By ANDREW WILLIAMSON
Contributing Writer
PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 1, 2011
As the World Series comes to a close, the football season has reached its midpoint and the hockey season is under way, my question is what will happen with the NBA lockout? What will those of us who are obsessed with the pro game do?
I am referring to those of us who only watch College Basketball during March Madness. We are the ones who grew up watching Michael and Shaq, Kobe and LeBron, following their every move and accomplishment. What will we do if the Lockout continues? I’ll try to speak for those of us who will never find the same satisfaction or fulfillment watching any other sport other than an NBA game.
It occurs to me that the NBA doesn’t have to worry about people like us. We will look forward to the upcoming NBA season whenever it finally takes place and as diehard fans we appreciate the game even with all its flaws.
That is not something that can be promised or even expected from the casual fan. These fans watch an occasional game and probably the Finals in June. These are the fans that might not come back. But these are the fans who buy tickets to take their family to a professional game. These are the fans that support arena concessions, purchase league merchandise, and contribute to the general economy that surrounds the game.
We can all agree that we are still in tough economic times, unemployment is high and jobs are scarce. When the average American looks at the NBA lockout they don’t care who is at fault, be it the owners or the players. They don’t care what the specific or technical differences are that neither side will give in on. All they know is that neither side, owners or players, are doing that badly in the greater scheme of things. When people are struggling financially, there is little sympathy for those who are quibbling over how many millions they are due. Basketball may be more of a business than a game right now but, they don’t have to give their fans the business. Let’s tip off!
Go Andy, you’re at worrk!