Are players becoming bigger than the team?

[Universe]

With Chris Paul's recent trade requests, it seems players are beginning to become bigger than the team aspect.

 

Do you feel players should be honoring their contracts and respecting their team trying for the goal to become better or do you feel the player has the right to decide when he should come or go even under contract?

[YugoRocketsFan]

Players should obviously honor their contracts, there is a reason for 5-6 years deals, its so you can stay with your team for a long time, if they wanted a player for a shorter time the teams would give 2-3 years, and its what players must decide on before they accept the deal.

[Phightins]

I feel like it's been that way for a while, and this summer it just exploded. The NBA has always marketed its star players far more than it markets its teams, so it's no wonder some players have this attitude. I know, this exists in basically every league to some degree, it is just far more prevalent in the NBA.

Edited July 23, 2010 by Phightins

[YugoRocketsFan]

I feel like it's been that way for a while, and this summer it just exploded. The NBA has always marketed it's star players far more than it markets its teams, so it's no wonder some players have this attitude. I know, this exists in basically every league to some degree, it is just far more prevalent in the NBA.

 

Yeah its horrible, in the NBA a star gets far more attention than the team. Players in Europe dont have massive egos like the players here.

[Poe]

What can I say, it's a star-driven league. How big are the Cavs now that LeBron has left? How often will they be televised without him? How much focus has there been on the Miami Heat recently now that they have 2 superstars? How much attention has the starless Detroit Pistons gotten recently?

[Check my Stats]

Stern has been pushing players over teams forever now.

[Newman]

It's a player's league.

[Nitro]

Players are bigger than the team because in the NBA it is nearly impossible to win anything without a superstar player. Not to mention all of the national media coverage/increased ticket sales the team gets when they have this star player. Unfortunately the players know this and they and their agents use it to their advantage. As much as a star player can make a team better, they can also destroy it if they aren't happy (Vince Carter). With the stars having this much power, they can pretty much dictate anything and everything.

[SRV]

Players have been bigger than the team for a while. Bird, Magic, Jordan, Lebron, Kobe are all known for THEIR personal brand.

[JYD]

I feel like it's been that way for a while, and this summer it just exploded. The NBA has always marketed its star players far more than it markets its teams, so it's no wonder some players have this attitude. I know, this exists in basically every league to some degree, it is just far more prevalent in the NBA.

Exactly right. Kobe, LeBron, etc. are far bigger then the actual team aspect of the game. Part of that is the marketing (most of it actually) but also some is how the game is played now.

Edited July 24, 2010 by JYD