My wishes for Minor League Basketball

As it is close to the end of the year, there are things I wish for in the world of minor league basketball.

You see, I love the game. I love the bizarre promotions, games played in old historical gyms (See the Vermont Frost Heaves), and I love the fact there is a one in a thousand shot I will see a future NBA player or coach.

The game itself has been tarnished due to the antics of the ABA, the instability of teams and even the once proud CBA down to four teams. With this, here are my wishes for the new year:

1) Keep the rules of basketball the way they are. Ditch the four point basket, the 3-D rule and awarding an extra point in the last minute of a quarter. Yes, the fans love the quirky rules but it isn't good for the players. They need to develop their inside game, clock management skills and shooting skills. They don't need to be worrying about putting up what could be a five point shot when they are down 30 in the third quarter.

2) Have the CBA, PBL and NBA sit down and find a way to create a true minor league basketball system. For example have the D-League be equal to baseball's "AAA"; the PBL "AA" and the CBA be "A" ball. (Sorry Dennis, this is all off the top of my head) Create affiliation agreements and have the minors subsidized by the NBA. The Celtics would have the Manchester Millrats of the PBL; the Lakers would have Reno of the D-League, etc. I know this takes money, and there may not be enough teams to create three levels, but I believe this all needs to start somewhere.

3) Implement straight FIBA rules and leave it at that. These guys have a chance to play overseas and FIBA rules are used. Guys like Randy Gill, Hugh Jones and Anthony Anderson aren't going to stay in the minors forever. Get them used to international rules so they can succeed at a higher level.

4) The ABA must go and it must go now. ABA CEO Joe Newman will not like me for this, (Well, he doesn't like me anyway) but he has to sell the league for the $1.56 it is worth and get out. 38% of games played last year, COO Quinton Townsend arrested for fraud and forgery; 230+ teams that have folded or left in seven seasons; teams not showing up for games and players not getting paid is a disgrace to the game. How in the world can a fan base be developed if fans don't know if their team will be there from one day to the next?

5) Leagues like the PBL, CBA and the newly formed USBA need to conduct trainings on how players, coaches and league administrators deal with the media. What people fail to realize is that when a press release looks like a three year old wrote it; a lack of game notes for the media, and players who shoot their mouths off to a guy like me who is just trying to do his job, just makes a team look bad. Teach GM's how to write a solid release, (See the Georgia Gwizzlies and their typo infested releases) and teach players what to say and what not to say to the media. This only improves the impression of a team, league and player.