📖 Parity is Ruining the NBA's Storytelling, T-Wolves 'Most Wanted' & In-Depth on Klay

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Welcome to the NBA Librarian Weekly, where we curate and summarize the best NBA content each week.

<1000 words each week. I consume so you don’t have to.

In Today's Edition:

1. “The Jaden McDaniels - Kyrie Irving Rule”

2. Is Parity Actually Ruining the NBA’s Storytelling? …

3. Gobert, now T-Wolves: NBA's Most Wanted

4. In-Depth(!) Analysis on Klay’s Fit in Dallas

5. You Get a Stretch Big! Wait, Just Kidding.

“The Jaden McDaniels - Kyrie Irving Rule”

This sparks the age-old debate: "getting it right" versus "flow of the game."

Refs can now retroactively call a foul after an instant replay on an out-of-bounds play. There's already concern about too many stoppages late in games, and this new rule will likely increase those interruptions.

It's a delicate balance—what's more frustrating: losing due to a missed call, or disrupting the natural flow of the game to ensure every call is correct?

Is Parity Actually Ruining the NBA’s Storytelling?

This is an interesting article.

It begins by comparing NFL and NBA parity—the NFL is celebrated for its balanced competitiveness, giving all 32 teams a perceived shot at success each season. Adam Silver's goal is similar—to stand in front of 30 billionaires who are ecstatic because they have high hopes for the upcoming season.

• The NBA is at its highest parity in recent memory. There has been a different champion in the last 6 seasons, with no repeat champion since 2018 and the Warriors. Not only has there not been a repeat finalist since then, but no champion has advanced beyond the second round the following year!

• This volatility stems partly from roster instability, a consequence of tax laws implemented under Commissioner Adam Silver, described by Vincent as a 'wrecking ball' to team stability.

• Introduced in 2011, the luxury tax first notably impacted OKC, contributing to the loss of James Harden after their Finals run. More recently, the Denver Nuggets lost key players like Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to similar financial pressures, significantly weakening their team.

The NBA has thrived on great storytelling—from the '80s rivalry of Magic and Bird, MJ's dominance in the '90s, to the Shaq/Kobe Lakers, Duncan's Spurs, and LeBron's battles with Curry's Warriors.

However, the era of witnessing dynasties and players evolving from rookies to seasoned vets is becoming unrealistic, as financial implications lure players elsewhere. While beneficial for the league's overall numbers, this article made me reflect on the long standing individual fans point of view more.