WaltLongmire wrote:You can make a case that the NBA is as much platform for players to do their branding and make money outside their paychecks, as it is a league made of teams competing for a title...probably more so, since so few teams win titles.

Also have to look at the sneaker money for NBA stars...does the MLB or NFL have anything similar?

They all sell shirts, uniforms, hats, sports drinks, etc, but my gut feeling is that the sneaker is a form of currency unique to the NBA. (Am I wrong on this...I assume that I'm overlooking something obvious.)

Some stars do seem to have immense power within this or that franchise...but I think it varies franchise to franchise.

I also believe that some teams don't have much choice other than to please a certain star (like Lebron or Kobe). Further complicating the issue is that an owner might step over a GM to establish a relationship with a star.

It becomes annoying when I see certain players clearly winning power plays when they are in conflict with their coach, but I've come to accept this with an "it is what it is" sense of resignation.

At the end of the day NBA is what we fans created.
It reflects what we want to pay money for.
It reflects culture of the society, the focus on all shiny stuff, not on a substance.
It is not good or bad debate, its just what it is.