You got that right, Tom. Further, he nails the primary problem: “[T]he organization’s biggest flaw is this — it doesn’t really care if you show up.”
His evidence for this attitude is MJ’s dogged insistence on hiding away in his private suite for games. That is too narrow.
The entire fan experience — starting with the ticket prices — is unwelcoming, if not downright hostile. If I pay a minimum of $40 a ticket — dubious to start, as that is already 50 percent more than I paid to see UNC in the same building — I certainly do not expect to have to shell out $50 to $100 more on a couple hot dogs, drinks, a couple beers, etc. AND do so at overwhelmed and understaffed concession counters.
There is just nothing particularly enjoyable about a Bobcat game. Nothing that says you have to be there. Part of that is the NBA itself, which is at a low ebb for watchability right now. As for the Bobcats, they made some really dubious decisions personnel-wise — too many to recount here. The resulting product is weak, as their record attests.
Now suppose they add a Brook Lopez in the lotto and re-sign Okafor — you busting out the credit card for tix?
Me neither. I just don’t care.
