Summer of 2010 proved tough for these owners

Gut feeling here, but on the list of Things NBA Owners Would Rather Not See, right at the top are (1) empty seats, (2) sponsor withdraw and (3) a repeat of the Summer of 2010.

With regard to the third item, well, maybe those hectic summer months were fun for fans who liked to follow along. And it did generate news for the league during a traditionally dead period. And the NBA store sure did whip up those new jerseys in a flash, didn't they? But most owners, with understandable exception of Micky Arison in Miami, weren't too thrilled about the suddenly shifting landscape, the amount of fanny-kissing and ego-stroking, and the millions of dollars thrown about in July and August, even to marginal players. In that regard, it was a summer to forget.

In retrospect, it was a summer ruled by players who flexed their muscle through free agency and in some cases actually held entire franchises hostage. It was a frightening sight for owners who were accustomed to being the boss, who loved being authority figures and who wielded behind-the-scenes power in a league that, in perception anyway, is all about players. It was a shock to the system, and shook the league at its core, when a select handful of free agents, LeBron James in particular, sat on a throne and had owners kneeling at their feet for a few weeks.

And then, there were scattered examples of elite players dropping hints, mainly through their "people," that they'd rather be traded, or else. As much as owners like to subscribe to the theory that no single player is above the team, some players are pretty close.

It wasn't a particularly great summer for the following:

He's a guy who did everything right, only to see it all go wrong this summer. Gilbert turned the Cavs into a first-class operation immediately after purchasing the team, building a terrific practice complex and showing a willingness to cope with luxury tax issues by giving the OK to absorb the contracts of Shaquille O'Neal and Antawn Jamison. Plus, Gilbert laid the red carpet out for LeBron and crew, giving them leeway (perhaps too much) and perks. Gilbert's intentions were good, but everything collapsed when LeBron announced he'd rather take his talents to South Beach. Suddenly, the Cavs' franchise value took a serious dive (perhaps $100 million, according to business types) and their profile will be several notches lower this season. Plus, because they were specifically built to complement LeBron, the Cavs need to redefine themselves and undergo a roster transformation.

He had millions to give away and nobody wanted the loot. Not a single A-list free agent had the Clippers on their radar, which wasn't a ringing endorsement for a franchise and owner who suffer from image issues. Just one commitment from a LeBron or an Amar'e Stoudemire or Chris Bosh could've bumped the Clippers up in the standings and possibly wiped away much if not all of the stigma that follows this team. It's not as though the Clippers didn't have anything to offer a free agent, in terms of money or teammates (Chris Kaman, Baron Davis, etc.) or environment (Los Angeles!). But none gave the Clippers much thought, and because of that, Sterling and the franchise must cope with at least another season in the shadow of the team across town. Or should we say, the team on the other side of the tracks.

Stoudemire left $17 million on the table and bolted for New York, leaving Sarver and the Suns without an All-Star big man. In addition, Steve Kerr left town, although the GM's departure wasn't necessarily related. Anyway, the Suns didn't recoup the loss of Stoudemire, which could prove costly here in the final remaining years of Steve Nash. There's still some decent talent on board and Alvin Gentry's a solid coach, but you need stars to win championships and the Suns lost one, along with their title hopes.

If you compare the Knicks in 2010-11 to the Knicks of the last decade, then yes, the franchise does seem better off. But these Knicks wasted the last three or so years because they wanted LeBron or Dwyane Wade. Stoudemire, hardly a slouch, represents Option No. 3. So it's all about perception, really. For a team located in the biggest market, and a team with an owner who's willing to laugh at the luxury tax, the Knicks expected so much more this summer. Plus, Dolan didn't help himself or the Knicks with his weird flirtation with Isiah Thomas.

Congratulations on buying the St. Louis Rams, Mr. Kroenke. But what exactly are you passing on to your son, in the form of the Nuggets? It all depends on how Josh handles the Carmelo Anthony situation. If 'Melo wanted to be in Denver, he would've signed that extension. He didn't, which means the Nuggets must get something for him, rather than watch him walk next summer for nothing. And once he goes, the Nuggets will need a new identity. It's not easy finding superstars and even harder to keep them, something the Nuggets are now discovering.

A franchise that doesn't exactly generate gazillions at the gate chose to pay $126 million to Joe Johnson, someone who doesn't make a difference at the gate.

Shaun Powell is a veteran NBA writer and columnist. You can e-mail him here and follow him on twitter.

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