La Medianoche: "Houston, you've stolen our dynasty!"

Photo Credit: Thomas B. Shea, USA TODAY Sports

Folks, we are less than 65 days away from the start of the NBA’s 2015-16 season. Team rosters for the upcoming year are being finalized, and players are beginning to lock-in on the coming season’s focus. However, a trend has come about within the NBA as of late that has me quite agitated. Now, before the “homer” chants commence, please know that I am from the Midwestern Mitten and currently live in South Florida (as if that lends some validity to this article). But what it is that has me agitated, is the lessening importance of the NBA’s “dynasty” franchises, aka the Boston Celtics, the Los Angeles Lakers & the New York Knicks.

To begin, the situation in New York lends a bit of understanding to this argument; I mean who on earth would want to play with Carmelo Anthony? Again, quiet the “homer” chants as I was once one of Carmelo’s biggest supporters. But statistically proven, what has a Carmelo-led team accomplished?

Anyway, what has happened to the NBA’s dynasty franchises, as previously referenced? How is it that the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers suddenly become high profile destinations (yes Greg Monroe, I’m talking to you; from Detroit to Milwaukee, you’ve now moved to the 34^th largest media market in the United States)? Well, with the exception of Major League Baseball, this same argument could be made across all major American sports. For instance, the Anaheim Ducks have been a preferred destination in the National Hockey League as of late, over a team such as the Montreal Canadians. In the NFL, DeMarco Murray bolted for the Philadelphia Eagles, rather than continuing his tenure with a much more storied Dallas Cowboys franchise.

Okay, New York Knicks. Aaron Afflalo and Robin Lopez aren’t bad. But why weren’t you able to land LaMarcus Aldridge or a Monta Ellis-type of player? Boston, quality work on winning-over Jae Crowder. But what about Kevin Love? Yes, LeBron James is in Cleveland, but Kevin Love, please go make a name for yourself on your own team. Plus, who would pick Cleveland over Boston? I mean, if you’re going to be cold in the winter, I would rather be cold in Boston (and yes, I am still bitter over you not coming home to the Lakers). And to the Lakers, with this being Kobe Bryant’s potential final season in the league, the conversation begins and ends there.

One could make the argument that this occurrence runs hand-in-hand with today’s generation. We see that in a vast majority of 30-and-under’s, ambition is quite easily overlooked while the easy way home is the taken path. Regardless, instead of me sitting at home and sulking over the question “what are people doing, this is the Los Angeles Lakers” (which happens often), we all should accept the fact that this isn’t your father’s basketball league. Additionally, God has not pre-destined your team to be the destination of all superstars. The fact of the matter is that players today would much rather win a ring with their buddies alongside, and the sooner we begin to realize this (along with myself), the better-off we will be. Enjoy the game, folks! The 2015-16 season is not too far away.