[Aizutox]

Pretty sad...............

LOS ANGELES — With the NBA at a standstill because of the increasingly rancorous dispute between owners and players, a poll released on Monday found that 76 percent of Americans are getting along fine without the league.

Polling company Poll Position released the results of its telephone survey seven days after the scheduled start of the season on November 1.

The respondents, a random sample of 1,179 registered voters nationwide, were asked: “With one week of no NBA basketball, do you find yourself missing the games?”



Overall, 76 percent said they weren’t missing NBA games, 12 percent were and 12 percent did not have an opinion.

The months-old dispute has already caused the NBA to cancel all of the games scheduled for November.

NBA commissioner David Stern has said it would take a month to get games on court once a deal is done.

Talks at the weekend failed to bring the sides together on the issue of how to divide about $4 billion in revenue.

Stern indicated on Sunday that the league’s latest offer to give players up to 51 percent of basketball related income as part of a new collective contract would expire by Wednesday.

After that, the offer could drop to 47 percent for players — who in turn were irked by what they called an ultimatum.

Prior to Saturday, the owners had offered a 50-50 split of basketball related income while players, who made 57 percent in the contract that expired July 1, have been unwilling to accept less than 52.5 percent, resulting in a $100 million annual income gap.

Players’ union officials said Sunday that the latest league offer, in which players would receive 49-51 percent of basketball related income depending on revenue growth, would almost certainly leave them at a 50-50 split.

Oklahoma City star Kevin Durant, playing at a charity game organized by Portland forward LaMarcus Aldridge on Sunday night, said the players felt they’d been backed into a corner by owners “doing their best to make us look like the bad guy.”

Durant said he had heard from fans via Twitter who are “getting upset about it”.

But it would be more damaging to the league long-term if fans just don’t care.

According to the Poll Position survey, which was conducted on Sunday, those aged 18-29 miss the NBA the most with 29 percent saying they are missing the games, while 53 percent said they weren’t and 18 percent had no opinion.

Among 30-44-year-olds, 83 percent said they didn’t miss NBA basketball.

[MrsGoo]

I went to see the Redskins play when they were scabs and it was basically as much fun as watching the regular team even though I missed Darrell Green.

When I lived in Minneapolis I enjoyed watching the St. Paul Saints play baseball more than the Twins.

To me it's a game. You drink beer. You eat hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn and crackerjack. You root for the home team. You boo the visitors. You cheer the cheerleaders.

The people on the court, rink, diamond or field either have as much enthusiasm as you do or they suck and they're not worth a fucking penny.

That's my take on any sport.

[assohillA]

The ticket prices are insane, the seats are even more cramped than they were before, and you really do get nosebleeds in the cheap seats. Thankfully we do have college hockey close by tho, more than makes up for it. The NBA could be gone tomorrow for all I care...

[55TRATTERENRY]

I know lots of ppl that like & are interested in NBA but none of them seem stressed about it..... NFL seems to keep them in a groove.......

I was actually very surprised by some, as I thought they would be pissed.......

Que sera, sera..........

[Effopsytupt]

Basketball is the one major sport I never liked. The main reason is, it is the one sport when I was young that I really sucked at.

[LClan439]

When I was a kid I played some rec ball & was just OK, although I had my moments.....lol

I got interested in NBA again when the local team played a high paced game & were actually pretty good...........

My interest began to wain as I watched the pampering of the superstars & the royal treatment they received from the league/officials........

Up to the finals in is merely an event to stage the skills of various players, rather than a contest on an even playing field....... Once the playoffs start they back off a bit..........

In the finals they actually let them play, for the most part........ Bball is a physical game w/ lots of contact.......... Which now only the average player is forced to endure.........

I am sad to say I see the NFL moving in the same direction......... Especially regarding the QB.............. Soon you will not be able to tackle the MF's..

[rNr5Di3S]

When I was a kid I played some rec ball & was just OK, although I had my moments.....lol

I got interested in NBA again when the local team played a high paced game & were actually pretty good...........

My interest began to wain as I watched the pampering of the superstars & the royal treatment they received from the league/officials........

Up to the finals in is merely an event to stage the skills of various players, rather than a contest on an even playing field....... Once the playoffs start they back off a bit..........

In the finals they actually let them play, for the most part........ Bball is a physical game w/ lots of contact.......... Which now only the average player is forced to endure.........

I am sad to say I see the NFL moving in the same direction......... Especially regarding the QB.............. Soon you will not be able to tackle the MF's..

I hate the way they are practically outlawing playing defense in the NFL

[Elaltergephah]

College hoops is way more interesting. NBA- season too long, they let too many teams in the playoffs, labor is paid too much, players change teams like underwear.

All that said, I'll hit the forum for a Lakers game in the playoffs if I'm there. I walked out of the Lakers Mavs in the playoffs last year bored though.

I go to march madness games every year, work permitting. I hit a regional. I did St Louis, Memphis. Probably Phoenix this year

[sirmzereigMix]

I hate the way they are practically outlawing playing defense in the NFL

Me too............

What I hate the most, by far, is the lean in foul........... You know fake, he goes up, lean in, make slight contact & shoot.......... Whistle blows

That is simply nuts........ They lean in & initiate the contact.....

There are a few that really, really abuse this, including/especially ko-me..........

[Tarrccrys]

College hoops is way more interesting. NBA- season too long, they let too many teams in the playoffs, labor is paid too much, players change teams like underwear.

All that said, I'll hit the forum for a Lakers game in the playoffs if I'm there. I walked out of the Lakers Mavs in the playoffs last year bored though.

I go to march madness games every year, work permitting. I hit a regional. I did St Louis, Memphis. Probably Phoenix this year

I enjoy watching college hoops as well.........

The season is way long, to many teams........

Most of the time they have little or no say in those trades-they are bought/sold/traded @ the convenience of ownership........

But I hate that as well.......... Most players have a small window were they are @ their prime........... The fact that they will likely be on a couple teams during it, makes it difficult to appreciate them.......... ALthough it makes for great jersey sales........

Also many of the transactions have little to do w/ skills & everything to do w/ contracts=money...........

What are your thoughts on guaranteed contracts???

[BrianGoldsmith]

Credit players for saving NBA season
Willingness of union to make $3 billion sacrifice should put end to selfish perception

So by Christmas we could have a 66 game season, if all goes well........ YAWN!!!

[NADALA]

The one sport I never cared for.

[Vjwkvkoy]

Boston Celtics???? TRADER!!!!!!! lol