Marxist reforms for the NBA

Bertil Ollmann writes:

The rules of basketball have changed often over the years, so I hope no one will object if I offer a few modest revisions to make this truly wonderful game even better:

First, I would charge an admission fee not only to watch the game but to play in it. And the more one pays, the longer one gets to stay in the game.

Second, there should be a price paid for each shot taken, and the easier the shot, the more it should cost.

Third, as for fouls, one should be able to pay the referees, so that they never call any fouls on you (or walking or double dribble violations for that matter).

Fourth - and maybe most important - there is no good reason that the baskets should be the same height for both teams. It should be possible for the team that pays more to have its basket lowered, and for double that amount to have the basket  the other team is going for raised.

Under present rules, those players who are taller and better coordinated and can run faster and jump higher have all the advantages. My rules would exchange the advantages enjoyed by these people for other advantages that would benefit  a different  group, one that  has been poorly served by basketball as now played. That group is the rich.  With my rules, the rich would possess all the "talent" (what it takes to win) and - more in keeping with what occurs in the rest of society -  never lose a game.

The (ostensible) goal is to educate people about how capitalism really works. But if we are going to play the game of caricatures, I'd like to see a "democratic NBA."  The vote of the crowd determines who wins the game.  Your points can be taken away from you at any time and given to the other team.  And note that foreign policy -- arguably the most important thing our government does -- is determined solely by the vote of the crowd of the home team.

For those of you who care about real "regulated by a third party private intermediary" NBA basketball, here is an analysis of the top five contenders.  The betting markets tell a different story.