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Thursday, September 25, 2025

Controversy in Basketball

Never believe that "all publicity is good publicity." 

When the office of baseball Commissioner was created in 1920 (in response to the 1919 Black Sox scandal), Kenesaw Mountain Landis was given sweeping powers. The Commissioner was empowered to act in cases that, even if not specifically covered by the rulebook, threatened the game’s integrity. The wording granted him authority to act “in the best interests of the game of baseball.”

The closest clause in professional basketball is, “Detrimental to the NBA.”

Let's think about examples of detrimental. 

Character

The NBA forced owner Donald Sterling out after overtly racist comments were revealed on tape. With the technology available today, what amounts to proof going forward? Artificial intelligence moves the goalposts daily as deepfakes are widely available. 

Sports mechanics 

Sports mechanics "fix" games. We've all seen games where a player inexplicably plays poorly. We presume that is the random 'off night'. Revelations that Tim Donaghy officiated games to influence outcomes showed fractured integrity. 

Gambling

With the rise of sports gambling, the boundaries of the unknown unknown have virtually disappeared. From ChatGPT Plus:

The NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) contains specific requirements related to anti-gambling training:

  • Annual “anti-gambling training session”:
    All players are required each season to attend one anti-gambling education session, conducted either by their team or by the NBA.

  • Rookie Transition Program / Team Awareness Meetings:
    As part of broader orientation and awareness programs, rookies in particular receive sessions that cover gambling awareness (alongside topics like media, mental health, substance use, etc.).

  • Penalties for nonattendance:
    If a player fails (without just cause) to attend the anti-gambling training session, the CBA allows for fines (e.g. $100,000) ATL Hawks Fanatic. For missing a Rookie Transition Program, there can be suspensions.

Thus, the education isn’t just optional or informal — it is contractually mandated.

Speaking out

Supporting freedom of speech means supporting people's right to speak even when their opinions differ from ours. Speaking freely can have consequences - upsetting fans, management, or ownership. In other words, "speech, like action, has consequences." 

In response to NBA players speaking out, one political pundit proclaimed, "shut up and dribble." Invariably strong comments inflame passions on both sides of an argument. 

Contracts

With team salary aprons and collectively-bargained maximum contracts, controversy has dissipated. Experts and fans may judge contracts as overpriced or value, but it "is what it is." Athletes get paid as entertainers. Billionaire Warren Buffett says that teachers and nurses may add more value to society than he does, but society doesn't pay that way. 

None of us can do what professional athletes can do. If we could, then we could get paid that way. 

Officiating, Rules, and League Structure

Basketball is hard to officiate. It's not like baseball where machines can call balls and strikes. Tweaking the challenge system is always possible, but what is better or fairer? 

The three-point shot came about not only because of the ABA but because of the physicality of huge players ever-seeking advantage in proximity to the basket. Some have argued that the Rudy Tomjanovich/Kermit Washington incident (1977) added momentum for the three-pointer. 

Will four point shots come to fruition? Should the size of the court increase or the height of the baskets? Should Hack-a-Shaq rules be further modified? Should FIBA and US rules be consolidated? 

Is the "In-Season Tournament" meaningful? Are penalties for 'load management' too strict or not strict enough? 

All basketball isn't pro ball. If we want more access for more young people to play, we need more coaches, less expensive fees for developmental leagues, and more sanity from fans and families whose abuse of officials is driving them out. 

Lagniappe. Do we have enough weak side action in our offense? 

Lagniappe 2. So much goes into coaching. Are we developing enough capable young coaches? 

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