LeBron: Contraction 'would be great for league'

[Chrispy]

PHOENIX -- This won't make LeBron James popular at the next player's union meeting, but Thursday he suggested the NBA would be more entertaining if there was contraction of teams.

In defending his decision to join up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on the Miami Heat, James said the league was better when numerous teams had multiple stars. He said he hopes the league can return to that someday, because right now there isn't enough talent to support the 30 current teams.

"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," James said. "The league was great. It wasn't as watered down as it is [now]."

In fact, James seemed to have a couple of ideas of which teams could go and some players that would make other teams better right now.

"[Contraction] is not my job; I'm a player but that is why it 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. 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."

Perhaps that's a hint why James didn't seriously consider signing with the Nets last summer.

James spoke on the issue before taking on the Phoenix Suns, but much of the focus this week is on Saturday when the Heat are part of the Christmas Day main event against the Lakers in Los Angeles.

James said Wednesday he doesn't enjoy playing on Christmas even if it is the main attraction on the league's regular season schedule.

James said Christmas game wouldn't be such a big deal if there were fewer teams like in the '80s.

"You had more [star] players on a team, which made almost every game anticipated, not just a Christmas Day game," James said. "I don't ever think it is bad for the league when guys decide they want to do some greatness for what we call a team sport."

Brian Windhorst covers the Miami Heat for ESPN.com

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/news/story?id=5952952

 

[IamMedellin]

he's bobby Kotick

 

[Boucher]

Raptors can stay

 

[DoubleDeuce]

I actually agree with him.

 

[Primetime]

Shows his competitive side a little bit. Anybody with common sense knows a contraction would be good for the league though.

 

[stevsta]

hornets, raptors, timberwolves, clippers, bobcats, cavs

trash em

 

[Mogriffjr]

contract cleveland first...lol

 

[Juggernaut]

hornets, raptors, timberwolves, clippers, bobcats, cavs

trash em

Raptors are wildly popular, they have great atmosphere. Sucks they can't find 2 players to build around.

Sounds racist, but I can't imagine how big of a pop they would get if they could get galo from the knicks. With Bargs and Galo, they would have an exciting duo to market and would imo, make the playoffs as a low to mid level seed.

 

[NAHSTE]

Totally agree with him. We had this very conversation in the chat box the other day but it would be great for the remaining teams. Memphis is top of the chopping list imo.

 

[krulmichael]

As long as they kept Detroit (which they would, good history there) I'm down.

 

[Primetime]

Get rid of the Bucks. No one in Wisconsin even gives a shit about them. They've lost money the past few years anyway.

 

[ralaw]

Raptors are wildly popular, they have great atmosphere. Sucks they can't find 2 players to build around.

Sounds racist, but I can't imagine how big of a pop they would get if they could get galo from the knicks. With Bargs and Galo, they would have an exciting duo to market and would imo, make the playoffs as a low to mid level seed.

Its strange that in Canada the Raptors remain huge, but outside of Canada the Raptors are seen as a dead franchise. I've always said that if the Raptors are going to build into an elite franchise they'd have to do it with building around the best international players, because most of the American born elite players aren't going to play in Canada.

 

[Kuzzy Powers]

Its strange that in Canada the Raptors remain huge, but outside of Canada the Raptors are seen as a dead franchise. I've always said that if the Raptors are going to build into an elite franchise they'd have to do it with building around the best international players, because most of the American born elite players aren't going to play in Canada.

You have to get them when they're young and build a team together with them. I dont think American players are unwiling to play in Canada, its just not very appealing for a Free Agent to come here when the team isnt even close to success anyways. Having to come to another country just makes it worse for potential free agents. But if you get them when they're young and have a team grow together theres no reason they wouldnt want to stay. If Chris Bosh had a contending team around him I dont think he wouldve bolted. But noone wants to play in the "stigma" of Canada on a non-contender.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

No reason for the Bobcats or Grizzlies to exists. No history, no fan base, no reason to keep these franchises around.

Even hardcore NBA fans generally agree that the league overexpanded. I think the NFL is right on the cusp at 32, and MLB could probably add two more without negative impact (but I wouldnt do it).

 

[Hasselbeck]

Agree with LeBron 100%.

 

[EmpireWF]

Cut 4 teams, two from each conference....the Charlotte Bobcats & Milwaukee Bucks from the East, then the Memphis Grizzlies & New Orleans Hornets....plus the Kings relocate to Seattle where they get their new arena

Increase the # of roster spots per team from 12 to 14 (overall, the league gains 4 roster spots)

Not sure how contracts work out, I've read possibilities would include they all go into a draft, or they all become UFAs.

Rework the divisions as such:

EAST
ATL: Boston, Brooklyn, New York, Philly, Toronto
CTL: Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Indiana
SE: Atlanta, Miami, Orlando, Washington

WEST
NW: Denver, Oklahoma City, Portland, Seattle
PAC: Golden State, Clippers, Lakers, Minnesota, Utah
SW: Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Phoenix

 

[A Tasty Burgerr]

I think the Pacers are in a higher position to get the axe than the Bucks right now, but I would still say we're in the bottom 5-6.

 

[Juggernaut]

Its strange that in Canada the Raptors remain huge, but outside of Canada the Raptors are seen as a dead franchise. I've always said that if the Raptors are going to build into an elite franchise they'd have to do it with building around the best international players, because most of the American born elite players aren't going to play in Canada.

Dead? They have possibly the loudest fans outside of Lakers/Celtics/Knicks. If they can get 2 great international players, then they'll be a great attractive option. Sucks Hedo didn't work out there.

 

[Argath]

Cut 4 teams, two from each conference....the Charlotte Bobcats & Milwaukee Bucks from the East, then the Memphis Grizzlies & New Orleans Hornets....plus the Kings relocate to Seattle where they get their new arena

Increase the # of roster spots per team from 12 to 14 (overall, the league gains 4 roster spots)

Not sure how contracts work out, I've read possibilities would include they all go into a draft, or they all become UFAs.

Rework the divisions as such:

EAST
ATL: Boston, Brooklyn, New York, Philly, Toronto
CTL: Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Indiana
SE: Atlanta, Miami, Orlando, Washington

WEST
NW: Denver, Oklahoma City, Portland, Seattle
PAC: Golden State, Clippers, Lakers, Minnesota, Utah
SW: Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Phoenix

Teams already have 15 roster spots per team. Only 12 can be active on gameday, and really, there's no reason to have more than 12 people active on gameday. You rarely see players in roster spots 9-12 actually get into the game unless there's an injury or a blowout.

 

[FirstTimer]

:jonesy: at people defending the Raptors. A team that no one has really given two shits about since Vince Carter left. The only reason people even cared about the Raptors last year was to see where Bosh might go.