I thought that the NBA season (which is already two months too long) was finally over in mid-June. Then came the NBA’s annual draft and the endless whining by Levar Ball (dad of UCLA’s one-and-done college standout, Lonzo Ball) as to who would or would not be allowed to work-out and/or select his son in the recent NBA draft (the Los Angeles Lakers did). Alas, over a month after the season ended, the NBA drama machine has kicked it up another notch again over the past few weeks.
First, it was Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks (who, like LeBron James of Cleveland, is one of the only two NBA players with a no-trade clause in his contract) demanding a trade. Not because the aging 33-year old player is underpaid, mind you. His no-trade contract pays him a paltry $26.2 million per year. Anthony, who hails from New York City, has loudly told the Knicks management that he will only consider a trade to the Houston Rockets or the Cleveland Cavaliers.
You see, Melo really wants out of New York. Well, kind-of. But just not to any of the myriad of crummy NBA teams. No sir, this prolific scorer (aka ball hog) only wants to finish his career by playing with some of his buddies and having a reasonable chance to win a championship. He believes that the New York Knicks are going nowhere fast (like every other team he has played for). Carmelo Anthony apparently likes his chances with James Harden and recently-acquired Chris Paul in Houston or with LeBron James and, at least for now, Kyrie Irving in Cleveland. The “Melo” drama continues to be played-out daily in the “We need a story” 24-7 sports media.
Speaking of Kyrie Irving, he has now become the latest in the NBA’s never-ending line of whining “It IS all about me!” players who apparently is demanding to be traded from NBA finalist, Cleveland. Why, you ask? It seems that the Cavaliers management has disrespected the 25-year old Irving (who makes a meager $18.9 million for the coming season) by asking him to play second-fiddle to LeBron James the past few seasons.
Remember, Kyrie Irving was drafted #1 overall (yet another “one-and-done” college player) who left Duke for the NBA after just one year in college. He wants to be “THE” man on his team – not just another cog in a championship wheel. Irving’s list of acceptable (to him) teams include the San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, and (don’t laugh) the New York Knicks.
Today, the latest gossip indicates that Irving feels he was “disrespected” when learning that Cleveland’s management may have recently considered him as part of a trade package to bring Indiana’s Paul George to town (too late – PG went to Oklahoma City). Apparently, Irving feels it was already bad enough when you have to be second fiddle behind LeBron James, but it’s even worse when your team is asked by another club to discuss you in a potential trade.
In my opinion, the NBA’s growing legion of young, highly-paid, talented, but increasingly ungrateful players continue to shine a negative light on the sport. The declining regular season television ratings bears this out. The NBA’s players would be wise to consider that they may be killing the golden goose right now. The constant whining, demanding of trades and player team-jumping could further erode fan interest nationally and result in lower salaries for all down the road.
In the meantime, here’s a great idea for the NBA. PLEASE go on vacation!