ESPN.com's Marc Stein cited sources as saying that the NBA has "informed teams that it is projecting a rise in the salary cap" of nearly $5M for next season. The sources said that all 30 teams "were informed this week via league memorandum that an increase in the cap" from this season's $58.6M to $63.2M in '14-15 -- "thanks to increased revenues -- is now expected." The sources said that a "corresponding rise" in the luxury-tax threshold from $71.7M to $77M also is projected. The "latest projections will undoubtedly be welcomed by numerous teams that are planning to be active in free agency this summer" (ESPN.com, 4/19).
MY GENERATION: In Louisville, Tim Sullivan writes under the header, "Higher Age Limit In NBA Isn't Fair." That NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and NCAA President Mark Emmert "agree on the desirability of a higher age limit for pro basketball is not a surprise but a given." Both men have a "vested interest in presenting a more finished product to their customers, in prolonging apprenticeships, promoting stability and increasing profits." But the "problem is wealthy middle-aged executives determining what's best for young athletes of varying abilities (and often limited means) based on a criterion as arbitrary as age." To "further discriminate against people with no seat at the bargaining table is, at best, morally squishy" (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 4/22). In San Diego, Nick Canepa wrote, "I am not against college basketball players leaving early for the NBA. But I do have a problem with so many of them obviously either getting bad advice or pushing their own athletic envelopes far too far." The 20-year-old age limit would "eliminate a lot of the ones-and-dones and no matter what anybody thinks, whether a player goes to class or not, college is a terrific experience that deserves to last longer than nine months" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 4/21).
TECHNICAL FOUL? In Portland, John Canzano writes the officiating in Trail Blazers-Rockets Game 1 on Sunday "is making me ask questions." The NBA yesterday released a statement saying officials were "incorrect in assessing a foul to the Rockets' Dwight Howard with 10.8 seconds remaining in overtime." Canzano: "No context for the announcement. No real closure. No transparency. ... I can speak for the majority of those who watch NBA games by saying we're just not buying it. ... I'm wondering if the real reason fans don't trust the NBA officials is because they shouldn't." The NFL has done a "terrific job with how it administers its officiating." NFL officials have "shown the public how they prepare for games, the criteria for grading, and when they blow calls, they own it." The NBA "feels more Oz-like" (Portland OREGONIAN, 4/22).
