NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is “walking a tightrope” as he is tasked with “not only growing the game but maximizing revenue," according to Vincent Goodwill of YAHOO SPORTS. Silver has to "keep track of things to make sure they don’t get out of whack," while also "not fighting the natural evolution of the game." Making the pie even bigger, especially as the NFL encroaches on more NBA turf, means Silver “has to embrace almost every revenue shifter -- be it gambling or the play-in tournament, or the in-season tournament, to keep pace." The play-in has “been a huge success,” and the "intended consequence of making the regular season more compelling has worked precisely as it was intended.” The IST "wasn't as definitive of a success," but it “feels like a net positive, aside from the hideous floors.” Gambling is so profitable the NBA “would be fools to ignore the financial benefits,” but there are “certainly drawbacks.” Silver’s relationship with players has been “fruitful for the players in relation to" late former Commissioner David Stern, but he "can't cash in on that equity to get them to perform or halfway compete in an All-Star Game.” Silver "didn't say abolishing the All-Star Game would certainly happen," but the fact he is “letting those words reach the public is a negative sign.” Silver needs to “put a stake in the ground and present a general ethos for what the NBA is going to stand for on the floor and off it, in the near future.” Too often the league “feels like it’s swaying to whatever the whims of the public are as opposed to having a firm grip on its identity” (YAHOO SPORTS, 3/26).
