Why The Lockout?

            The NBA hasn't learned much since the infamous lockout of 1999. Just off what might be the best season since 1998, the league has forgotten how bad the game had gotten for much of the decade. The league forgot the hit in popularity it took. There were a few factors; Michael Jordan and a host of other 80's and 90's greats stepped away from the game, an uprising  of talented players who lacked character (hello Antoine Walker, Rashard Lewis), the league became desperate and extended the first round playoff from three games to four so that they could manufacture the Laker dynasty, and a portrayal of greed across the league. Now that the league has come so far, what exactly is endangering its progression?

             One look at the highest paid players of 2010 and I already get a sense of what's wrong with the NBA. The general managers. How exactly is it possible that Rashard Lewis ranks #2 on the list at over $20 million this season? How is it that a nice, complimentary type player, is making elite player money? Michael Redd was paid $18 million dollars this season to do what exactly? Look back at the contracts of Jerome James and Eddie Curry. Is it player greed? Who is anyone to stop a man from going out and getting the most they can for their services. It's the American dream. The problem here is that there are too many high ranking officials who do not know how to build a roster and spend wisely. Why is it that the San Antonio Spurs ranked outside of the top 5 in salary, yet consistently year after year they are able to draft well and piece together very strong rosters. Are they the only team capable of smart decisions? Maybe Billy Beane's next job should be in the NBA. I'd love to see an NBA version of money ball.

             Of course that isn't the only problem with this league. Unfortunately the league does need for contraction to happen. The luxury tax is not helping weaker teams. Though David Stern says that the league is set up to assist small market teams, they really should not be watering down the league and taking losses. David Stern should also stop dreaming about an NBA franchise abroad. He has done a great job in the last 25 years growing the league. But his magic has faded and his ambition is almost bad for the league.  Contract structures should be reworked. Last season the maximum contract for an unproven rookie was $13.6 million. But the minimum for a ten year vet was $1.4 million. No wonder there are so many bad contracts across the league. The last CBA was built on the premise of a strong economy. This time around both sides need to work out a recession proof CBA that will endure. But the NBA needs to take a hard look at its owners and gm's. They are at the heart of the problem.

Daniel Mazler
Twitter - @DMazzle

Thoughts on the NBA Draft

The Cavs missed an opportunity here. Kyrie Irving was too easy of a pick. In a league that is now run by point guards, they did not need to take one at #1. They had a chance to nab Derrick Williams with the first pick and then grab a Brandon Knight or Kemba Walker with the fourth pick. Williams is young, explosive,  possibly has a longer future, and is far more valuable. He can either be used to draw a nice package of players to a rebuilding Cavaliers team or slide in at the 3 and become the focus of the Cavs offense. By bringing in Knight or Walker, you can bring them along slowly without the pressures of being the number one picks.

The Mavericks and Trailblazers did themselves well. Dallas acquired a swingman who can shoot in Rudy Fernandez. They got a much needed scoring option. So long Peja. Meanwhile Portland got younger and faster. Good for them. They are young and they needed a younger, quicker, more determined point guard. Raymond Felton should fit in nicely with LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicholas Batum, and hopefully a healthier Brandon Roy. Roy can no longer complain he has a point guard who's too slow.

The Bucks got a much needed scorer in the Stephen Jackson trade. Michael Redd is on the decline. The John Salmons experiment is over. Hopefully Jackson can keep his emotions in check and contribute to a team that isn't too far from being ok.

Can the Knicks please release an official statement on Spike Lee's position with the organization? Strangely he was the one interviewed after New York selected Imam Shumpert with the 17th pick. As many Knick fans voiced their displeasure, there weren't any known Knicks officials releasing any statements. A slightly bewildered Lee basically preached faith and patience in the selection. Perhaps it's time to give him his shot in the front office and see if he can do better. I'll bet he can.

Daniel Mazler
Twitter - @DMazzle

All Talent. No Pulse. Comparisons End.

         I’ve heard the stories about the night the Pistons eliminated the Bulls from the 1990 Eastern Conference Finals. After a grueling 7 game series in which Michael Jordan and the Bulls were beaten, physically, emotionally, mentally, Jordan sat on the team bus with his father. He cried. He screamed. What if he never had another shot like this? How were the Bulls going to get over the hump? He was angry. He was hurt. His heart was bruised. His heart took a beating that series. Not because anyone questioned it. He went down swinging, doing any and everything he could to keep the Bulls alive. No, his heart had to endure his team’s greatest shot at a title (thus far) slowly slipping away. Instead of succumbing to defeat, the pain fueled him. We know the rest.

            Last night Lebron James sat at the podium and essentially told the “little people” that they could stop hating on him and the Heat. He told them that they could go back to their ordinary lives. Last summer he went on national television and spurned the ordinary fans of Cleveland. He was breaking their ordinary hearts and taking his talents, as well as a fat paycheck, to Miami. The Heat made it to the finals and Lebron showed the world what many of us knew during last year’s playoffs. He has no ticker. He checked out. Physically. Mentally. There was nowhere to hide. On a national level we saw the NBA’s premier “talent” crumble. We were witness to an ordinary heart. And there he sat after the game, telling people, many of whom have extraordinary hearts in living the daily grind on a planet called reality, to go back to their ordinary lives. The people who flock to arenas and pay the ticket prices which make his extraordinary salary possible.

            The NBA Finals kicked off amidst a slew of Michael and Lebron comparisons. Writers, analysts, and former players chimed in. Talent, athleticism, shooting, passing, rebounding, clutchness, any stat that could be compared was compared. Most still gave Michael the nod. Others said that Lebron has the potential to one day be the greatest. But we all just bared witness to the single most intangible quality that was beyond comparison. In defeat, Michael bared the blame, the hurt, and the loss. It strengthened his resolve. He showed his heart. Lebron turned the blame outward. I won’t pretend to know what he thinks about this latest failure. But in defeat, Lebron decided to deflect the blame and show us all how small his heart really is. Bill Russell once said the thing that stood out about Jordan the most was this, “He’s determined to be Michael Jordan every night”. What would he say about Lebron?

Daniel Mazler

Twitter - @DMazzle