Does anybody else feel the way I do? With all the players jumping around from franchise to franchise, I don't feel that there's much team identity, much less loyalty that exists anymore. Yes, I realize that this is business, and that players have to look out for their futures. But at the same time why should YOU remain a loyal fan and fork out mega bucks for season tickets if you don't even know who's going to be on the roster next year? For me, my sports entertainment dollars are going elsewhere. Ciao!
It's like that in all profelssinal sports leagues. I've gotten used to it. Also gravitated to more college sports.
On the NBA, the teams have themselves to blame. The players (through their agents) figured out how to control the system and use their leverage to create "super teams". They call the shots. The NBA is desperately trying to keep player movement down by allowing current teams to offer significantly more money to retain their stars. But if stars like Durrant are going to take millions and millions less to change teams, not much you can do. (And btw, lets give the Warriors credit for having three other superstars on the roster at significantly below market contracts to allow KD to come there)
But onto to loyalty in sports in general. I am a diehard Pittsburgh Steeler fan. But there is not ONE player on the team that if they left tomorrow (cut, traded, signed as a free agent) would cause me to even remotely consider rooting for another team. In fact, they can all leave. It doesn't matter. At the end of the day, I am still going to root for whoever shows up on Sundays (or Mondays, or Thursdays or the occasional Saturday...but I digress here) wearing the Steeler's uniform.
There is absolutely no loyalty in sports, either from a player or management perspective...that notion went out the window decades ago when the money became significant. Tom Landry was fired and Wayne Gretzky was traded. If that doesn't scream sports is big business nothing else will. You just can't be upset at player movement. It will continually happen as long as there is free agency. Fans love free agency when their team signs a star but loathe it and complain about player loyalty when their star signs elsewhere.
If you don't like the way sports are today, then yes, you have every right to spend your cash elsewhere.
But diehard fans like myself, understand the nature of the beast. Root for the team and never any individual player.
I agree with this post (with the exception of my love for Lebron James). Also helps that you're a Steelers fan.
What I do find most frustrating is the exacerbation that player movement has on bandwagon fan-dom. Not a deal breaker, just a nuisance.
I do see OP's point on season ticket holders. I would not spend my money on my team, diehard or not, if they were consistently losing or making bad management moves.
Also think about it. Years ago when Oscar Robertson went to court with the NBA so he and others could have the right to work or have teams bid on there services that is the seminal moment of what you would have today. Then as the agreements with the league and television outlets grew then there was more money and they are able to receive the contracts that they currently have and the salary cap is currently at 99 million dollars. Now as the previous poster said if you are in the top 15 players in the league then you are eligible for the super max contract that can allow a team to pay in excess of 40 million a year. At one time, speaking of player loyalty, the star and the average fan could relate. However with money going through the roof and other endorsements which is in excess of tens of millions per year, it is a financial bonanza for these players and keep in mind these contracts are guaranteed. Now you have the onus on the owners to have insurance plans just in case these players do get hurt and can't play throughout the duration of the contract. Also considering the numbers that are thrown around who could say no to the figures being paid to these players. Unless one has a goal of winning a championship where a star will defer a certain amount of money so the team can retain other important pieces, it is really a dog eat dog world.
I agree with all the comments regarding the fact that this problem (if you want to call it that) is not limited to the NBA. However, what makes the NBA different is that the team rosters have distinctly fewer players, and that the departure of a super star around whom a team is built will have a much greater impact as to whether or not a team remains competitive. Exceptions in other sports might be an outstanding quarterback in the NFL or a perennial all star baseball pitcher, but even those situations will not be as significant. I guess I'm just a frustrated ex Laker season ticket holder who saw ticket prices going through the roof while the team was going deeper into the cellar and mediocrity. Anyway, Ciao to all!
I don't watch the games as much as I used to, but not because of the players swapping teams so much as the lack of overall depth league wide. There are sooo many undeveloped players that the level of play has suffered IMO. Sure there are a few exciting teams to watch, but overall just a bunch of kids that don't live up to their draft statuses.
It seems only a few players know how to play defense on each team and the majority of the the younger players need more development (should of stayed in college to work on their game, but I understand them coming out for the money).
Magic Johnson & Larry Bird retired. Temporarily regained some interest during the Chauncey Billups, RIP Hamilton, Ben Wallace reign of the Detroit Pistons...not a true superstar or future Hall-of-Famer on the entire roster. They won as a team of very solid performers, quite the anomaly when compared to today's NBA.
Haven't watched an NBA game in over 3 years, and do not see my allegiances changing in the future.