NBA - Revamped?

I'm going to cut to the chase -- the NBA needs to be revamped. Most ho-hum games like a Pacers-Bucks game on a Tuesday night include crowds that are more interested in what Charlie Sheen is tweeting than the game they paid $100 to attend. I'd venture to say that a K-State game (its stadium holds 12,500) gets louder on a Tuesday afternoon than an NBA arena does on a Friday night. It's that bad.
     So, what's the reason for this? Do the crowds just not care? Do the players not play with enough passion (sometimes this is the case)? I like to believe it's a little of both. Not very often do you see players pumped up, save for the end of the game when the score is close. Most NBA crowds include fans that come to just have a good time, especially at big city teams' games, like the Lakers or the Knicks. This explains why the Oklahoma City Thunder's games' crowds are passionate about their team -- it's not an extremely large city and its fans go because enjoy the Thunder and basketball.
     Let's just imagine, though, for a minute, that NBA arenas were reduced in crowd capacity and its fans loved their team just as much as college students do. A routine 15-foot jumper with 8:30 in the second quarter would attract reactions as if it just won the game. The player would become energized and play with aggression and excitement. Wouldn't that be great? For the crowd not to mutter a word of satisfaction when their teams makes a basket, instead, yell and cheer with ecstasy?
     Unfortunately, I seriously doubt this will ever happen. I don't know what it is, but fans just love going to games to just "hang out". For real. These are players that spent their life trying to make it to the pros, and you're going just to "have a good time" or to "see old friends"? Think about it!
     The encouraging thing is that not all fans are like this. There's always the group of ten or so people that go to cheer on the home team without caring what people think of them. Even if their team is trailing by 17 with 2:05 left to go in the fourth, they are as energized as ever. The ironic thing is that when the game is close and time is winding down, all the fans seem to put away their phones and actually pay attention! Isn't that great! Especially in the playoffs. Last year when the Thunder was in the postseason, all the fans wore a common blue shirt that resembled a college game's crowd. It was really fantastic. The fans cared enough to wear the shirts, the producer of the shirts realized that they would make a difference in the atmosphere, and, as a result, the players responded with energy and played their hearts out.
     What I find confusing, though, is why the players don't play with energy the entire game. You've spent high school and college trying to get to where you are now, and you can't play with even a little passion? Especially the non-starters. Don't you want to be a starter? Do you really think the coach will put you in that position while you continue to be lackadaisical on defense? I'm baffled by it. Just look at college players -- those guys don't get paid; on top of that they have to worry about their schoolwork -- yet they consistently play with ten times more dedication than you NBA players.
     Not to bash, but one would think that a NBA player one-three years removed from college would play with energy; they just played in an environment in which you were expected to play with passion. But, no. Players like John Wall who was a phenom in his years at the University of Kentucky would be expected to play like he meant it -- he came from a basketball powerhouse. It seems to me like he is more interested in making sensational plays than playing his heart out.
     In my mind, it should be every player's goal to be known for being the guy who hustles on every play, stays after practice, never gives up on a play, and becoming the hardest worker they know. Instead, players' priority lists seemed to be dominated by wowing the crowd and making the last shot, not the last pass.
     Not to show favoritism or to appear a bandwagon-er, but look at Tim Tebow. I'm going to concentrate on his outstanding work ethic, not his being known for his faith. He obviously doesn't care about being the hero everyone knows or making the thread-the-needle pass to look good. However, his hard work and dedication to his sport allow him to be that player. He didn't start playing football with the mindset that he's going to be notorious for making the amazing play or being Mr. Clutch. However, he has proved that working hard and always being passionate will allow you to be great.
     So, how about some consideration, guys? I'm talking to you, the guy messaging the girl you met last night, sitting at the game. I'm talking to you, post man too "tired" to get back on defense. Why can't we all be examples of hard work and passion? The next time you're at a game or you think you're tired in a game, don't give in. Show us some passion and energy and make a collective effort to make the NBA a better and more energized environment.
   

Opening Day - Already?

     Wait, what? It's April, you say? It's Opening Day? Didn't Stan Verrett just make an admiring comment on David Freese's heroism in the World Series? This means only one thing -- Sports Illustrated is making yet another half-serious projection of the Royals' finishing third in the AL Central. Great.
     When was the last time that happened? That would be 2003, in case you're wondering, and we didn't even make the postseason. You would have to go back to 1985 if you want to see the Royals in playoff action -- the year we won our lone World Series title.
     And if you think that's bad (and it is), our previous playoff appearance occurred in 1998 when Kansas City finished third, and its winning percentage wasn't even over .500. To add to that, the last time the Royals finished above .500 was in 1994, without a postseason. The only times KC's finished above third place and made the playoffs were in 1985, 1984, '81, '80, '78, '77, and '76. Now, that may seem like a good amount of playoff appearances, but the only team lacking a postseason longer than Kansas City is the Washington Nationals when they were the Montreal Expos.
     But, hey, maybe 2012 could be the year. Everybody's been talking about how good a minor league system the Royals have, but I want to it put to action. The Royals have already called up stud Eric Hosmer and third baseman Mike Moustakas who struggled towards the end of the 2011 season. Probably the Royals' number one prospect for 2012 is outfielder Will Myers who has a good chance of being called up this year, barring injuries' interference.
     Well, seems like this is all I have for my first post. If I don't forget about/don't have time for/give up on this, I might write something again.