It’s important to remember 1988. Because in order for the NBA to save itself, it will need an overhaul of its revenue sharing system among its owners, an overhaul of its collective bargaining agreement with its players and a time machine.
NBA Needs System Overhaul, Even If It Takes Lockout
I often wish we could go back to 1988. And not because I would have fared much better on many first dates and would have bought lots of Apple stock if I knew over the years what I know now.
You see, 1988 was the last year in which the NBA had just 23 teams (before the league expanded to 27 over the next two seasons, 29 seven years later and 30 six years ago). It was also nearing the end of an era in which players played at the privilege of the franchises, fans and communities willing to pay them millions of dollars to throw a leather ball into a basket. Rather than position themselves to hand-pick their new team, (most) players were content to take their millions and then live wherever they wanted in the offseason. For example, Reggie Miller may have been an Indiana Pacer for life, but he spent his offseason near his childhood home in Los Angeles. Similarly, Larry Bird made Boston home during the season and French Lick, Indiana home in the offseason.
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