Brats end extended vacation
Just when we were kind of liking not having pro basketball going on, the greedy league owners and their greedy players have reached some sort of deal to end the current labor stoppage. It appears that the players pretty much caved in on the main money issue. Now they say they're going to have a 66-game season starting on Christmas Day, less than a month from now.
With extra fat to sweat off, the play will doubtlessly be pretty ragged well into the new year. A number of players have moved overseas and are playing in foreign countries -- they'll be in better shape as they return, but they'll be leaving their foreign teams in the lurch, which is not good karma. It could be a record year for injuries, or on-court slacking. It's hard not to see a dent in fan enthusiasm coming. But by the time we get to the endless playoffs in the late spring, the teams will probably be packing them in again.
In any event, it's going to be a season with a big fat asterisk on it. In that sense, if we were holding season tickets to the Blazers, the end of the lockout would be a mixed blessing. But certainly for the little folks who earn wages on the sidelines at the games, it's good news indeed. For them, we're sincerely happy.
| Posted at 1:39 AM | Permalink |
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Comments (9)
I'm thrilled. Portland is a better town with Nic Batum living here. Besides, college hoops was not quite cutting it.
The only enduring feelings I'll have is the general sense that David Stern is a pompous, egomaniacal jerk. Didn't he say we were in the "nuclear winter" of the NBA? What a drama weasel. Get over yourself.
Best pro basketball story lately: Adam Morrison playing in Serbia for 350 grand a season, and rediscovering his love for hoops. It's all about staying in the game.
Posted by Bill McDonald | November 26, 2011 6:45 AM
On the bright side of the new CBA (as a Blazer fan), Brandon Roy's bionic knees will likely be courtside in a different NBA city next year. With the rest of their personnel, they could be a pretty fun team to watch.
Posted by observer | November 26, 2011 7:24 AM
No brainer for them to settle, and no surprise to anyone they did. In the end even the most stubborn could not pass up the money at risk. A few hardliners will continue to posture just to save face, knowing some sort of season was eventually going to happen no matter what. Despite the media spin, losing the season was never an option for this 1%. I could have easily done without pro b-ball for a couple of years. I would have loved to see them all just sitting on the bench while we watched almost anything else. What a sham. At least I will have something other than golf to switch to for that much needed afternoon nap.
Posted by Gibby | November 26, 2011 8:20 AM
What? There's been no basketball?
Posted by Jo | November 26, 2011 8:42 AM
I wonder if the 99% Occupy Crowd will buy tickets and invade the first game?
Posted by Abe | November 26, 2011 9:59 AM
I will miss seeing Brandon Roy in a Blazers uniform.
Posted by Brendan | November 26, 2011 10:11 AM
But I like the sound of crickets chirping in "the Garden". All joking aside, it is good for the supporting cast who earn a REAL living hosting, feeding, and cleaning up after the patrons of the team.
Posted by SKA | November 26, 2011 12:07 PM
They've been frantic ever since they found out about their competition:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/11/25/basket_ball_strip/
Posted by Max | November 26, 2011 12:23 PM
I feel good for Mark Mason, the Blazers annnouncer who sometimes comments on Jack's blog.
Not only that but he's a 49ers fan - who saw that team turning it around?
Posted by Bill McDonald | November 26, 2011 1:10 PM