The Complacent Masses

In looking at the responses to this blog's calling on fans to take back control of the game they make successful, there is room for both optimism and sadness. The optimism comes from those who still believe it is the fans that make this game what it is and the sadness comes from those who blindly defend the actions of the very NBA that doesn't care about them at all.

Some fans out there seem to grab on to the message of hope and give thanks that there are others out there willing to stand up to David Stern and the NBA marketing machine, with powerful comments from BurndbyNBA and burnedbystern:

"Thank the lord someone has finally taken a stand! I was at the same game, after saving up all year to see Kobe in his once-a-year NYC appearance, my heart was broken last night."

"I sold m+m's on the 2 train for 6 months just to get seats in the 400's, and it is a travesty that kobe was held out of action. I've been searching for a cause ever since i spilled ketchup on my darfur sweatshirt......I think we should unite against the evil david stern, and bring the NBA back to the people."

It is comments from these strong soldiers that keep hope alive that fans may retake control of the game from the billions of dollars in corporate interests at hand. Without concern they may be banned from future NBA games, these fighters have decided to stand courageously at the front-lines of this battle against greed.

The sad part in any battle is watching the seemingly intelligent friends fight for the wrong side, so blinded by ignorance and hype, they are un-willing or un-able to look what is really going on. As in The Simpsons, where Burns consistently treats Smithers no better than Cheney would a hunting buddy, Smithers still shows Burns a "sycophantic devotion." Where does this love and devotion get him? Despite his clear desire, Smithers has been passed over for promotion to vice-president by Homer, a dog and even a monkey. In over 400 episodes of Burns treating Smithers as nothing more than a lackey, Smithers has been willing to stand up to Burns only twice (Episodes 2F16/2F20 and episode 2F02). Have some NBA fans become Smithers as well: Nothing more than fictional cartoon characters, blinded to the truth by some sort of a closeted gay obsession.

Here we have fans shelling out hundreds of dollars to games of made-up importance, spending countless hours even creating side fantasy games of even more made-up importance, and they are not even willing to question actions of the NBA. Comments from lost souls, including those from the "lifelong fan of allen iverson" okaycantor, sound like a battered-wife defending her husband. He mentions the "inherent risk involved in purchasing a ticket for a team game" as "injuries and suspensions are part of the game...buyer beware," but completely ignores anything that takes away from his enjoyment of the game he so devotes (though it is possible this particular fan simply harbors a resentment to those better at fantasy basketball given he his 20.5 games back from 1st place).

As for the claims from the truly weak defeatists posting anonymously, "The MSG argument is on a completely diffferent track and should be left out of your NBA story all together." Another person blinded, as MSG is all part of the NBA money-making machine. One way or another my $7.50 hotdog and $7 bottle of bud is working to line the pockets of David Stern and NBA players. It's part of the NBA experience, so I'll hold the NBA accountable for actions of the venue, especially when the policies are not listed on the tickets I paid so much for.

I think true, rational fans understand the risks involved with respect to players health, potential of being traded and even circumstances where they may be legitimately suspended. In this case, I think the league acted rashly, harshly, unfairly and did not even think of the fans when rendering their decision to suspend a potential basketball legend hours before a game, offering no chance to delay or appeal. I am willing to take certain risks, but risks that the NBA ignores the interests of the fans entirely are not risks we should have to take.

I agree that there is no hard and fast line you can draw at what is fair, but I believe at the end of the day the NBA puts the interests of the hardworking fans at the bottom of the pile.