Why This Is Important
Please read the open letter below:
An Open Letter to the NBA League Office and NBA Commissioner, David Stern
December 8, 2011
TO: NBA Commissioner, David Stern
CC: NBA Deputy Commissioner, Adam Silver
CC: NBA League Office
FROM: Jesse Feldman, Professional Basketball Fan
League Executives:
As fans we are all glad the lockout is over. All of the venomous remarks and the looming loss of a season scared us. Many of us, deep down, felt we would have some sort of season, and were so glad when that wish came to fruition. I think most of us would collectively thank the NBPA and the owners for coming together and making it happen.
And now, as I write this on the eighth of December, I sit in sheer disbelief at the actions taken by the National Basketball Association. I am referring to – of course – the veto of the Chris Paul trade.
Conjecture will swirl around, Stern will be called all sorts of nasty things, owners like Dan Gilbert and Paul Allen will be blamed (rather than the league office), and comparisons to the Heat’s free agent frenzy will be made. My concerns are much, much more grave.
First, I would like the league to clarify what they mean by “basketball reasons” in their explanation of why the trade was redacted. It seems to me that the fans deserve to know what that means, as there could nary have been a more vague statement made. After a prolonged lockout, we deserve straight talk from our league – not shady actions without clear definition. As if we didn’t feel distant enough.
Also, are we dooming future labor negotiations? It is clear that there is absolutely no way the players would have ratified an agreement today if this action was taken yesterday. If the league didn’t want this sort of thing to happen, then the CBA could have included stronger language to prevent it – but they agreed on a deal that did not have such language. As such, they are on very thin ice in using their existing powers to justify such an action. If this stands, is it hard to believe that this will not be a sticking point for the players in future labor negotiations. So, I guess I should thank you now for the cancellation of an NBA season a few years down the line. Thanks.
Furthermore, what precedent are we setting? This scares me the most. If we assume the league is being honest here, than they have the power to prevent any trade, by a league-owned team or not. So, the league can prevent any trade they feel is not right, quite liberally. I know I shouldn’t, but I cannot help but ask how this trade is different from the Carmelo trade that took place last year. Then, once again, I am drawn to ask what “basketball reasons” are. I am sorry, but what a stupid, stupid phrasing.
People do manage public relations for you, correct?
League office, David Stern, Owners – you have now overseen one of the largest abuses of power in the NBA history. This is a sorry day for the NBA, for its fans, and for American sports as a whole. As a fan I am insulted by the league; here is a fair warning:
A lot of your fans are dedicated; a lot of your fans are very smart. If you wish to continue with one the most egregious abuses of power in the history of American sports, I promise you that we will organize one of the biggest fan-organized coups in the history of sports. You are opening Pandora’s Box.
If you do not anticipate legal action to be taken by the multiple parties involved, you are wildly mistaken. If you believe that this will prevent large market teams from attracting stars, you are dreaming. If you believe that the growing collection of snafus – Tim Donaghy, the lockout, and this – will not snowball to devalue the league during the biggest talent boon in history, you guessed it, you are mistaken.
As a fan of the league, and of the rich history of the NBA, I request that you discontinue this sort of behavior and treat the fans of this sport in the way in which they deserve. If not for us, do it for the players. Then again, it has been made clear you give neither party very much regard.
Sincerely,
Jesse R. Feldman
San Francisco, CA
