No remedy?

Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner Chito Narvasa is set on studying how to fix the obvious flaws in how the league tries to achieve parity. Among them are the system for establishing the draft order and trades among teams from the same mother corporation. Similar to the formation of legislation, though, any new measures can only remedy future events, and will have no impact on current controversies, like Kia giving up the top draft pick. We all know the story.

The question, however, is if there really is any remedy against those who want to subvert the system, for whatever reason. If teams want to skirt the rules, they will find a way, either through backroom deals, or implausible draft picks, as you will see in a little while. Implementation and interpretation of any new rules can be gray, murky areas. The efficacy of any new rules can be decided by how badly teams will want to give up their picks for other considerations. It’s been done before.

Let’s look at the establishment of the draft order. Hypothetically, there is nothing to stop a franchise from finding ways to lose if they really want to do so just to land the top pick. Any intervention could be construed as telling them how to run their team. There is the presumed imperative to build a winner as fast a possible. Even, for the improbable sake of argument, if a team tries to learn the triangle offense, they will definitely lose a lot initially, nobody can tell them to forsake that course of action for a quicker fix. After all, despite the constant decline in free throw shooting percentages, nobody is telling players to shoot underhanded, a technique proven to be more effective.

Let’s look at some possible remedies. What about disallowing teams from trading first-round picks throughout their rookie year? This might work, forcing teams to commit to the players that they are likely to draft on paper. At least they will have to work with the player for one year, a year which could reveal flaws on his game, a bad attitude, or, on the other hand, convince the team to keep him for a while. If you imposed a longer moratorium, teams could get stuck with a lemon, and be unable to maneuver to acquire another stellar phenom. 

The only way this rule could be defeated is by teams to conspire, save a step and go right ahead and pick unlikely choices on draft day, showing their hand and infuriating fans. This would be very difficult to do, since there would be other teams drafting in between who might intervene and steal the desired player or players. Also, the more daring, more public, riskier aspect of it just might discourage teams from giving away their top picks. Maybe.

Another possible fix could be reinstating the handicapping system for imports. In the past, weaker teams were allowed taller imports, or even two imports, and it was a decent measure that seemed to work for a while. Since the import-laden conferences account for only 30 percent of the draft order, it would not be so devastating to the top teams from the Philippine Cup or All-Filipino to play against two-import teams for one conference. The only problem is that it would cost the lower-level teams more in salaries, and local players might object to having two imports playing the majority of the minutes. Then again, two imports (a small guard and a big man) could be limited to the two or three lowest teams only. Or if it’s too complicated, handicapping the heights of imports might be more acceptable. A few more wins from this rule may just impact the bottom half of the league enough to influence the draft order.

Another possible solution is to have teams announce their first-round picks earlier, perhaps after the Rookie Draft Combine, or even sooner. This will seal their commitment to that player. Besides, there are very few surprises after the first pick, as the sports media would have sniffed out probable selections anyway. And you’d still have the highly public formality of the draft, with the traditional photos of the newly selected putting on their new teams’ caps and jackets. The draft itself is a show for the fans, who will celebrate their teams’ picks, regardless.

After the PBA installs new rules, it must also educate the fans. The league is also battling the perception that not everyone is competing at the same level or with the same will to win, which is harder to remedy.