by Andrew on Sat Nov 16, 2002 5:34 pm
On the league is watered down discussion...
As much as I love highlight reels, spectacular dunks and great plays, I think a lot of younger players today are trying to mark their mark on the game as showmen, rather than competitors. Either that or they are one dimensional, talented in one facet of the game but they haven't been well-schooled in all facets of the game...especially fundamentals.
It all comes back to the "Potential pays off" idea. Moses Malone jumped from high school and was a perennial All-Star who ranks among the career leaders in various categories. Shawn Kemp came out of junior college, raw but with potential, and had a few good seasons as the Reignman. Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant are the latest potential stars to become stars. That's why guys who shouldn't be picked so high in the draft or shouldn't be starting are getting picked first overall or start most of their team's games - the idea that guys with potential, if given the minutes, will produce.
As far as expansion goes, we know how expansion teams go their first couple of seasons. A mix of unproven players with potential and some veterans who have worn out their welcome elsewhere, or want to recapture their glory days by going to a new team that needs a leader - not only in terms of maturity, but also statistically.
I'm not in favour of reorganising the divisions (into 6) though. Since division leaders are ranked 1st and 2nd in their respective conference ie. the leader of the Pacific and Midwest divisions will always be 1st and 2nd in the West, the leader of the Central and Atlantic divisions will always be 1st and 2nd in the East, some weaker teams are going to get high playoff seedings - at least if my understanding about the rules is correct.
To me, it seems easier to keep the four divisions, with a 15th team added to the West (meaning one of the Central teams will have to move west, if a new team is going to be in Charlotte).