blake lively
Since LeBron took his talents to South Beach, LeBron has been the most controversial player in NBA history. The viewership of the NBA has risen to heights not seen since Michael Jordan's time. The viewership on cable TV, regular TV, NBAtv.com, downloads on cell phones, live games at even the competitors arena when the Heat and LeBron were playing have made the NBA a popular sport again.
blake lively
I am going to say that LeBron is my favorite player and why people dislike LeBron is puzzling to me. He never committed a crime or did anything to hurt anyone and yet he is either hated (which is a vulgar word) or very disliked. He may be arrogant at times but look in your mirror and tell me you were never proud or arrogant about something in your life. Can you throw the first stone?
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blake lively
Nonetheless, the NBA owners and David Stern, commissioner (who appears to be on the side of the owners) will reverse the increase in popularity of the NBA.
blake lively
I think if David Stern and the owners don't come to some agreement before the season begins, they are going to see a drop and huge loss of income, not only for 2011-2012, but for many years to come.
blake lively
What if some of the great players go and play in Europe that only have a 1 year contract left or free agents now and stay in Europe, the owners of those respective teams will probably lose. We have 3 big players with a one year contract that can opt to stay in Europe if they decide to play there--Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, and Derron Williams. Once in Europe, they do not have to return to the NBA if they decide to play there and then they will be free agents in the summer of 2012.
blake lively
In reality there are so many players in the summer of 2011 that are becoming free agents or restricted free agents. So if there continues to be an NBA lockout for half a year or a full year, it will be complete chaos of where the players can or will go.
blake lively
Depending on the owners of the teams and David Stern's arrogance (my opinion) may piss off some of the top players that they will not return to their respective teams because of the greed or the way they handle the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
blake lively
There are many free agents or restricted free agents for 2012. Restricted free agents include Derrick Rose, Kevin Love, Danilo Gallinari, Eric Gordon, Brook Lopez and Russell Westbrook. A restricted free agent, in essence, is allowed to entertain offers from interested teams, but are at the mercy of their current team. The current team has seven days to match any offer or come within 10 percent of the offer.
blake lively
New viewers for the 2010-2011 NBA may not come back. One year is a long time or even half a year is a long time for the CBA to be ironed out. The money lost in the long run will absolutey be more than the stubbornness of the owners and David Stern.
blake lively
The money the teams lost appeared to be the owners' fault and not the players. How about all the players that were fined fouls (unfairly at times). Let David Stern share that with losing teams. I am sure it is a huge amount of money.
blake lively
Plus, the owners didn't have to pay a large amount of money for mediocre players. Even small market teams have stars like the LA Clippers with Blake Griffin and Oklahoma City Thunder with Kevin Durant and Westbrook.
blake lively
The owners should stop crying the blues and coach better. Get the good team players to step up. There are good team players on each team but where are the great coaches. They should know that defense wins games. Look at Kevin Love in the Minnesota Timberwoves - amazing defensive player and yet the team had a poor winning record.
blake lively
The NBA owners should get rid of players who do not live up to their contracts or the team's playing standard. If the players won't play their hardest, hasta la vista players.
blake lively
David Stern and owners, get it together now. Otherwise David Stern and the owners will be blamed for the decrease in viewership for many years to come and will reverse the LeBron Ripple Effect.
