Originally posted by sacniner:
LA, the league has changed since ten years ago and is continuing to change. Did we have this collusion of star players, while they are still really good, ten years ago? I think this trend won't go away. Also, I don't think it's a coincidence that the people who defend the NBA when these topics come up are usually finds of the teams that have the advantage and vice versa
There are two examples of collusion amongst players, and that's in Miami & New York, and like I said...nothing's changed in terms of the rules from the days when Kings fans were rabid, in love with the NBA, and packing Arco every night. We've had only one team successfully build their squad through players colluding via free agency, or even through free agency at all. Every other contender has built their team through traditional means.
Boston = Traded for KG, traded for Allen, drafted Pierce, drafted Rondo
Spurs = Drafted Duncan, drafted Manu, drafted Parker
Lakers = Traded for Kobe, traded for Pau, traded for Nash, traded for Howard
OKC = Drafted Durant, drafted Westbrook, drafted Harden, drafted Ibaka
I just don't see how this is different from any other era aside from the 70's. The nature of a sport where it's 5-on-5, the best players play 80% of the game, and the playoff series are 7 games instead of 1 all lead to a structure where there's only gonna be a select few contenders at any given time.
50's = Dominated by the Lakers & Celtics
60's = Dominated by the Celtics
80's = Dominated by the Lakers, Celtics, & Pistons
90's = Dominated by the Bulls
00's = Dominated by the Lakers & Spurs
The only thing that's stopping the Kings from doing what they did in their heyday again is the ineptitude of their upper management.