It’s unprecedented to think that a league that has finally shed itself of the stigma that hung over it in the post-Jordan era is losing money and racking up debt. But according to this article, the NBA is borrowing $175 million that will ultimately help up to 15 teams offset decreasing streams of revenue. It’s arguable that we’re on the verge or are entering another Golden Age of the Association, and it’s a shame that the current economy puts a damper over it.
Not since the Great Depression has the economy affected professional sports more than in the past year or so, and today’s trading deadline is proof of that. No big blockbuster trades, no moves for championship contention. 99% of the trades made were made for one reason: money. I mean, when Larry Hughes’ contract is the centerpiece of a deal, you know times are bad. Never before has an expiring contract been worth so much to so many.
(Yeah, that’s Larry Hughes. Apparently those women aren’t attracted to a nice jumpshot.)
The most bizarre part of the deadline was the take-backs of the Tyson Chandler trade. The move was purely for monetary reasons from the NOLA side, and yet they cannot catch a break on that one. Must have been awkward for the two teams playing on the same court two nights ago.
Shoals wrote a nice little piece about the current state of the NBA’s economy, and you can read it HERE.
HERE’s Hollinger’s grades of the deadline deals from ESPN.com.
I leave you with a Garbage Time All-Stars comic that represents the feeling of today’s deadline well. If you haven’t already, check out these guys. They write and draw some good shit.
Be Easy,
Yardbird
Exquisite Courts 