09-26-2021, 11:42 AM
Hate is too strong of a word but I'm not sure how to describe what the modern NBA has become. Player empowerment is important and if I put myself in their shoes, I'd want to work with my friends too. But from a fan perspective, it all feels a bit hopeless. Unless you are a destination city, building a contender is highly unlikely. 2011 and 2021 contradict this, but Dirk and Giannis are the exceptions and not the rules. You could point back to San Antonio, but who knows how loyal Duncan would have been if he hadn't of played on loaded teams throughout his career. An all time great coach and front office couldn't keep Kawhi.
Look at Portland. They lost an all-time great in LaMarcus and are on the cusp of losing Dame. Both are standup people and Dame's loyalty is way more similar to Dirk than it is LeBron. Then look at the Pelicans. You lose AD and luck into Williamson, but you can't be happy because there are already grumblings of him wanting out and he's only been in the league for two years. I feel terrible for those fanbases.
Now circle back to our very own Mavericks. I like a lot of things about Mark Cuban, but I really believe modern NBA ownership has passed him by. Oddly enough, how the Jones family operates would be MUCH better for what's going on the NBA. They are full of marketing innovators and understand salesmanship and relationships.
I guess the benefit of the Lakers and Nets this next season is that I have no expectations for our own team and that leads to a transcendent level of watching and appreciating your own team. And heck, they might just surprise us.
Look at Portland. They lost an all-time great in LaMarcus and are on the cusp of losing Dame. Both are standup people and Dame's loyalty is way more similar to Dirk than it is LeBron. Then look at the Pelicans. You lose AD and luck into Williamson, but you can't be happy because there are already grumblings of him wanting out and he's only been in the league for two years. I feel terrible for those fanbases.
Now circle back to our very own Mavericks. I like a lot of things about Mark Cuban, but I really believe modern NBA ownership has passed him by. Oddly enough, how the Jones family operates would be MUCH better for what's going on the NBA. They are full of marketing innovators and understand salesmanship and relationships.
I guess the benefit of the Lakers and Nets this next season is that I have no expectations for our own team and that leads to a transcendent level of watching and appreciating your own team. And heck, they might just surprise us.
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