hiko wrote:I could argue that outside of the Spurs and maybe the Pistons, in the history of the association, the NBA is more of a big market league.
Well, of course. Why even argue?
Basketball is clearly the sport most driven by the individual players. They drive the league. That's exactly why the sport is at such a crossroads - the players have made the league what it is, and now the ownership is pissed to have suddenly figured out that they're just glorified midwives.
Back to my original point (because as soon as I come at an argument from different angles, ee ii ee ii ooooo just cowers in the corner and lobs insults) we've had this discussion for months on the IndyCar forum. You remember IndyCar, they raced in Cleveland before NASCAR all but put them out of business...
Nobody here is arguing the NBA is big money, big market. Or the NFL is all about the "level playing field". And there's hard core fans who like both (thus the IndyCar split).
But, beyond them, what sells?
We saw the NFL using the "any given Sunday" marketing scheme to bulldoze everyone else into the dump as far as popularity is concerned. Then the regional racing series NASCAR used it (and American drivers) to leapfrog IndyCar and everyone else to the top of the racing ladder. They're starting to fall back to Earth due to some baaad decisions, and killing off a legend is always bad for long term popularity. Daytona helped. A team that hasn't won in 30 years, with a rookie driver won the big prize. Nothing says parity like a feel-good story like that. IMPOSSIBLE in the NBA.
And it's not just a Euro-American thing either, we're seeing Formula One under fan pressure to make it more of a level playing field, which we're starting to see the results of. There's a fine line of being high tech and building the best car, and having a leve playing field. Good luck, you'll never please anybody.
But we've seen over and over, competition is more popular. Parity is more popular. Small towns Green Bay and New Orleans able to outthink, outwork, and outcoach everyone else being able to win the championship, that's popular.
It's only natural. When you think about it, there are a lot more people who live outside the top 5 markets than live in them. Journalists and some fans want dynasties (if they're i the right place). Most fans want parity.