LeBron James says downsizing could make NBA more popular
LeBron aka King James produced one of his most blazing performances this season to stun the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night.
The Suns though were not the only one to be stunned. The two-time league MVP raised eyebrows
before the game, suggesting that it might not be such a bad idea if the 'watered down' NBA were to downsize.
Hinting at the fact that the league has expanded way too much for its own good, James told reporters before Thursday night's game in Phoenix that the NBA was more
popular in the 1980’s because there were fewer teams, and thus more stars in the top squads. At present there are only a few high profile teams featuring on any given night, and support is fast fading away for franchises that do not boast quality players.
James, who scorned many after parting ways with the Cleveland Cavaliers in a hope to win a championship title with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh at South Beach, defended
his decision by saying the league would be more popular if the fans come across more teams with star power and attraction.
"How can it be bad for basketball when you have guys who want to win playing on the same team?" he said. "Hopefully, the league can figure out one way where it can
go back to the '80s, where you had three or four All-Stars, three or four superstars, three or four Hall of Famers on the same team. The league was great. It wasn't as watered down as it is."
After tonight’s game, the Heat will next take on two-time defending champions Los Angeles Lakers. In the clash of titans, the stage is set for one of the most epic
and mouth-watering contests there will be all season, as LeBron James and Kobe Bryant will fight it out in the middle. James however, echoed Lakers coach Phil Jackson’s views, when he questioned the timing of this high profile encounter. The King reiterated
that players could also have some quality time with their families, only if the league has more high-profile games like this during the season, just as things happened in the 80’s.
"We had more (star) players on the team, which made almost every game anticipated, not just the Christmas Day game or the Halloween game, things like that," James
said. He also pointed out the plight of some very good players that are stuck in relatively weak franchises, and are fighting a lone battle.
"It's not my job; I'm a player, but that is why the league was so great," James said. "Imagine if you could take Kevin Love off Minnesota and add him to another team
and you shrink the (league). Looking at some of the teams that aren't that great, you take Brook Lopez or you take Devin Harris off these teams that aren't that good right now and you add him to a team that could be really good."
He added, "I'm not saying let's take New Jersey and let's take Minnesota out of the league. But hey, you guys are not stupid, I'm not stupid, it would be great for
the league."
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