Talking Points: NBA contraction lottery

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Here’s a suggestion for David Stern, who always enjoys hearing from Talking Points: Hold an NBA contraction lottery. Think that wouldn’t get the attention of players, fans and agents alike?

Forget LeBron leaving Cleveland.

What if the Cavs disappeared?

Just like the draft lottery, it would be weighted. So the Bobcats, Hornets, Hawks, Bucks, Pacers and Timberwolves would have more balls in the basket than the more valuable/successful franchises. (Based on the value of franchises, the Trail Blazers are in the middle of the pack).

We admit this would be a gut-wrenching show in Portland. But imagine the tension as Stern walks to the podium with the logos of six teams that are going bye-bye. Imagine the indigestion among agents who are about to lose 72 well-paid clients as Stern flashes his trademark “do-you-know-who-I-am?” smirk and bids farewell to six under-performing franchises. (Stern, we’re confident, would rig it so that the Knicks, Celtics, Lakers and Bulls aren’t at risk.)

The other owners shouldn’t care.

After all, more than six of them are losing major cash in this league (or so they say).

It would be must-see TV. The result? Well, with only 24 teams, the basketball — once they get around to playing it — would be better.

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Oregon and Arizona State play an important football game in Saturday in Eugene. But this game isn’t nearly as significant as it was a year ago.

That’s because the Sun Devils have all but wrapped up the Pac-12 South title, and the Ducks fate will most likely come down to November visits to Stanford and Seattle.

The winner on Saturday will have a leg up on hosting the first Pac-12 championship game. But as for the actual Pac-12 title, this tilt won’t mean all that much.

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OK, Seattle sports fans, who are you more excited about?

Is it the Whitehurst wave that is the Seahawks? Is it the Price-is-right Huskies? Is it the cardiac Cougars, who are just good enough to make their fans care again? Or is it the Sounders FC, who actually have a shot to win multiple cups this year?

At least there are a few options this fall. Feels like it’s been a while.