NBA's Impasse

Coming off one of the most successful, talked about seasons in recent memory, the National Basketball Association rewards it's fans with a lockout. Unlike the NFL's work stoppage where the two sides were trying to figure out how to split $9.2 Billions, The NBA's lockout is trying to figure out how to make 75% of it's league viable and profitable.

Can't say I blame anyone but David Stern and the NBA. Instead of marketing the game of basketball and the 30 franchises, DS has been marketing the stars of the NBA. So why would anyone in Sacramento want to pay to see Philadelphia? They wouldn't and don't. The NBA has a handful of stars and they are all on the same teams, making those few teams must see. The Networks put those superstar laden teams on every night, thus who cares about those 20 or so other teams?

Basketball is global, so there are options for every NBA player to go and play elsewhere during this lockout. In the long run, it will probably help the NBA because more worldwide fans will recognize these players. But in the short time, the lockout will benefit the NHL, College Hoops and families everywhere who want to spend some quality time together, not watching the NBA.

I offer some solutions on how to improve the game, ultimately, I think this would help the future of the NBA, but one thing at a time.
1. Focus on the developmental league. There should be a 40 team league, two 20 team conferences with four 5 team divisions. Each NBA franchise has their own development team where their draft picks and free agents can learn how to play the game. They hire former players as coaches and they play in cities close to their franchise. If a highschooler wants to play in the NBA, let him get drafted and if he is not good enough to make the big team his rookie year, let him learn the ropes in the minors. It's been going on in Baseball and Hockey for Years!
2. Hard Salary Cap
3. Revenue Sharing from big market teams to small market teams
4. Bring new crop of referees, who will call a consistent game, no more special calls for superstars, a travel is a travel, 3 seconds is 3 seconds.
5. Teams will be marketed, not only individual
6. Mentoring system to keep these guys out of trouble

I know David Stern would never read the Chaney Report, but I think he would learn from this blog what would make his league better!