The NBA Does Not Care

Last night I went to the Knicks/Lakers game (January 20th at MSG) and was dismayed to find out that Kobe was suspended for a play in which he elbowed Manu Ginobili in the waning moments of the Lakers Spurs game on January 28th. http://www.aolsportsblog.com/2007/01/30/kobe-suspended-for-playing-defense/

No foul was called on the play in question, Kobe called it accidental and Manu said he couldn't say if he thought it was inentional or not. In typical NBA fashion, providing no notice or time to apppeal before the game, the league suspended Kobe hours before the game. If you live in New York and hope to see Kobe this season, this was your one shot, as it's the only time the Lakers will appear at the Garden this season.

The NBA claims, "This is all about the safety of our players in the workplace." Personally, I think the NBA should take a little more of the fans interests to heart. Kobe, and other great players that have the potential to inspire a sense of awe, are a major reason why myself and many fans shell out $100's of dollars to go see NBA games.

If this were a blatant and purposeful strike from Kobe against Ginobili, I think fans would understand the need to penalize him. However in this instance, both Kobe and fans like me were shocked. We all pay a lot of money so NBA players can make a lot more money... if every once and awhile a player gets a bloody nose, I am not really that concerned.

As Phil Jackson put it (though admittedly he has a self-interest here) , for Kobe "to miss this game cheats the fans."

To add insult to injury, MSG has a new policy this season prohibiting outside food. In addition to Kobe being barred from entering the Garden, my turkey sandwhich was kept outside as well. It's good to know that security guards seemed more interested in finding sandwhiches than finding actual threats to safety. One might think this policy could be listed on the ticket, perhaps even next to the $8.40 Ticketmaster surcharge, but it is nowhere to be found.

If you think the NBA should take the fans interest more to heart, please contact the league to register your disatisfaction. As you may expect, the NBA does not make it easy to complain. The only way two ways to contact them are by email at the following link
http://www.nba.com/email_us/

or by regular mail at:
The National Basketball Association, Attn: Fan Services, 645 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10022.

Also, please pass this blog around and add to the comments below. Thanks.