Lets talk NBA Basketball

When you think of the NBA you think of LeBron James, Steph Curry, Anthony Davis, Chris Paul and the list goes on and on. However, many people feel the NBA has gotten boring all only because it has gotten too predictable. Don't believe me in 2013 it was the Spurs vs. Miami (still can't watch the series because it stings) then in 2014 it was the Spurs vs. Miami (redemption). In 2015 it was the Cavs vs. Warriors and in 2016 it was the Cavs vs. Warriors and more than likely it would be the same for 2017, and as Spurs fan, I have come to the reality the Warriors are a tad bit younger and can get the job done and make it to the finals again. But I know Coach Pop can make it work. Then comes the issue with Super Teams, we saw it happened with LeBron James with the Miami Heat in 2010, Now Kevin Durant made his decision in July that he will join the Golden State Warriors, a team that eliminated him and the OKC Thunder from the playoffs which many are calling the most "p**** ass move" in history. I was had a chance to speak with Tyrone Burks, a basketball enthusiast and his opinion about what's going on the NBA.

Me: You and I have had several discussions about super teams and with the big announcement that Kevin Durant decided to join the Golden State Warriors you called it a weak move, why?

Tyrone: Before I go into further detail about why I thought it was a poor move. Let me preface that by saying he is an amazing player and from what I understand a great man. But with that said I thought it was a weak move.When you are a player of that caliber, you're the captain of the ship in my opinion. As that captain it's your job to navigate the ship through murky waters, not join the pirate ship that is trying to loot your ship. You left a very viable contender, to the team that beat you, which begs the question what's the exact nature of the relationship between KD and Russ. I’m still along the old school lines you can build mainly through the draft. Of course, it's smart to go after highly sought after FAs, and make trades. But to sustain long-term, high-level success is to draft well. Ask GS, ask the thunder, ask the Spurs.

Me: Where would you put the current viewership on a scale of 1-10 regarding the NBA and why ?

Tyrone: I still think the NBA is in the 7-9 range. I feel very strongly the NBA has the strongest marketing. They know how to feature stars across multiple markets large and small. Also helps that fans are closer to the players than any other sport, and they are not wearing helmets, so they are easily recognizable. Also with things like League pass, no game, team, or player is unattainable.

Me: What are your thoughts on one and done players who leave college their freshman year and head to the NBA. Charles Barkley says in a lack of a better word its "its messing up his league" do you agree?

Tyrone: I won't use the language Sir Charles used, I do however strongly agree. Unpopular as it may sound I'm along the lines for eligibility is enter straight out of HS, or spend two yrs in college.I also think the date for kids to pull their name from the draft should be extended so they can have enough time to test the waters, and if it's not the right time have the opportunity to return to school. 1 and done's have significantly hurt the quality of ball league-wide if you look at almost all the greats (MJ, Magic, Kareem, Bird, Duncan, Shaq, Hakeem, etc.) they had multiple years of college experiences. You have the exceptions to the rule IE Moses Malone, KG, Kobe, Tmac, Lebron. But they are just that the exception.

Me: Many Basketball Fans are calling Golden State Warriors a lock in for the NBA finals, and as a Spurs Fan I would agree. Do you also see the Cavs coming out the east again?

Tyrone: This is my biggest beef about the NBA is the parody. Tjes management has shown they are willing to go after whoever to match up with whatever West team they feel is the threat (cough cough) the Warriors), they also have Kyrie and the King, so I'm not ready to just surrender the title to GS, ppl made that mistake last yr. As for each team representing each conference. Lebron’s team will again account for the east as it's been since the beg of this decade, nothing is changing that anytime soon. As for GS, I think they will represent the West for the 3rd straight yr, but I will say I expect a better Spurs team. Duncan is one of the GOATs, but his play has been dipping for years, Pau is going to bring a PF/C still playing at a high level, whose ball IQ and skill set fits the Spurs perfectly. I don't see the Spurs going quietly. And don't let Pau start hitting the three consistently man they will be tough

Me: We have seen the MVP voting and this year Steph Curry won by a landslide, he was voted unanimously do you agree with the writer's panel giving curry that much praise?

Tyrone: His team went 73-9 (an NBA record). His ppg was north of 31, and top ten single season history all time. Won the scoring title, and led the league in steals. He most certainly deserved almost every single vote. Unanimous you can argue for or against it. If anybody did, however, get a vote last year other than it should’ve been Damian Lillard.

Me: Last question I have for you is that we have had debates on the rules for the NBA mainly officiating, so if you were commissioner for a day what rules would you change like minutes played, games played, etc.

Tyrone: That's a tough question. NBA is one of the few sports along with Hockey that I think the commissioner past and present has done an outstanding job. With that said maybe officiating, and suspensions.I wish we had more consistency across the board with officiating, not a Dwight Howard fan or a Blake Griffin fan, but the way they are officiated you would think they are Ron Artest and have a terrible past, it's almost comical at times. As for Suspensions look no further than the NBA finals I'm not a fan AT ALL on how that was handled. If they would've suspended him in the prior series I would've been perfect, but they didn't and in my eyes they didn't do it bc the magnitude of the game, the Warriors were facing elimination, and they didn't want to affect the outcome. If that's how you felt then why wasn't that done for the finals when what transpired in no way shape form or fashion for me warranted a suspension? To add to it, KeKe Vandeweigh said he took into account for the suspension the post-game comments made by Lebron James on the verbal misconduct of Draymond Green during the game. Which if that's true it's absolute nonsense.

Me: Thank you for your time man

Tyrone: No problem

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