by the referee and his team mates may zealously approach the refree in his/her defence. They don't get booked themselves for doing so. The player may react strongly to a call and walk away and that's the end of that. Look at all the hockey fights. I don't condone violence but basketball needs passion and emotion. Athletes need it. In fact, they thrive on it. Why is the commissioner softening basketball?
I am a strong advocate of the free market system. The NBA has gotten fat around the waist; yet the league is always complaining each year that they are not making enough money. The NBA has no competition. Competition is the American way. The NBA has a monopoly over US professional basketball. Monopoly robs the consumer (and players) of their sovreignity and stiffles competition. They become like cogs in the wheel.
Here is what I suggest: Players and other wealthy basketball enthusiasts should form their own league. The new league can be named Freedom Basketball League (FreeBaL). Oprah Winfrey started her OWN broadcasting network. You go girl! This is the American way. Own something.
I am not impressed with retired professional athletes getting fat and lazy and settling for mediocre announcer/analyst jobs. Boring.
The format could be as follows:
1. Form a corporation with a solid corporate structure.
2. Pool your financial resources together and form your own bank. It can be named FreedomBank. It is very important to control your own financing. In so doing you control your destiny.
3. Retired (once a star always a star) stars, current stars, mega fans, private enterprise and coaches should get involved here.
Special shoutout to retired stars: Charles Barkley, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Magic Johnson, Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Kenny Smith, Chris Webber, Kevin McHale, James Worthy, Greg Anthony, Steve Smith, Steve Kerr, Bill Russell, Isaiah Thomas, Dennis Rodman, Reggie Miller, Dennis Scott, Karl Malone, John Stockton and many more.
Special shout out to current stars: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, ShaQuille O'Neal, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Tim Duncan, Jason Kidd, Lamar Odom, Grant Hill, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Carlos Boozer, Dwight Howard, Deron Williams and company.
Shoutout also to mega fans Spike Lee, Jack Nicholson, Jay-Z and Beyonce, Sylvester Stallone, etc.
Shoutout to coaches Phil Jackson, Greg Popovich, Byron Scott, Avery Johnson, Larry Brown, Pat Riley, Coach K and others.
Shoutout to all WNBA greats. Diana Taurasi, Candace Parker, Lisa Leslie, Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes, Cheryl Miller, Tina Charles and soon to be Maya Moore, to name but a few.
Big businesses, you are welcome to chip in also. Donald Trump, Bill Gates, Nike and all the other big boys.
In this great country, we have talent and resources. Competition makes everyone better and it benefits the consumer; so what are we waiting for?
Referees, so long as you remember that fans come to see players and not referees then we gonna get along just fine. You won't be given job security but instead job technology to get calls right. You will be terminated for too many (amount to be determined)technological replays due to bad calls. The fans will be calling for technological replays. Beware. Get it right. Feel the ire that players and fans feel when you goof up.
4. Issue shares to all the above mentioned (except referees). Make them owners of FreeBaL and FreedomBank.
5. Select players and make teams. FreedomBank and FreeBaL will allow individuals or groups of shareholders to purchase these teams.
6. Unlike the NBA, players will be selected on the basis of talent and character , not on the basis of high school or college intellect. Special love to street ballers and ex-convicts (except murderers, rapists, pedofiles and armed robbers). This can probably be an incentive not to commit crimes. More players should be allowed to play and make some money. This is about equal and fair opportunity and society giving someone a second chance to redeem his/herself.
I don't think there should be salary caps. Cities should not be punished for being big and players should have a say from day one who they want to play for. In addition onganizations that spend a lot of money and are well run should not be restricted to silly salary caps. Trade deadlines are ok though but let's not make a big deal about it.
7. There should be several divisions, e.g Premier, First, Second, Third and Junior (10-14 yrs old). Everyone should get paid. A little is a feast.
8. Initially, playing facilities could be rented.
9. Every arena will have strong security. Public safety is a primary concern.
10. The legal age should be at least 15 years. If your parents are poor then there's nothing wrong in earning your keeps early. You must finish high school at least. You can go part-time. You must obey the laws of the land. Like lawn tennis, you can come in earlier (if you're good enough to be on a team).
11. Choose a real Commissioner. Sir Charles(Barkley) is my pick for first FreeBaL Commissioner. Magic you will be the first President of FreedomBank. Mr.Greg Anthony you will be FreeBaL's spokesman. Michael you will be Deputy Commissioner/Owner.
12. Oprah's network, OWN, can be the host network of course.
Let's get this going guys. Give basketball a shot in the arm. Open up the doors wider for more young people. The NBA is a very tough league to get into. It is not fair that its players are being "legally" robbed of their money. Robbery is robbery. The NBA should rescind this rule and return the stolen money to the players on which those frivolous technicals have been called to date. America is a great and fair country. You are innocent until proven guilty. The punishment shouldn't outweigh the crime.
Passion and emotion belong in sports.
