Is NBA Hindering Ice Cube's BIG3 Basketball League Growth?

By: Fatima Roshni Image credit: USA Today Sports

[{"selector":"#anim-4aa770c8-e774-4241-9f1a-95f141d176f0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e0fceb4c-1e86-4b07-bcf0-e0997be24d7e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 68.07050%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-59b1447f-070f-4902-a135-f930fc1508bf","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b4ba3af1-2c35-4669-9798-5e2d95775c8a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-24.640820389413932%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Establishing its legacy over the years, the NBA, with its representation as one of the major professional sports leagues of today, is currently under debate with another basketball league.

[{"selector":"#anim-9d7bed49-1035-4318-9545-ef6c6bbe353b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(67.77400568790294%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-df217243-4b03-43a3-b0ba-718db40373ab","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5e749a8c-19ab-4fb9-8640-13bb2c484a62","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-35d6db5d-a1ac-4d55-b9a7-9239abccd855","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6087705f-a2a6-4109-b55d-58a65f69f835","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Investigations and allegations of mistrust have been stated by the BIG3, a 3-on-3 basketball league with claims of discouragement and no support received from the NBA on sponsorships and networking.

[{"selector":"#anim-04eb95d0-6e2c-4f73-a8aa-5ccedbcb343e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b9aed74f-4825-405b-a84d-0841d5580ae6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-df861c44-5925-46ac-90fc-143977b539a7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-11.885379639200217%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The United States Department of Justice has, however, been involved in the case for over a year, gathering evidence and information from both leag ues and remaining in contact with the owners.

[{"selector":"#anim-6bd83dc6-91a7-4faf-9d7a-0366593c6c68 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(66.4512692660231%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fe4aaf41-66f3-471c-a494-66cdc5fc9a3e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-acadc400-e0ed-450d-a5ae-fe66828c3a4f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-94.97817%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3c7cb529-d784-4575-8330-b24c8e580b47","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cf8f88e0-8a23-4ad3-8fee-475a9ca0725b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.50632%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Established in 2017 by musician Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz, the league features the participation of former basketball players from both the NBA and international leagues.

[{"selector":"#anim-40ab2892-19bf-4ce0-8d6c-4f880eef7c64","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dce02261-fdcf-4cd1-a4d2-8ecc9ae82e28","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 63.23179%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-10d9dd79-cb6a-43dd-9d7d-9715d9dfb0b6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b843dc16-2c61-499c-bf0e-7ac8d4024f3e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-67.69316380306752%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] With the involvement and linkup of NBA players with the Big3, the league has, however, structured up some rules and regulations to prevent its former star's involvement or association.

[{"selector":"#anim-6c2c6923-ed68-4cfd-bbd1-0422f826684e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-2.7733213536908288%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-108dc91c-f033-4ed9-9c34-299e5686656d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-38d5ae33-0004-4eb0-aef8-72a3638baa08","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0ca54cdf-8950-4a26-87bc-f8f007d87757","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8d1dd439-45ba-4b9f-87e7-94a3aab4c90e","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] From players to coaches and franchises, all are rumored to have been discouraged by the NBA while trying to display and reflect on their competitive behavior towards the Big3.

[{"selector":"#anim-36f0d691-aaf0-4cce-9431-1cb96870fe66 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-43.867186929644696%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-38fc0819-36be-4eaf-9683-c8d87c47b40f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bed36913-c705-4123-ac5c-79f0c1809363","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -422.01385%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bea59393-830d-4e15-9113-0ee5cbbedf41","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7556745f-e797-47be-94fd-0e3aca45e86b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-95.77778%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Following the rumors, a TMZ report stated, “ Some current players have expressed a desire to play in [the BIG3] in the offseason... As the Big3 sees it, the NBA has prevented guys from doing so .”

[{"selector":"#anim-14f9d598-6237-4c68-85a5-04df7be77b10 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(2.1645527317110833%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2ffd231a-dd54-4f87-b2e4-3cb720a997a2","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.5)","scale(0.95)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2500,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}] [{"selector":"#anim-5d8aa655-7863-4ed6-9ea8-fe13b0c7786c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-00a1758d-5c04-49f7-97c8-acaed8881575","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Stating on receiving lack of support from the NBA at the initial stages of the Big3 establishment, Cube stated his disappointment against the NBA on grounds of two leagues' competition and growth.

[{"selector":"#anim-41febc1c-1857-4dd6-a514-3a7759f2ee28","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d1676cd7-f887-4f1a-9d0b-6e6dbb6c5a1a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 68.07050%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4666564f-9deb-4602-9a34-8aaf6479f19a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0f5de432-0b8f-4804-b84a-e1639575394c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-27.707226615457664%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] In his interview with CBS Sports, Cube states, " It's really about not hurting us behind scenes with sponsors and networks. Calling us competition in their bylaws is not right, and we don't want that ."

[{"selector":"#anim-a95fac6e-79ae-4a2a-8acf-7c1579a174cd [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(15.652276423227695%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a7039a5d-476d-40e8-83fe-1a35344bd10a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-740a3830-2594-45aa-b178-a1631eacc875","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-68b9227f-4984-45e2-b36c-4e59e4a3f56c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9e354889-95a6-41bb-b151-e230670acb8f","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] " So it's just a little unfair... At a certain point, it's really like if they don't want to work with us, I understand that, but doing some of the things they're doing to hurt us is not cool ."

Is NBA Hindering Ice Cube's BIG3 Basketball League Growth?

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