Ok, put on your thinking caps. Focus really hard for just a moment. Tunnel your best knowledge, and guesstimation efforts on the following question;

 

When do you think the NBA enjoyed it’s best 5 years of popularity?

 

 

If you want the answer, don’t look at me….my guess is as good as yours (probably a little better  LOL). Any research you can do will probably point to television ratings, gross earnings from licensed NBA apparel, ticket sales, etc. over the years…but the measuring stick runs a bit deeper than just those stats. The level of competition around the world is a clear indicator that the game is more popular now than ever. BUT, is that a reason to put an expansion team in Europe? Call me possessive if you like…but I say DON”T DO IT!!!!  “Why not?”  you might ask. Well I can only offer my opinion, so here it is.

 

 

Does the NBA need the money? No. While there’s always the ambitious approach to the scenario (Mo’ Money…Mo’ Money…Mo’ Money), there’s no way that the league has experienced the revenue it has in the last few years. All it takes is a couple of marketable talents to catapult the league’s popularity world-wide. Granted, it might be safe to say that MJ transcended the game itself, and that the span of 1988 to 1993 were 5 of the most profitable years ever… but what about now? Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, K.G.,

 

D-Wade, Kobe, A.I., Amare, and even Shaq (and so many more)…all these guys still bring excitement to the game, and thus will continue to push kids around the world to chase their NBA dreams. Expansion means, that no longer will ours be the cream of the crop.

 

 

That means we have to maintain ours as an elite group...the select ones….the few, the proud, the NBA.  No more expansion, unless it’s an already established team relocating (like Seattle is trying to do).  I don’t mind European players in the NBA, but actually putting a team in Europe is not the best thing. Imagine the travel demands that it puts on a player. Flights back and forth across the country are already a huge factor in game play. Toss in 82 games and you have the perfect formula for wearing out the average athlete. To include a European team in the NBA would be like using 3 pairs of shoelaces for one pair of shoes. Yeah, the shoes need laces….but not that many. I say keep the league exclusive to this country, but not restricting of foreign talent.

 

 

Here’s another thought:The more teams (and players) you have, the lower the talent level becomes.

 

If the league were to suddenly reduce itself to only 20 teams, that would mean almost half of the players and coaches would have to be cut.

 

Naturally, you would be left with only the best players (peace out Eric Dampier and ).

 

I mean come on….it’s not a secret that some players have only made it because of their physical attributes….i.e. they’re tall. How else do you explain drafting guys like Manut Bol, George Mureson, Shawn Bradley, Joe Barry Carroll, and (my personal favorite)Will Perdue? 

 

Two words…they’re tall.

 

 

Anyway, this is just my opinion. David Stern needs to cool his jets a bit. I’m not opposed to growth, but I’m certain there’s a better way. (hint: The NFL Europe strategically works in the offseason)