Does the NBA exist?

Whether it was George Berkeley or not, someone once posed the question, if a tree falls in a forest, and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? It creates a debate between philosophical and scientific corners. In this case, as October has become November, is there a sound emanating from the NBA?

The NBA made its first sound when the Russell led Celtics dominated Wilt, whether in Philadelphia or Los Angeles. The Celtics were an American institution; winning titles were as certain as death and taxes. Dominant teams tend to capture attention.

Yet, the 1970's ushered in a new era. As the decade wore on, the NBA became a second rate league. Whether it was too little defense, too many drugs or any of a variety of reasons, the Association barely had a heartbeat.

Ahh, enter The Hick from French Lick and the Magic Man. Larry and Magic. Celtics and Lakers. East Coast vs. West Coast. Blue Collar battles "Showtime." Whatever story line grabbed an individual's interest, it did spark never before seen interest in the NBA. There was a palpable electricity in the air on those June championship nights, whether in the steamy Gahden or the Fabulous Forum. The NBA was alive and very well.

On to MJ and his Bulls. The most recognizable person in the world was an NBA player. Children in other countries recognized Michael Jordan before the President of the United States. His team was dominant too. Six titles tend to capture attention.

What would happen after MJ? The NBA continued to roll out superstars to mass market, from Kobe and Shaq to Bron- Bron. Sprinkle in an Allen Iverson, a D Wade, a "Big Three,"even a Dirk or Tim Duncan in smaller doses and there were captivating stars fueling the league. Teams? Skim past Rockets and Pistons and Spurs (Lions and Tigers and Bears) and focus on the Celtics and Lakers again...even the South Beach Heat. The NBA retained a strong pulse.

Right now there is no pulse. There's no sound. There's nothing capturing our attention. The story is, 50% versus 52% has created an epic divide. Be careful though. As much as a certain four letter network (and a couple lesser three letter networks) will force feed us the Association as soon as it returns, maybe most of us will have found we don't miss professional hoops that much. Maybe we'll have found more exciting, more interactive, more useful and more productive pastimes to occupy our evenings and holidays? Maybe we only paid attention to the playoffs anyway? Maybe we saw in Bird and Magic and MJ all that was great? Maybe the "Golden Era" was just that?

Whatever the case, I don't hear anything from the NBA right now. Whether I'm a rabid fan or a casual observer, silence rarely inspires. Absence in sports doesn't make the heart grow fonder. It makes us wonder if what we knew ever existed at all.