Memo to the NBA owners: The lockout that you have imposed could not have come at a worse time. Forget that Dirk Nowitzki is a bonafide star and that the Dallas Mavericks are no longer a team that can’t be considered a legitimate championship contender because of their inability to get the job done in the postseason. Forget that Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, and the circus that has gone on in the Miami Heat organization has attracted a whole new group of followers to the association. Forget that the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Clippers are relevant again with young stars like Derrick Rose and Blake Griffin, that the Cleveland Cavaliers will have some cavalry the next time they face the Heat, or that the New York Knicks appear on the verge of becoming the next big three. The NBA lockout could not have come at a worse time with so many interesting sports betting storylines to follow, and that will really hurt the product in the long run.

The NHL is now drawing better ratings than it ever has, while the college basketball product will remain relevant with new sports betting bonus stars joining those that decided to stay back including Harrison Barnes and Jared Sullinger. There are several platforms that basketball fans can now turn to, and if the lockout extends they could lose interest in the NBA altogether. The NBA could not have picked a worse time to lock out its players, and it is questionable whether they will ever be able to get back to where they were.