NBA Lockout: Straw Poll Favors NBA Owners Over Players, 10-0
NBA owners—10
NBA players—0
Such was the outcome of a poll concerning the current NBA labor negotiations randomly taken before a five-on-five pickup basketball game at a public school gym in Florida.
The 10-0 tally was surprising, but the disparate demographic from which it derived was far more telling.
And the NBA players need to pay careful attention.
Of the recreational basketball players asked, ages ranged from mid-teens to mid-50s.
Race—white, black and Hispanic—corresponded with our nation's latest census.
The socio-economic make-up varied from non-working high school student to part-time-working recent college grad, to tenured teacher, to traveling salesman, to popular sports bar owner, and all in between.
Despite the differences, a common denominator resonated among these players when questioned—all love the game, lace up regularly and and were unabashedly candid in airing their views on the current NBA lockout.
The informal poll revealed a complete shutout. A whitewash. A total shellacking. A basketball series sweep—times two and and half.
Not expecting to be queried about the NBA lockout upon entering the gym for last night's pickup games, the ten amateur players willingly articulated what NBA players union chief Billy Hunter and NBA players rep Derek Fisher no doubt need to hear.
And if these men fail to listen, they may cost pro basketball fans an entire season.
"They're just plain greedy," responded a 30-something small business owner and former college standout.
"They should just shut up and play because they're already ridiculously overpaid," snapped a recent college basketball star currently looking for a job.
"LeBron (expletive) James and Dwyane (expletive) Wade say the current NBA system is unjust," barked a normally soft spoken, recent law school grad. "My $150,000 student loan debt is what's really unjust in comparison to the $15,000,000 per season that both of these players make."
"NBA owners would be fools to give in to the demands of these prima donnas, some of whom will make more in one season than I will ever make in my lifetime," said a 20-something laborer.
"Imagine what the owner of my company would say if me and my fellow employees demanded more than 50% of his company's income," laughed a 40-year-old salesman. "It's nuts!"
"The billionaire owners should crush these whiny millionaire players and tell them to get their first real jobs in life," derided a successful entrepreneur and former college player.
As the last arriving players laced up, stretched and took a few practice shots, the most poignant comment came from a young black man and former college athlete who offered, "Makes no sense to me. These guys don't realize how fortunate they are. All I want is to be hired on full-time at the school where I teach and coach so that I can make a difference in some kids' lives. I figured out that I make annually a fifth of what LBJ and D-Wade earn per game. That's per game. They should stop crying!"
The box score is in. The tally has been taken.
LBJ, D-Wade, Billy, Derek and Company need to listen. 10 random guys who play the game because they love the game have spoken loudly.
Louder than the screeching of sneakers on hardwood and far more directly than any conversation that could ever occur around an NBA labor negotiation table.
NBA owners—10
NBA players—0
Quit while you can still salvage an already abbreviated season.
Straight Talk. No Static.
MIKE - the ultimate talking head on sports!
http://www.facebook.com/theemikefans
