Commissioner for a Day

All of this talk about rules and suspensions and then listening to David Stern made me realize that the NBA needs a change. While the league is making money annually, many fans are still being turned off by many things. If I were somehow handed the reigns for one day, how would I handle this? I've thought about this long and hard and here are my thoughts.

1) Clean Up the Officiating

While the NBA can continue to say they have the best officials in the world, we as fans know that is not correct. While we may have a bias towards our team, anybody that watches the games consistently will tell you that the only thing that is consistent about officiating in today's NBA is the inconsistency. It may be drastic but the NBA should rid itself of all the officials that have been working for an extended period of time. They are jaded by the game and the money and new blood needs to be implemented. I say look to the NBDL, College and Europe for officials. I tell them to call the game down the middle and to not think about how famous a certain player is. Also, I understand the playoffs are more intense so they should let them play but anything that is over the line means automatic ejection, (cough,cough, Bruce Bowen). Here are some other rules within the game that I would change:

A) Flopping should be an offense. We don't want the league to go all futbol on us. I say if you flop once, you get a warning. If you do it again, it is a technical and the other team gets a foul shot.

B) A travel is a travel. I understand you can't call them all but it would be nice to see the league not allow players to dance all over the floor. These guys have been playing forever and should understand that three or four steps or picking up your pivot foot is not allowed.

C) The bench fight rule should still remain but it should be clarified. If players leave the bench and touch anyone or get in anyone's face, they are suspended one game. As coach Mike and Bill Simmons stated, it is human nature to want to be there for your friends and teammates.

D) Complaining should be allowed to a point. It is fine to be emotional but not after every call that goes against you. Also, superstars should not be devoid of T's just due to their status.

2) Hire all new Advertising and PR people for the league. While the league continues to pump out video of the game in the 50's accompanied by music from 1985, it just makes me feel they have no idea who their demographic is. The league is full of young and hip people that should be put to the forefront of everything. Allow their personalities to shine and allow them to wear what they want on the sidelines. Highlight them in commercials and create new video packages with modern players and updated music. We should never forget our past but we need to highlight what is good about the present and future as well.

3) Change the arena environment. I'm fine with the big introductions but I'm tired of the dancers and the music being played during the game. I want to hear the crowd "ooo" and "ahh" and I want to hear them boo the enemy and cheer on the home team. You go to a game to let loose and scream, not to be told when to cheer and to have to yell over Guns N Roses.

This is all I can think of right now that really bothers me about the game. I love basketball but I feel that the NBA allows politics and money to get in front of the essence of the game. It's time to get the corrupt feel out of everything and to allow the fans to really know the players and have a more enjoyable game experience.