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My Wishes for Minor League Basketball

by Chris Munson
January 4, 2009 - Premier Basketball League (PBL)


As the new year opens, there are things I wish for in the world of minor league basketball.

You see, I love the game. I love the bizarre promotions, games played in old historical gyms (see the Vermont Frost Heaves), and I love the fact there is a one in a thousand shot I will see a future NBA player or coach.

The game itself has been tarnished due to the antics of the American Basketball Association and the instability of teams, with even the once proud Continental Basketball Association down to four teams.

With the game's current struggles in mind, here are my wishes for the new year:

1) Keep the rules of basketball the way they are. Ditch the four point basket, the 3-D rule and awarding an extra point in the last minute of a quarter. Yes, the fans love the quirky rules but it isn't good for the players. They need to develop their inside game, clock management skills and shooting skills. They don't need to be worrying about putting up what could be a five point shot when they are down 30 in the third quarter.

2) Have the CBA, PBL and NBA sit down and find a way to create a true minor league basketball system. For example have the D-League be equal to baseball's "AAA"; the PBL "AA" and the CBA be "A" ball. Sorry, Dennis, this is all off the top of my head. Create affiliation agreements and have the minors subsidized by the NBA. The Celtics would have the Manchester Millrats of the PBL; the Lakers would have the L.A. D-fenders of the D-League, etc. I know this takes money, and there may not be enough teams to create three levels, but I believe this all needs to start somewhere.

3) Implement straight FIBA rules and leave it at that. These guys have a chance to play overseas and FIBA rules are used. Guys like Randy Gill, Hugh Jones and Anthony Anderson aren't going to stay in the minors forever. Get them used to international rules so they can succeed at a higher level.

4) The ABA should should not be a part of any organized minor league hierarchy. Just over 38 percent of games played last year, league Chief Operating Officer Quentin Townsend arrested for fraud and forgery, 230+ teams that have folded or left in seven seasons, teams not showing up for games and players not getting paid is a disgrace to the game. How in the world can a fan base be developed if fans don't know if their team will be there from one day to the next? Just look at the ABA schedule. What's that, you can't find it? Well, neither can the media or the league's own teams.

5) Leagues like the PBL, CBA and the newly formed USBA need to conduct training on how players, coaches and league administrators deal with the media. What people fail to realize is that when a press release looks like a three year old wrote it, teams lack game notes, and players shoot their mouths off to guys who are just trying to do their jobs, it just makes their team look bad. Teach GMs how to write a solid release, and teach players what to say and what not to say to the media. This only improves the impression of a team, league and player.

Chris Munson is a freelance sportswriter and broadcaster based in Jacksonville, FL. Chris is the former Sports Director for ESPN Radio Vermont and has written for Our Sports Central, US Basket, d3football.com, Vermont Times and Vermont Guardian. Currently, Chris does play-by-play and color duties for the University of North Florida on their women's basketball, men's and women's soccer and women's volleyball broadcasts. See Chris's blog at http://thewaywardwriter.blogspot.com//



Premier Basketball League Stories from January 4, 2009


The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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