What team could the NBA do without?

[Fafnir]

Bobcats and Memphis.

Neither has tradition or history, nor do they have good ownership or financial situations.

Overall I'm not in favor of contraction, I think its a cop out by the owners.

[fairweatherfan]

In terms of fan support, Memphis. 

In terms of sheer "meh"ness, Toronto.

Toronto's always been a really good city in terms of fan support.  You don't really blame the folks for "meh-ness" after the team they've had to root for these past couple years, but it's definitely a good city for the NBA.

Yeah, that's what I meant - the fan support is good but the actual team is maybe the least interesting/promising in the league.  Memphis is pretty much the reverse - good young team but lots of apathy in the community.

[pearljammer10]

The bobcats fan base is unfortunately terrible. More opponents fans go to the games then bobcats fans do. Memphis just doesn't strike me a a city where basketball will succeed. I think the Grizz should move to Seattle, I can't believe out of all the teams to fold the SUpersonics had to go. The Raptors lack andy traditions whatsoever as well.

[Moranis]

I'd absolutely contract at least 2 teams (memphis & toronto) and would probably end up contracting 4 others (sacramento, charlotte, LA clippers, new orleans).  That would be 24 teams, so 6 four team divisions.  I'd cut the playoffs back to 12 teams, have byes for top two teams in each conference, and move the first round back to a best of 3.  Each team plays 2 games with other conference (24 games), 4 games against own conference other divisions (32 games), and 8 games against own division (24 games) for an 80 game schedule, which should trigger a lot more inter-division rivalries.  Plus each team would be so much deeper.  To help offset the lack of jobs, I would create a true minor league in which team has its own dedicated minor league team and can bring players up and send them down a lot more freely.  

WESTERN CONF.
PACIFIC - Lakers, Suns, Warriors, Trailblazers
NORTHCENTRAL - Jazz, Nuggets, Timberwolves, Bucks
SOUTHCENTRAL - Spurs, Mavericks, Rockets, Thunder

EASTERN CONF.
NORTHEAST - Celtics, Nets, Knicks, Sixers
SOUTHEAST - Wizards, Heat, Magic, Hawks
CENTRAL - Cavaliers, Pacers, Bulls, Pistons

[rondo987]

Without even thinking I have to immediately go with the Clippers

thats the first team that came to mind for me too. Theres no need for two teams in L.A. and 4 teams in California. Plus they are the defination of sucking in the NBA.

[incoherent]

There are about 10 teams with worse attendance then the Clips.  They Clips have fans, a lot of celebrity fans too.

Memphis is the worse team.  They have slightly better attendance then maybe 2 or 3 other teams but they have no history and horrible owners/GMs.

I would let the Bobcats stick around a while, give Jordan his chance.  

[CelticG1]

There are about 10 teams with worse attendance then the Clips.  They Clips have fans, a lot of celebrity fans too.

Memphis is the worse team.  They have slightly better attendance then maybe 2 or 3 other teams but they have no history and horrible owners/GMs.

I would let the Bobcats stick around a while, give Jordan his chance.  

Well I'm not really talking about attendance. Just because they have a few extra fans that attend games doesn't make them much more relevant. Just about every team in the NBA has celebrity fans as well

What history do the Clippers have? I honestly can't think of any history with them other than a couple better than average years with Elton Brand. Do the Clippers not have the worst owner in any sport at the moment?

The Clippers have been the worst team in the NBA for the past 20 years. Plus you have the Lakers in the same city doing what they do. I'm sure the Clips are a punch line in LA. They have just been a laughing stock of the league since I can remember.

[Assassin70]

There are about 10 teams with worse attendance then the Clips.  They Clips have fans, a lot of celebrity fans too.

Memphis is the worse team.  They have slightly better attendance then maybe 2 or 3 other teams but they have no history and horrible owners/GMs.

I would let the Bobcats stick around a while, give Jordan his chance.  

Well I'm not really talking about attendance. Just because they have a few extra fans that attend games doesn't make them much more relevant. Just about every team in the NBA has celebrity fans as well

What history do the Clippers have? I honestly can't think of any history with them other than a couple better than average years with Elton Brand. Do the Clippers not have the worst owner in any sport at the moment?

The Clippers have been the worst team in the NBA for the past 20 years. Plus you have the Lakers in the same city doing what they do. I'm sure the Clips are a punch line in LA. They have just been a laughing stock of the league since I can remember.

TP

[moiso]

The Clippers shouldn't go.  Just their owner.  He has been behind that disaster the whole time.  Change the owner and the franchise would flourish.

[Who]

I'd definitely keep the Raptors. Good market, excellent fan support. They have a fantastic foundation for a franchise ... they've just been mismanaged throughout their short history.

[Who]

The team at the top of my list would be Minnesota. I think they have a tougher time than any other team when it comes to attracting free agents. Truly at a deficit competitive wise when it comes to building a team.

I would keep Charlotte but force them to change their name back to the Hornets. That bloody Bobcats name wrecks my head. The Wizards would have to switch back to the Bullets too.

I'd also dump New Orleans and Memphis + move one of those teams back to Seattle and bring back the Sonics.

Also, open to the idea of removing the Nets from the league. By and large, I like all the other Eastern Conference teams.

[kevbo]

Great question. If I were made supreme emperor of the NBA (watch out Stern!), here's some of my ideas. Also, in the spirit of election season, if y'all could work on voting me into being Supreme NBA Emperor, I'd appreciate the support.

First, contraction. I would NOT contract any teams, so to speak. Instead, I'd take the top 20 teams in the NBA and form the NBA Elite. The bottom 10 teams and the 10 largest markets in the D league become the NBA First Division. Yep, I'm stealing the Premier league structure. Anyway, bottom 3 of the 20 teams get relegated to First Division, top 3 from First Division get up into the NBA Elite. That way, no teams are lost, and owners have incentive to care about their team's performance (you hear me, Donald Sterling?) And fans in the mid-major markets have something to root for if their team is in the NBA First Division as well. No way that wouldn't be more exciting a regular season than now.

Second, if it were up to me, I'd move the Clippers out of LA and out of Sterlings hands. I'd relocate them up to Seattle, to become the Sonics, or failing that, back down to San Diego. No need for two LA teams, when California has ample markets left unsupported. As for Charlotte, the city has been dealt a bad hand w/r/t to the NBA. George Shin burned the city, then they got saddled with Bob Johnson. I'd Give Jordan a chance, but require the team revive their ABA legacy and become the Carolina Cougars. Having grown up in NC (though in Durham) I remember how into the Hornets people were before Shinn killed everyone's enthusiasm. The Kings fans are great, but with the stadium issue, if the Kings go anywhere, I mandate they return back to Kansas City as the KC Royals.

Lastly I make Utah give up the name Jazz to the Hornets (and force Shinn to sell the team as part of this agreement) and the Jazz get to become the Angels or whatever seems way more Utah-appropriate.

I'll save my ref recommendations for after I'm elected...
 

[wdleehi]

No way do you get rid of the Clippers. 


They sell tickets.  They share a building with the Lakers.  They make good money to support a team. 


Just rename them and bring in a new ownership and management.  Someone willing to spend money smart. 



I would dump the teams with small attendance and small TV revenue. 


This way, not only is the team talent level stronger, the team financial strength is higher across the board.

[Eja117]

This may just be me but I think it must be very very difficult to get an african american kid that grew up in LA, Texas, or Florida, or even Ny or Jersey or Philly to go to frigid Minnesotta.

KG grew up in equally frigid Chicago, so I think that worked out, but I think tons of people don't want to go there. Ricky Rubio would be in the NBA right now if his rights had gone to LA or Orlando.

Well maybe not seeing as how Fran Vasquez was drafted by Orlando, but you see what I mean.

Seems like the twin cities should have a team, but gee wiz.


Actually I think the league should have one more team...in Seattle.

[Fafnir]

KG grew up in equally frigid Chicago, so I think that worked out, but I think tons of people don't want to go there. Ricky Rubio would be in the NBA right now if his rights had gone to LA or Orlando.

KG actually grew up in South Carolina, he only moved to Chicago for his senior year of high school.

Minny definitely is a tough sell to FAs.