Occupy the Lockout

photo from sneakerfiles.com

It became apparent a week ago that the NBA season is not starting anytime soon. Since the NFL and NCAA football are either entering or immersed in their stretch, season-defining runs, I'm not missing it during the month of November. And I don't foresee myself missing it during the month of December, or even the month of January. I may start to miss the NBA in February if the lockout extends till then - and it's hard to imagine it won't at this point.

As an NBA fan, I'm on neither the owners nor the players side - I'm on my side. The NBA has out-priced its fans. I live in Boston, and while I despise the Celtics, I'd love to be able to root against them from a seat inside the TD Banknorth Garden. But I can't realistically afford to do that more than once a year. It's a shame. I'm not living in poverty - I have a middle-class job, a middle-class salary, and I share a middle-class apartment with two other people*.

*Actually, our apartment is awesome. It helps that one of my roommates is my girlfriend, allowing the three of us to split a two-bedroom, but it's awesome!

I'm torn - half of me wants the NBA to have a season. I'm a huge Lakers and Kobe Bryant fan, and I realize his window for winning more titles is closing - I also realize that a shortened season may be an advantage to a veteran team like the Lakers, who would be susceptible to physical breakdown over the course of 82 games and a postseason.

On the other hand, if a cancelled season results in a reset of the NBA's financial plan, and if that reset results in an NBA I can afford to enjoy in person on a more frequent basis, then I am all for this continuing through what would the end of the this season and being resolved in the summer of 2012.

Consider this my Occupy the NBA position if you will, but I love sports, I love following sports, and I love experiencing sports. I want myself and people like me to be able to do that more.