I need you all to help me on this. Please.
We just witnessed one of the strangest and craziest NBA seasons I've ever seen. We had our first true villain person and team that I can vividly remember since the Bad Boy Pistons in '89. We had a 7-foot German wear the white hat and unite America like Rocky Balboa did the Russians versus Ivan Drago in Rocky 4. Whether you had a dog in the fight, or you were simply pulling for a team to win or lose for whatever reason you decided, there was never a dull moment in these playoffs. Awesome job by David Stern and the goons who run The Association.
However, after Mark Cuban brings his Mavericks caravan from Dallas City Hall, down Young Street, onto Houston Street and end at the American Airlines Center...the NBA season is officially over. What in the hell do we have to look forward to?
Unless you hate LeBron Raymone James that much that you can hate the man for the next 4-6 months so that it can sustain your happiness (and there are many of you that will) then this particular NBA off-season is about to suck. We're already dealing with the NFL and their lockout issues and the NBA is about to share a similar fate, and to be truthful the reading I've done would suggest that the NBA owners and players are further apart than their football counterparts. To be clear though, I don't believe the NBA will lockout. Simply because unlike the NFL owners, the NBA owners LITERALLY can't afford to go without games. However, a delay in the start of the season? I wouldn't be surprised one bit.
"But Ed, what about the NBA draft?"
What about the NBA Draft...have you actually seen the players coming through in the 2011 NBA Draft class? After the 4th pick in the draft, Kemba, and The Jimmer, I don't think the majority of you people can name anyone else in the draft. I'm going to watch the first 30 minutes of the draft, see the first four picks, then I'm going to LA Fitness, going to the bar, or hoping on the PlayStation Network to play Call of Duty Modern Warfare with the homies Elgie and Reggie.
Oh, so you're into free agency? Players moving and shaking across the league? Yeah, okay. Even if the NBA owners have the money to acquire talent (Hint: The owners always complain they don't have any money, then they sign free agents to egregious contracts so...yeah, signing will happen) have you actually SEEN the free agent list? Snoozefest.
Tim Duncan (not going anywhere)
Nene
Ray Allen (not going anywhere)
Marc Gasol
David West (not going anywhere)
Wilson Chandler
Tyson Chandler
Jeff Green
Rodney Stuckey
Tayshaun Prince
Like I said, snoozefest.
[Editor's Note: Stop sleepin' on Wilson Chandler. Totally underrated.]
Plus, there's no NBA Summer League going on in Las Vegas and Orlando this year (very underrated vacation getaway, cheap places to stay and cheap entry to watch future NBA stars) and there's no international competitions going on in 2011. Maybe I'm spoiled, but man I'm going to have to start watching 3-on-3 hoop tournaments here in Cincinnati. The Hoopla tournament, or the Hoop-it-Up...do they still run those?
Anyway, I'm going to try and push this into a positive...I will be the livest Call of Duty player of all-time. Maybe save some money and be a productive citizen. Mentor some kids or something...I dunno. I need help.
Question: How will you cope with the looming lockout in the NBA, and the NFL's ongoing labor strike? Got any suggestions for desperate fans like us?
