Politics hurting NBA

The National Basketball Association is plagued with politics, on a larger scale than most other institutions. Another ugly incident raised its head over the weekend, when former Golden State Warriors minority owner Chamath Palihapitiya savagely attacked head coach Steve Kerr. This stems from Kerr seemingly siding with Harvard University, after the venerable institution rejected US President Donald Trump’s demands that they make policy changes.

“Normally, when an executive at a company where I own equity speaks on topics beyond their knowledge and reveals themselves to be an idiot, I usually just fire them or sell my equity,” he said on X. “Fortunately, I already sold all my equity in the Warriors last year at the-then all time high, so this isn’t my problem, but the total ignorance of his comments still stands.”

Obviously, this has nothing to do with basketball, and the NBA could not contain it. Kerr has always been transparent, and was insulted by Palihapitiya over a difference of ideology, not hoops. The latter benefitted financially from Kerr’s coaching. Then he belittled the four-time champion coach’s achievements, giving credit entirely to the players who won those championships under Kerr.

This is is the latest issue of malice that stains the league, coming just two and a half months after a ludicrous trade sent Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers. This zero domino resulted in the Mavs being knocked out of the playoffs by the Memphis Grizzlies Saturday. The trade that started the storm had more to do with saving money (nine figures which Doncic lost from a potential extension with Dallas) and other non-basketball related issues.

There are other matters, as well. The league has to revisit its officiating, which favors offensive players too much, and neglects uncounted traveling violations continuously. This has taught even the most fundamentally sound players that it’s okay to take steps as long as you’re moving, warping understanding of the rules of the game. It also disempowers the referees. To correct this will take a league-wide change that will be difficult to implement and enforce.

Also, the league would be benefitted by consulting the fans on what they would like to see. All-Star Games that score over 200 points per team cheapen the sport, and no one but the fans are complaining. It’s all become just a glorified lay-up line. And it’s too late in the season to fix.

Granted, the NBA can’t do anything about the balance of power. It can at least reward the effort of playing defense and make the playing field fair again. Certain stoppages are healthy for the game. It will be even worse when fans stop complaining. Going back to better basketball will, by then, be impossible. And unrecognizable.