No Expansion in the NBA!!!
Earlier this week, NBA Emperor/Commissioner David Stern proclaimed that there would be no expansion in the foreseeable future. He said it to allay the fears of most team owners who were concerned that the league may have wished to grant hungry basketball markets like Seattle, Kansas City, San Jose, and Orange County-California new franchises. This at a time when at least one-third of the league's teams are financially floundering and the league talent pool is already too diluted, a fact magnified by the truncated-preseason-and-condensed-schedule 2011-12 season.
Instead, the hungry markets will concentrate on luring flailing teams like Charlotte, New Orleans, and Sacramento to new surroundings.
No Contraction in the NBA!!!
Unfortunately, Emperor/Commissioner Stern did not go on to announce league contraction, which is exactly what the league needs. Currently, the NBA has anywhere from 8 to 12 profitable teams, depending on whom you believe. Currently, the NBA has anywhere from 8 to 12 unwatchable teams, depending on whom you believe. Solution? Increase the profitability by increasing the watchability. How? Contraction.
The first stage of contraction could be modest: eliminate the six worst franchises by having them merged into the six next-to-worst franchises. That would leave 24 reasonably healthy teams, with a much higher ratio of profitability and watchability.
Particulars? The worst six franchises are arguable past the absolute worst three: New Orleans, Charlotte, and Sacramento. I'll take a stab at it: Toronto, Milwaukee, and Minnesota. Are those the worst teams with the fewest stars? Not entirely. Are those the franchises with the lowest attendance? Not entirely.
Three of the worst teams in attendance this year are Detroit, Houston, and Indiana--all storied franchises. They are untouchable. I admit Minnesota, with its Kevin Love-Ricky Rubio emerging superstar line-up, was a tough choice over Atlanta. Neither team is profitable. Neither team has a great history. Flush them.
The Merge/Contraction Scenario for the NBA!!!
The contraction plan to reduce the NBA to 24 active teams while strengthening the six worst surviving franchises is simple. Specifically, the Sacramento Kings will fold, with its roster absorbed by the neighboring Golden State Warriors down in Oakland. The Warriors then would retain the top 12 players from its 24-player merged roster, the rest going into a contraction draft pool.
Elsewhere, the Charlotte Bobcats will fold, with its roster absorbed by the ailing and neighboring Washington Wizards. The Toronto Raptors will fold, with its roster absorbed by the New Jersey Nets. The New Orleans Hornets will fold, with its roster absorbed by the Memphis Grizzlies. The Milwaukee Bucks will fold, with its roster absorbed by the ailing Detroit Pistons. Finally, the Minnesota Timberwolves will fold, with its roster absorbed by the forlorn Cleveland Cavaliers or Utah Jazz.
Where Will Contraction End???
Once the NBA is reduced to 24 teams, the league can take one or two years to see if the new condensed divisions lead to profitability for all teams. If not, the next candidates for contraction should include Atlanta, Memphis, Utah, Cleveland, Phoenix, Washington, Indianapolis, and a Dwight Howard-less Orlando.
Who will evade contraction? Profitable teams and non-profitable, big-market teams.
Here's to a better NBA, still the league with the greatest athletes. Contraction should help to eliminate the merely adequate athletes on small-market teams.
