In the short term, expansion looks like a wise move. In the inaugural season, it would hardly be surprising if Charlotte and Miami packed their arenas for most games. But what about next year and the year after?

When Miami and Charlotte go 2-80 this year, 4-78 the next, who is going to bother to show up for year three?

There will always be crowds coming out to see Bird, Jordan and Johnson. But how many fans will go to Charlotte's home game against the Phoenix Suns?

And how many television viewers will tune in to Miami versus New Jersey? The more no-names the NBA puts on its courts, the fewer people the league will attract to its games.

Expansion teams will also be curses on already established teams. Next year, Charlotte and Miami, thanks to pathetic initial seasons, will get high picks in the draft. This will push other teams down a few notches. By the time the Celtics and Lakers get to choose, there will be no talent, let alone superstars, left.

What happens when Larry Bird, Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson become too old to play? The Celtics, the Bulls and the Lakers will get a taste of the NBA's new commitment to mediocrity.

It will be a sad day indeed when the Celtics versus the Lakers is as boring as Phoenix versus New Jersey.