If you were in David Stern's place for an entire week, What changes would you make? Keep in mind that there are pros and cons for each decision. Both financial wise and ratings wise.
If I was Stern for a week, I'd take off the rules about what you can wear during a game like tights, headbands, and what not. This makes the game too business like and should be considered a game at least out on the court. 2nd, I'd quit making it a "superstars" game and have the refs let the game be more loose. Not so many soft fouls. Let them play like they did in the 80's. Thats when basketball was at its best. This makes the game more physical and lead to actual rivalries. Why did was the Bulls and Pistons rivalry so great? Certainly not because they liked eachother, but because they were able to give hard fouls and make eachother suffer. Same thing with the Celtics/Lakers, and Bulls/Knicks. Anyone seen the fights between Kevin McHale and Kurt Rambis or Magic and Bird going at it? This gives fans a reason to watch the games and know that it isn't a "fake", "fixed", or "pussy" sport. When superstars get the "Superstar" treatment every game, it begs the question is the NBA setting these games up so that certain teams and certain players thrive while others don't? Back in the 80's, Magic and Bird got the same treatment as Greg Kite and Billy Thompson. Thats what made the game fair. Also, I'd give them back the leather ball since the new one sucks, and I'd keep the players in the game by not giving the refs so much power with the technical fouls and flagrants.
First of all, I would dump this whole zero-tolerance BS that has been going on, and I would tell the referee's to LET physicalness happen. I would let a little trash talk happen. If someone is talking trash on the court, that brings intensity and that can start rivalries (especially with the physicalness I will allow). I would have them all watch games from the 80's and 90's between the Lakers/Celtics, Bulls/Knicks, etc. and let the physicalness, intensity, trash talk, and rivalries back into the NBA. I would let the players wear spandex again. I would give them the leather ball back, if they hate this new ball then get rid of it. Let them play with the ball they are comfortable with.I would even change some of the dunk contest rules. Instead of it being only 4 contestants and a minimal amount of dunks per player, I would make it so 6 contestants were in it, and there would be no age rule. Stern has it so you can't be in it if you are more than a 3 year veteran. I would let guys like Kobe, Vince, Mason, etc. back in if they choose.Lastly, I would change the first round playoff setup back to 5 games.
I agree with the physicality and reffing changes the other guys were mentioning. Those were pretty obvious. If I were Stern, I would not struggle so much for a player that will become the next Jordan. There will never be another Jordan, and I know that. There will be more players with athleticism that rivals his, and perhaps one that has more than his, but there will never be another MJ.As far as dress on the court goes, I would make it so that it must be approved by the league for you to wear it. I think some things should be allowed and others shouldn't; it's as simple as that. Some things are not bad or excessive, but it's not like we need a bunch of Flavor Flavs running around on the court.I would start over on this whole zero-tolerance policy. I don't think it's a terrible idea, but maybe it's the zero-tolerance part that is messing things up. Being a ref is built on the foundation of tolerance. Should I tolerate that kind of contact between those players, or call a foul? Was that incidental contact, or flagrant? I think on those same lines, a ref should know when a player or coach is making a legitimate argument or just flapping their gums. If you can't tell the difference as a ref in this league, you should be fired.I would change the new direction in which the NBA is headed. It seems as though the NBA wants to be globalized. It seems as though the NBA wants to please everyone, while remaining probably one of the most racist sporting leagues in the world. First off, The globalization of the NBA is terrific. The only problem is that it takes focus away from the home of basketball, the good old US of A. There doesn't need to be an NBA team in Mexico City, Madrid, Rome, or anywhere like that, at least not now. The NHL is failing for a reason. It is an American league with mostly foreign players, and for that reason, it is headed towards being defunct, in my opinion. The NBA has one advantage comparatively... it is an American sport. It is created for Americans by Americans and continues to be dominated by Americans (no matter what anyone says). I think when you try to mess with that, Americans lose interest. That doesn't mean we should be xenophobic, but we definitely should concentrate on making our biggest fanbase happy!
alright Tony so you are going to be that Jew that hosts this lol. Ill be that old guy thats always their Woody Paige or withe lolI would drop the whole zero tolerance rule. Im getting sick of it too many T's have been called already players are complaining about I say I would just drop it. The players can't show that much emotion anymore and emotion is part of the game. This gets the fans irretated the coaches and the players.Next is too switch the ball to the leather ball. Bringing in the is new ball is ruining tradition, they changed the look the feel it lookes like sh*t. Percentages from the foul line have gone down its insane. Many other players are complaing about it as well sometimes the players can be picky sometimes but I agree with them on this one. I have felt the ball in the actual NBA Store in Manhattan. Fells lik what all the players have been talking about it feels like those cheap balls you get for outdoors. Another thing I noticed is that the rebounding numbers have gone up because of this ball being so slippery when its wet it reduces the amount of rebounds that are rebounded from long distances.Last I would tell the refs to chill with the fouls, the players cant play agressive anymore with all these fouls. There are no more real rivalries today than there was in the era before. The calls are ridiculous you can't even touch the Superstar players such as Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James etc. Officiating has been terrible the last couple years.
Just to let everyone know, this was supposed to be a topic for a new contest (Around the Horn contest), but interest in it obviously wasn't great (eh hem... 4 responses). So now, after another failed contest attempt, it's an open topic for everyone. Just filling you all in.
