Yet millions of fans continue to watch it every year. Sure it's a business, but you can't argue that there is no skill in the NBA. Where do you think all of the best college players end up?
The NBA is well behind the NFL, college football, baseball, and NASCAR in terms of popularity. I never said there was no skill in the NBA, but it's nowhere near what it was 10 years ago. Most players now are athletes first, basketball players second. Many of them went straight from high school to the NBA, or played one or two years in college and never really learned the game. They could just dominate with their athleticism. NBA teams would rather draft players who can run fast and jump high than players who can shoot, pass the ball, play defense, etc.
Look at what's happened to the USA basketball team in international competition over the last 6 or 7 years. Teams full of NBA All-Stars are losing to international teams with rosters full of nobodies. You can say the American players don't care, or they don't have enough practice time together as a team, but actually watching them play, it's clear the international teams just play better basketball. The Americans rely too heavily on their one on one play offensively, never really passing the ball around. And on defense, they look lost defending a simple pick and roll.
That's not the only reason why I think the NBA is a joke though. A lot of it has to do with the fact that they play 82 games, and 16 teams make the playoffs. 82 games to eliminate less than half the teams! You can make the playoffs with a sub .500 record. And then the playoffs go on FOREVER. Is it really necessary to play a seven game series to determine the best team?
Anyway, sorry for getting this thread so far off-topic.
Back on topic, the Bulls are now 1-5 after their 30 point loss at home to the Toronto Raptors. At this point I'll be surprised if they make the playoffs.
Boston Celtics are 5-0, the last unbeaten team in the NBA. They're definitely looking like the team to beat in the East. Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce are unstoppable, but the team doesn't have any depth at all, so they could wear down as the season goes along.