Re: Season to be canceled?

[snoopy1@pig.net]

At 01:08 PM 1/5/99 -0500, Jim Hill wrote:
>I for one wouldn't object to the season being canceled.  My reasoning is
>as follows:
>
>1. The play will be horrible.  The players will fight between
>themselves.  Many will be out of playing shape.  Certain players will
>not play with intensity because they are;
>
>a. "Upset" that management doesn't "respect them",>>

Maybe they haven't behaved all that respectably in many cases.  I know
there's certain players I'd be embarassed to admit to coaching, they way
they carry onn off the court.

>b. So out of shape they will be afraid of injuring themselves.

Hey, if they can't find their way to a gym, and work at their game (which
is supposedly why they're worth a gazillion dollars a minute in the first
place,) then they will have to suffer the embarasment (and maybe the pain)
of being pitifully out of shape.  They only got locked out of the NBA
venues.  Nobody slapped a restraining order prohibiting them from holding a
basketball.  

>c. More intent on inflicting "retribution" to the players who voted for
>management's offer then playing basketball.

"If I play badly, that'll show up that dweeb who voted for the proposal."
People *that* stupid just prove that Darwin was wrong.

>d. Under no requirement to actually play if they claim to be injured.

No, they're not.  But there's not going to be much of a market for a player
who gets an "injury" that is simultaneous with hurt feelings.  If/when he
"recovers", such a player may well find himself on the bench, since the
rest of the team has been doing fine *without* him.

>
>2. Next year and for years to come, the NBA will be a coach's league.
>The players who want to play will need to heed the directions of the
>coach.  (I.e.: defense, pass the ball, don't steal cell phones, off
>season training, practice free throw shooting, show up for basketball
>camps etc...)

What a concept...the coach in charge of the team.  For this, Red might even
come out of retirement and show Rick how it's done.  (yeah,  I know...but I
can dream...)


> Let's hope all new contracts will be NON-GUARANTEED like
>the NFL.  Let's hope Pitino is the second coming of Red, after all.

We can always hope.

>
>3. Cost to the fans.  I don't want to pay $150.00 ($75.00 per seat),
>$5.00 a beer, $20.00 parking and whatever $ for food to watch what are
>essentially exhibition games.

For my part, they better be talking about some serious incentives to get
the fans back.  $75 a seat won't wash.  Not this year, or next.  They're
gonna have to EARN my money.

>
>4. The need for an  (*) asterisk next to Larry Bird's first coaching
>Championship.  If the Pacers are actually working out together everyday,
>what team could possibly beat them over a 40-50 game season?  They could
>win the first 20 games just because they are in shape.  Let Bird win a
>championship fair and square.  He would be the first to put down the
>value of the championship this year.

Why?  His team is doing exactly what everyone else should have done.  They
got their stuff together, and kept working out.  I don't think you should
penalize a team that's actually making an honest attempt to earn the
salaries the likes of Hunter are trying to hold up the owners for.

I don't see Kevin (the $100 million) Garnett out there working for his
keep.  Jordan can't even tell if he'll play at all.  No.  If Indiana is
prepared to play, then they deserve to have their efforts result in a
deserved win.  Bird IS winning fair and square.  Every coach had an equal
chance to motivate their players.  Every player had an equal chance to
motivate themselves.  Larry has shown he is the best active coach in the
NBA.  His team is doing what they're told without him hanging over their
shoulders.  I'm looking forward to what he can inspire them to when he's
allowed to take a personal hand in the workouts again.

Far as I'm concerned, Indiana's perserverance has been one of very few
bright spots this season.

>
>5. Let the "middle class" players find out that Hunter, Ewing etc.. sold
>them out for Falk's "new league".

In any reasonable world, only an idiot lets a group of agents negotiate a
union contract.  And maybe a few of the players will take the
responsibility to do it themselves, next time, and not hand it over to a
pack of money-grubbing motherless parasites.

>
>Anyone have any thoughts?

Nope.  Not a one.  My head's as empty as the Senate Impeachment trial
schedule.  :>)

poof...