Is the CBA on the Rise or Fall?

[Nubb16]

Hello all, I am new to the board and generally new to the CBA, but being a huge sports fan and with the new team the East Kentucky Miners being only minutes from my home, I have became a huge Miners fan. I just had this question because I do not know all that much about the CBA, but I would love to see the Miners stay around here and be successful as well as the CBA be a successful league. So, is the CBA on the rise or fall?

[psbf]

Nubb16. I believe the league is on the rise with very strong proof. Four expansion teams have been added, one of which is in your area(E.K.). Although one is struggling, everyone is playing.

[Nubb16]

Thats great, I hope it continues to rise.

[tops804]

The CBA has gone through a transition period lately. In part, due to the usual
disinterest that comes with some franchises being in small markets without much
promotion. As well as falling victim to the over expansion/failures of another minor league.

After the 2005-06 season: the CBA lost all but 2 franchises due to folding or
moving up to the NBDL. It in turn, added six, lost one mid-season, and ended
up with a less then par playoff run. Due to a late season change in the playoff format.

All and all, last season could have still been considered better, business wise
for the CBA then 05-06. This year, with the addition of Rio Grande Valley, Oklahoma, and
Eastern Kentucky (Bumping the league to 10 teams) it looks even better. The
only addition of concern, is the Atlanta franchise, which is rumored to be playing
in front of below 500 crowds and having payroll issues.

As for the future: Nobody can really predict what the CBA plans or what else
could set them back. Overall, they have proven to be commited to put a quality
product on the floor. They have a fairly solid group of owners, and are headed
by a group that seems to have a good business plan.

In Pikesville, you have a location that I have often felt was overlooked in the
past. You will have natural rivals in Albany and Pittsburgh. One would hope
that future expansion will consider putting another team within easy travel
of all 3 cities (Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia, Vermont). As I said though,
no one can predict what others are thinking...

[jjbballfan]

If you look at the history of the league its on an upward swing from lows of loosing qualified and role model franchises to the D-league but is still in the gutter after having great years in the 90's.... The league will never get back to what it was... Isaiah had the right idea he basically wanted the CBA to become the Dleague of today but the guy is one of those guys that crosses the line and when he crossed the line with Stern (who wanted to buy the CBA) he not only ended up bankrupting the league he made the D-league happen..... The D-league struggled early because Stern is too smart for a minor league but now has the D-league the premier minor league and has basically made it known to players that if you want to get to the show the Dleague is the only way. That is the problem with the CBA it puts a qualified product on the team but the players aren't the type that are going to get 10 day contracts like they did just 2-3 years ago..... The D-league has 14 players on assignment right now has had 15 assigned in total this year. To go along with numerous players that have had stints in the league.... The point I am getting to I think the CBA is at a point in which it can find its nitch or it can become similar to the ABA.... The CBA is going to have to find cities and stay there have to get qualified owners and have to play all there games they aren't going to be able to compete against the Dleague but should try to compete with them if that makes sense. They are going to have to go after NBA veterans and college names..... All and all I think the next 2-3 years will decide the fate of the CBA.....

[panchess]

..is the key for the CBA. What I mean by different is that I think the ticket to more success is to have more veteran players (and pay them more, so there is some continuity in the roster and "names" you can market) of the type that play in Europe now, and market higher quality play.

Given the position and direction of the D-League, they are going to get first crack at the marginal rookies right out of college. There is no reason they should have first crack at the Randy Livingston type players out there.

I thought this is what the PBL would try and do, but they went cheap and are trying to be "the same as, but not quite as good."