The Phoenix Suns are planning on playing a preseason game outdoors. And, the League OK'd it.
My question is: why?
The only reason I could come up with is to make money on the NBA during the preseason, considering the NBA knows that nobody cares about the preseason.
Who wants to pay to watch some undrafted rookies and NBDL wannabe's play a scrimmage game (which is basically what the preseason is)?
But, the bright minds at the Phoenix Suns thought that playing a game outdoors would change the minds of 16,100 (the capacity at Indian Wells) fans.
Let's hope that those same bright minds realize that people are not going to fly out to Palm Springs, California to watch Steve Nash and Co. play for eight minutes, and then be pulled for some kid off the corner.
I'm having a hard time understanding what the purpose of this game will be.
Is it a marketing ploy?
If so, what are they marketing?
They can't be marketing outdoor NBA games, because unlike the NHL, basketball games can be affected by the weather.
And, with the unpredictability of Mother Nature, the League would possibly be making a mistake every time they penciled in a game on a certain day. Not to mention that there are only 10 NBA teams that play in a state conducive of having an outdoor match during the winter months (the California, Florida, Arizona, and Texas teams).
But, even if the temperature was nice enough to have a game outside, you would have to worry about rain delays, or how the wind would factor into shooting percentages, or how noise may affect the ability for players to hear the referee's whistle, among other things.
Are they trying to reach out to new "customers"?
If they are, they'll be in for a wake up call when the only people who will show up for the game will be people who already know about basketball, or care enough to come and watch a preseason game.
No "new" fan of the NBA is going to think, "Oh, I have never cared about the NBA before, but now that they are playing outdoors, I might give it a shot. Hey, honey, how about we take the kids to Palm Springs this weekend to go watch the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets play a basketball game that doesn't mean anything.
It might cost us $1,000+ for the trip, but this sounds like the event I've been waiting for to turn me into an NBA fan."
If the NBA is trying to appeal to "new" fans, how about they try lowering ticket prices?
They might get more people to show up to the game if they aren't paying $15 to park, $40 for their upper-upper deck seat, $6 for a hot dog, and $4 for a soda!
Or, why don't they make contracts non-guaranteed, so we don't have to deal with these prima donnas making $5-$10 million to play basketball, who mail in basketball games because they're unhappy that their team isn't as good as other teams, or that another player is making $1.2 million more than they are.
That can't be the reason they are doing this.
So, what is the reason?
Let's leave it to a quote given by Rick Welts, the Suns' President and COO,:
"It's going to be incredibly cool."
Oh, ok. I guess it's a good idea then.
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7 months ago
In what way playing in a blizzard, with horrible ice conditions, did the Pens vs Sabres game not be affected.
Though the hockey was not excellent, the experience itself was absolutely amazing, and i think the NBA trying something new would be a great idea.
You have to remember sports is about entertainment, and this sounds pretty entertaining.
Nice article.
from 7 months ago
They still played the game, didn't they?!? If something like that was to happen during a basketball game, you wouldn't exactly be able to go on playing. Guys playing a game on ice can deal with snow falling down. Yes, it's cold, but it's cold inside hockey arena's, as is. I guess I should have clarified that I just meant that weather can cause a basketball game to be canceled more than it would for the NHL or other indoor sports.
7 months ago
I assume this game will be played on a blacktop and not on a wooden arena floor, since it's outdoors and all. If so, this is an extremely dangerous idea and all the more reason that Steve Nash, Amare, A.I, and Melo will likely play less than the 8 minutes that Scott suggested. There is no way D'Antoni and the coach of the Nuggets (I don't think they will keep Karl around for another sub par season) will risk their stars on an injury-prone surface for a pre-season game.
And for the record, the outdoor hockey game was a great idea. I just don't think the idea transfers all that well over to basketball.
from 7 months ago
Of course it'll be played on a parquet floor. They're going to lay a floor down on top of a few tennis courts. It's a great idea. By the way, the Kings and Ducks have been playing an outdoor game in Las Vegas every pre-season for years. Why? Because Vegas doesn't have a team and both teams would love to have the city's allegiance.
It's the same reason the Cowboys had their training camp in both San Antonio and Thousand Oaks, California.
7 months ago
I acutally think it's an awesome idea. If nothing else, just like you said, its cool lol......And besides, its just a pre-season game, soo you might as well try it and see what happens.
7 months ago
Agree, it's a great idea that should turn out pretty cool.
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