“That’s not going to be good for business.”
“That’s not going to be good for anyone.”
The exchange took place between Jerry and Seth, an old college buddy of his during The Chicken Roaster’s Episode of Seinfeld. Jerry had taken off a hat made from rat fur, and the fur scattered all over the restaurant and into people’s food when he tried to shake the rain off. Just as rat fur in the chicken wasn’t good for Kenny Rodgers’ Roasters, NBA stars like Deron Williams jumping ship to play overseas during the lockout, isn’t going to be good for the NBA’s collective business.
The fact that Williams, and a handful of other high profile players (Carmelo and Amare are rumored to have asked about the possibility), giving themselves a backup plan may seem like smart business. These guys are ensuring they continue to get paid for playing the game that they love. What’s wrong with that?
Well I’ll tell you.
Imagine that the owners and players are like two married couples who live next door to each other. They have been arguing for years about the placement of a fence between their yards, the noise created from pool parties, people from the other’s house parking on their grass, borrowing tools and returning them in a lesser state than when they had been lent, or not returning them at all, and who gets to pay when they go out to dinner.
One couple is divided. The husband won’t budge on any of these grievances, while the wife is willing to overlook the noise and the occasional car on their lawn as long the fence gets moved back a few feet. This couple is never going to make amends with their neighbors because they can’t even present a united front in their argument. How can you get someone else to agree with you when you are constantly bickering with each other?
The answer is you can’t. The NFL lockout has gone on for over a hundred and fifteen days, but it seems there is an end in sight. The reason is that the players and owners banded together. Sure it got petty between the two sides but there was little to no dissension among the ranks. Jerry Jones wasn’t out buying European Soccer teams in case there wasn’t football. Drew Brees wasn’t signing contracts to play in the CFL, UFL, or whatever other cockamamie leagues there are out there. You know why?
Because both sides wanted an NFL season in 2011/2012. They were firm in their respective stances but could stand together on that one fact. Sure there was people playing soccer, racing cars, and boxing, but they were hobbies. They weren’t going and doing the job you were locked out of for someone else.
NBA players immediately bolting for Turkey, Spain, and Germany is sending a very clear message.
They don’t give a shit about there being an NBA season next year. Maybe it is because they know how far apart the two sides are, and how unlikely an actual season is, but that’s no excuse for breaking rank. Think about the message it sends to the 85% of players who lack both the star power to get an overseas contract, and the financial flexibility to not work for a year.
It says we don’t care. We are going to get ours.
And that’s not good for anyone.
——–Corey
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