Bill Simmons’ take on the lockout

Very INformative

OT – i was just thinking about enas kanter.. and how he felt bad that he couldnt play NCAA and to sit out and during his interview he was saying how hes excited that he will finally be able play..lol dude is cursed.

Very INformative

OT – i was just thinking about enas kanter.. and how he felt bad that he couldnt play NCAA and to sit out and during his interview he was saying how hes excited that he will finally be able play..lol dude is cursed.

One of the best Grantland articles thus far. (the first couple weeks didn’t impress me).

Simmons raises some very good points that I’ve been thinking about for a while

1) superstars are underpaid, mediocre players are a complete waste. (how long does it take to figure this out…. Spurs/old Lakers model of stars + scrubs has been successful for a long time)

2) Advertising on jerseys. Come on, this one is obvious.

3) Min 57% is too high. Profit margins are dropping. Something should be done about it… BUT the owners are being extremely shortsighted with their attitude that missing a season doesn’t matter. it DOES matter. a lot.

4) HD Tv is a very clear substitute for going to the game. With HDTV you can multitask, or save time by pre-recording the game.

One of the best Grantland articles thus far. (the first couple weeks didn’t impress me).

Simmons raises some very good points that I’ve been thinking about for a while

1) superstars are underpaid, mediocre players are a complete waste. (how long does it take to figure this out…. Spurs/old Lakers model of stars + scrubs has been successful for a long time)

2) Advertising on jerseys. Come on, this one is obvious.

3) Min 57% is too high. Profit margins are dropping. Something should be done about it… BUT the owners are being extremely shortsighted with their attitude that missing a season doesn’t matter. it DOES matter. a lot.

4) HD Tv is a very clear substitute for going to the game. With HDTV you can multitask, or save time by pre-recording the game.

The OWNERS overpaid a lot of these guys, how is that the players’ fault?
It seems like 2nd tier guys getting 1st tier money is one of the biggest problems.
But, you need to have a system where the smaller market teams like the Thunder and Grizzlies
can resign their own guys. If that means that they have to go over the cap a little bit to sign Marc Gasol or
Serge Ibaka, so be it.

Not sure what they should do about the Hornets. One thing they can do is get Dwight Howard to the Hornets.
If they can get Dwight Howard to the Hornets for David West (sign and trade), Emeka Okafor, cap relief, and several
first round picks then that would be good for the Hornets. Otherwise, Chris Paul will probably leave.

The OWNERS overpaid a lot of these guys, how is that the players’ fault?
It seems like 2nd tier guys getting 1st tier money is one of the biggest problems.
But, you need to have a system where the smaller market teams like the Thunder and Grizzlies
can resign their own guys. If that means that they have to go over the cap a little bit to sign Marc Gasol or
Serge Ibaka, so be it.

Not sure what they should do about the Hornets. One thing they can do is get Dwight Howard to the Hornets.
If they can get Dwight Howard to the Hornets for David West (sign and trade), Emeka Okafor, cap relief, and several
first round picks then that would be good for the Hornets. Otherwise, Chris Paul will probably leave.

I love Simmons entire premise and solution. Contracts based on merit are the only way to ensure the GM’s and owners don’t spend money stupidly, although getting the union to sign off on a 5% cut and prestructured contracts is impossible.

Stars carry the game, and injuries to stars decimate teams so this provides multiyear protection against that, and gives incentives for playing well for players. Best solution I’ve heard so far, but like all "best solutions" it will never happen.

I love Simmons entire premise and solution. Contracts based on merit are the only way to ensure the GM’s and owners don’t spend money stupidly, although getting the union to sign off on a 5% cut and prestructured contracts is impossible.

Stars carry the game, and injuries to stars decimate teams so this provides multiyear protection against that, and gives incentives for playing well for players. Best solution I’ve heard so far, but like all "best solutions" it will never happen.