NBA Lockout: How Miami Heat Rumors Fuel Commissioner David Stern's Fire

Miami Heat rumors seem to be the source of gravity for the NBA this lockout-looming summer. The biggest team in the league is leading the headlines, not the possibility that the league itself will seize to function as of July 1, 2011.

The further this topic is analyzed, the easier a fan can see how good this makes NBA Commissioner David Stern, look in the public’s eye. Even LeBron James and Dwyane Wade’s not attending teammate Chis Bosh’s bachelor party is a bigger headline than a lockout.

Knowing how the NFL and its image has changed during the course of its lockout, keep your eyes peeled on how much Miami Heat gossip rises to the top.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has not helped his public perception during this offseason, receiving a not so welcoming response at his own 2011 NFL draft. This is something that David Stern must try to avoid, for the sake of the NBA’s future.

As Heat headlines increase during the lock out, the sense of urgency for a collective bargaining agreement is put on the back burner for David Stern.

The Heat provide a cushion for the parties to negotiate the details of the new collective bargaining agreement. The 2011 NBA season was one of the league's best ever, due to the overwhelming attention that LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade have brought by coming together.

The buzz that surrounds the league and the organization is one that NBA connoisseurs have not seen in decades.

Media appointed villain Miami Heat have very few issues to deal with over the offseason. Drafting a very high potential point guard from Cleveland State University Norris Cole, the Miami Heat have themselves in a very good situation.

As the mainstream media over analyze the structure of the Heat this offseason, President Pat Riley has insisted that the Heat is a championship contender as is. Undeniably, the Heat need help at point guard and center.

Norris Cole may fill that void in the next few years, but now the Heat must explore options for the immediate satisfaction of their adversaries.

The majority of teams in the NBA are losing money. This is cause for extreme concern with a lock out approaching. Unfortunately, the future of the league has taken a back seat…to the future of the league (Miami Heat) this offseason.

David Stern has been more than happy to see the Heat at the forefront of the medias criticism. The NBA, unlike the NFL, cannot afford to have its image tainted any further than the last decade has done.

Implementing a mandatory dress code, having players bring guns into locker rooms, fans and entire teams getting into brawls. All of the negative happenings of this decade have pushed so many fans away from the league.

The commissioner cannot afford to have the entire league shut down for even a fraction of the NFL’s lockout length.