If you watched any of the 2016-17 NBA season you know one major issue for the league was players sitting out in need of rest. Yes, on many occasions NBA players showed up to their games and sat on the bench to be spectators like you and I.  Many of them didn’t even bother to put on their jersey and at least pretend to play the part. They sat in suits, finely tailored suits I admit, but still not the getup we wanted to see them in. Fans were frustrated as hell and understandably so. Many fans traveled far and wide, saved every penny they could spare to witness Steph Curry’s sole visit to their town, only to show up to arena and learn he will not be playing.  Fans voiced their displeasure. Lashing out to the media, calling the players “babies”, “spoiled”. Eager to remind the high-payed athletes about less lucrative blue-collar professions that don’t have the luxury to take time off. I’ll save that take for those fans but I do have a bone to pick with these players. I have to call them out for their lack of compassion and dismissive attitude towards the fan’s grievances and unfortunately it starts with the one and only Lebron James.

Bron, fans are showing up all around the country to see you and you aren’t in the lineup, what’s your response to that? Some of his quotes include “I don’t think the NBA can do anything about it. At the end of the day, it sucks at times where certain guys have to rest, but certain guys need rest…it’s a long, strenuous season.” When referring to his team’s decision to keep him out of a game, a decision that we all know Lebron could override if he wanted, he said “… a coach’s job is to figure out a way for their team to compete for a championship, not compete for a game.” Hold on Bron, that championship you speak of only matters because we the fans say it does. What is your championship parade without the fans lining the streets to attend? What’s your NBA finals game worn jersey worth on eBay without the fans clamoring to bid on it? Your championship status is worth nothing without us, the fan, to fawn over it. It’s a dangerous game to dismiss the fan and assume we will be there in the end unconditionally.

Like a responsible business should, the NBA league office and it’s 30 owners are trying to address the fans concerns. They are considering a rule that will mandate players to play when healthy. Kevin Durant, another superstar player chimed in on the topic. He said “The truth about it is, it’s only for a couple of players in the league, they don’t care if the 13th man on the bench rest. It’s only for like LeBron [James], Steph [Curry], [James] Harden, Russell [Westbrook]. It’s only for like five players. So you want a rule just for those five players?” Now Mr. Durant, when you get your check on the 1st and 15th do you ask how come the 13th man on the bench isn’t getting paid the same hefty sum you are? Probably not. You understand your skills warrant that reward, but what you don’t seem to understand is those skills come with a responsibility as well. A responsibility to get out there and entertain your consumer. Haven’t you heard? To whom much is given much is expected. It’s a bit alarming to hear you sound a bit out of touch on this matter. All those NIKE shoes you sell come with accountability, a level of accountability that is higher than what the fans expect of the 13th man.

Today’s players are quick to point out they are not just athletes but businessmen as well. I am not mad, I am a proud capitalist myself, get your money. So let’s talk business then. The NBA are partners with the networks like TNT and ESPN who show your games. The networks are paying 2.6 billion dollars this year to the league, money that is divided evenly amongst the 30 NBA teams. Safe to say that money goes a long way in paying each of the player salaries. In order for the networks to be comfortable paying this premium they go to the NBA and say, you got to give us the good stuff. We want to carry the games people want to see, the games that include stars like Lebron and Russell Westbrook. This is why every Thursday on the TNT broadcast you are likely to see a game that includes Lebron followed by one that includes a west coast star like KD or Harden, it’s not by accident, it was negotiated. So, when these stars sit out, they are essentially robbing the networks of the high-quality games they shelled out the 2.5 plus billion dollars for. TNT and ESPN negotiate for the A-list players but instead get the 13th man as Durant put it. That’s not good business.

The crazy thing is I agree with the players, the NBA 82 game season is too long, it needs to be shortened. Let’s get back to talking business though, every couple of years the NBA players sit and negotiate with the NBA and its 30 team owners. Just like any other labor negotiation, both parties are fighting for their wants. If the players have an issue with the schedule that would be the time to bring it up, right there at the round table. If the owners don’t want to give you what you want, you have to be prepared to fight like any other labor group would. But see, the players always end up caving in. More than likely they have a Bugatti payment coming up and aren’t willing to miss out on a check due to labor disputes. Got to be willing to tighten that belt and sacrifice to get what you want, even if it means being uncomfortable for a bit. What ends up always happening is the players accept an 82-game season, accept an 82-game check and then not want to perform for 82-games. I say again, that’s not good business brothers. Lebron wouldn’t accept that in any corporation he is running. Bron is a smart guy, I just think he has a blind spot on this one.

Lastly, Lebron was right when he said there isn’t much the NBA can do. Unlike the NFL, NBA contracts are guaranteed. Guys can show up and shoot with their eyes closed for the rest of their career and NBA teams would still have to pay them every red cent their owed. The TV deal is in place for the next 9 years, so that money is in the bag as well. Guys like Bron, Melo, CP and Wade are in the clear. The league will be financially healthy for the duration of their careers, they can ride into the sunset all the way to the bank. But I would ask what about the next generation of guys? Will the networks be reluctant to drop big bucks because of the duping that is going on now? Current players may want to be aware of that, especially Mr. James. Have you guys seen the highlights of his 12 year old son Lebron James Jr? That young boy can ball! I would ask Bron, will Lil Brony get to enjoy the same benefits of a healthy NBA like you did?