Is anyone else excited that the NBA season is almost over?! I do not follow the NBA but it seems like it gets shoved in our face.
NBA Playoffs
- Thread starter Irishjohn68
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Sounds like someone who just doesn't like the NBA looking for validation.
Kind of like me and baseball, the most boring activity masquerading as entertainment the world has ever seen.
Kind of like me and baseball, the most boring activity masquerading as entertainment the world has ever seen.
NHL players would wipe the floor with these punks - especially when they have the fighting dance off contests.
There is plenty of defense. You'd know that if you watched and/or played the game instead of regurgitate the same silliness old guys that yearn for the 80's yap about.
The NBA is awful as a whole. That being said the top 6-8 teams are tolerable and watchable. The next 20 teams are embarrassing. I also think the top 10 players in the league are comparable to the top 10 in any generation (besides the late 80s/early 90s) Steph Curry is the best shooter the league has ever seen, period.
In
True I never played in HS I(I wrestled instead), but I have seen the progression to more of an offensive game there is no disputing that and though I am older how does it make my comments untruth in regards to the changing of the game?
No there isnt..
True I never played in HS I(I wrestled instead), but I have seen the progression to more of an offensive game there is no disputing that and though I am older how does it make my comments untruth in regards to the changing of the game?
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They travel and palm the ball on every trip down the court!
traveling and palming allows for great moves! eliminate that and ... what you get is basketball!
traveling and palming allows for great moves! eliminate that and ... what you get is basketball!
Traveling and palming is the least of the problems, although its an issue. New rules favor the offense, and defenses can't be physical, it's a soft league. The teams that actually move the ball and play hoops at a recognizable level are the ones who compete, but yes, the league has fallen dramatically from the days of Stockton, Payton, Jordan, Barkley and are long gone.
Old guys yapping about the 80s? 
I'm 48, maybe that's old to some of you but I watched the 80s and still watch & play a little today, and at least in the 80s we didn't have a bunch of entitled prima donnas more worried about how they look at their press conferences than if they won. And they're the biggest floppers I've ever seen. It's like watching soccer's World Cup, but worse. There are some great talents today, no doubt, but as far as teams go, I don't think there's any comparison. I think Dominique's Hawks teams would wipe the floor w/ these two playing for the title, and they couldn't even make it out of the east back in the day.
I'm 48, maybe that's old to some of you but I watched the 80s and still watch & play a little today, and at least in the 80s we didn't have a bunch of entitled prima donnas more worried about how they look at their press conferences than if they won. And they're the biggest floppers I've ever seen. It's like watching soccer's World Cup, but worse. There are some great talents today, no doubt, but as far as teams go, I don't think there's any comparison. I think Dominique's Hawks teams would wipe the floor w/ these two playing for the title, and they couldn't even make it out of the east back in the day.
would love to have Bill Russell out there and see how many guys wanna drive to the hoop! It would take a team of Surgeons days to remove the BB from their thorax!
Bodizephax
I've posted how many times?
Bill Russell is 82 years old. He would get killed out there.
Give me Doctor J any time. I would rather Doctor J at 65 years old (or however old he is) playing with old times any day of the week.Old guys yapping about the 80s?
I'm 48, maybe that's old to some of you but I watched the 80s and still watch & play a little today, and at least in the 80s we didn't have a bunch of entitled prima donnas more worried about how they look at their press conferences than if they won. And they're the biggest floppers I've ever seen. It's like watching soccer's World Cup, but worse. There are some great talents today, no doubt, but as far as teams go, I don't think there's any comparison. I think Dominique's Hawks teams would wipe the floor w/ these two playing for the title, and they couldn't even make it out of the east back in the day.
Baseball is a thinking man's game. Some people are not smart enough to enjoy it. Get my point?!
from my perspective, the nba fell off for awhile after jordan and many people refuse to acknowledge its resurgence over the past 5 years, whether it be due to nostalgia or not wanting to give it credit.. i'm not a huge nba guy, but i can acknowledge that the league is good again.
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Except the 80s were not that great. Ball-handling was horrible but then no calls were never made about the blatant carrying of the ball. Competition was best in 1960s even with the Celtics coming out on top; at least they were challenged during the play-offs. And the rules were the rules. none of the play to the crowd swallowing the whistle to enhance the scoring in games.
I put the NBA on par with the WWE, it's a rigged league, I question most sports legetimacy these days. Glad it's over, and the OP was right it's shoved in our faces. I turned off ESPN except when ND is on, and I turned off tv in general except Walking Dead and G.O.T.
Not sure what the previous poster is talking about in regards to the 80s not being great because of the ball handling? The carrying of the ball is way more prevalent now than it was back in the 80s. There wasn't as much flash in players' handles back in the day as there is today but there is a whole hell of a lot of carrying w/ the crossover today that wasn't as common back in the 80s. I can't comment on the 60s since I was born in '68, but I'm sure there were great teams based on the fact that there weren't as many teams for one. I do agree that the refs play to the crowds, but that's always been the case, imo. I still watch but I still contend, the pinnacle of the sport was in the 80s and the 90s. That era's best teams were more complete and were better overall, imo.
The best thing about the NBA is when it's over and done with and not on, though Mike and Mike and the rest of these talk shows will be kneeling at the altar of all things NBA for the next two weeks. It's a personal preference, but I would rather attend a life insurance seminar than watch one of these games. As far as these sports shows, I have a black out going for at least the next week.
I hardly ever watch the NBA, yesterday's game was one of the most entertaining sports events I've seen in awhile ... Effort, talent, and nail biting drama ... If it's not your thing no big deal but every sport has changed dramatically since the 80s and the conditioning of today's athletes are worlds ahead of back then
The court side celebs. The court side celebs interacting with players on the court. The TV cameras constantly on court side celebs with court side seats interacting with the players. It's got a strong reality TV, WWE, Roller Derby vibe to the whole thing. No doubt the players are the world's best, but, it's over shadowed by all this other nonsense. I'd rather watch semi-pro miniature golf match play than tune in to the NBA circus. Of course, I am not the targeted audience for the NBA so it all makes sense.
And carrying in the 80s was much worse than in the 60s. Teams in the 60s were much deeper than the 80s or currently. So I would argue the pinnacle of the sport was the 1960s.
Point taken, granite. I guess it's (carrying) gotten progressively worse cuz it's rampant now, more so than the 80s. I don't doubt the 80s were worse than the 60s either. Would've loved to have seen Robertson, west, Baylor, wilt, Russell, Cousy, etc... play. I'm sure it was different but I would've enjoyed watching them. Maybe because of my age, but I would take the 80s Lakers & Celtics teams over any other. Just my opinion.
In terms of the NBA, "old guys" equals late 30's to late 40's. I fall into this range, but I am able to appreciate what we are seeing now. Too many people my age get sucked into nostalgia like our parents did. The level of athleticism is not even close. The skill level is not even close. Because of zone defenses and how teams stretch the court with their size and shooting skills, defending is MUCH harder now.
Those 80's Celtics, Lakers, Hawks and Houston teams would get clobbered by the Warriors, Cavs, OKC or Spurs. Clobbered. None of those teams could defend any of the current teams. Anyone think Bird could cover LeBron out on the perimeter? Anyone think Kevin McHale is covering Kevin Durant beyond the 3 point line? Is Doc Rivers really chasing Steph Curry or Klay Thompsons through multiple screen and stopping him from dropping 3's from 5-6 feet beyond the line? No.
The Lakers are the only team that could put up a fight because of their athleticism, but the lack of a 3 point threat besides Bryon Scott would do them in.
Those 80's Celtics, Lakers, Hawks and Houston teams would get clobbered by the Warriors, Cavs, OKC or Spurs. Clobbered. None of those teams could defend any of the current teams. Anyone think Bird could cover LeBron out on the perimeter? Anyone think Kevin McHale is covering Kevin Durant beyond the 3 point line? Is Doc Rivers really chasing Steph Curry or Klay Thompsons through multiple screen and stopping him from dropping 3's from 5-6 feet beyond the line? No.
The Lakers are the only team that could put up a fight because of their athleticism, but the lack of a 3 point threat besides Bryon Scott would do them in.
You act like anybody today is doing any of those things.. none of those things you mentioned that they couldnt do in the 80s happen currently. I'll take the more physical brand of basketball of the 80s any day of the week. I think the 80s Pistons beat the Cavs in 5 or 6. We actually saw the first glimpse of defense from the Cavs in the Finals and they held the mighty Warriors to 89 on their home court. It's amazing how far a little D goes, just 95% of the league doesn't play it in today's game. That's why the playoffs are bearable (glimpses of defense and effort) but the regular season is rubbish.
I only speak as a magic johnson fan. Lebron is as good as anyone I have seen play in the league. Whether he is as good as MJ or not, he has an incredible attitude and genuine desire to win. MJ always seemed more about proving MJ was the greatest. Lebron just seems to want to win. He is enjoyable to watch and it is good to see him win.
Dollerroller, remember these are just our differing opinions. There's no way for you or I to prove our points. But w/ all due respect, u're full of shit. No player in the NBA now could stop the big men from the 80s. All of them had multiple low post moves and would dominate the paint. Clobbered my ass. You can go ahead and jam the "skill level" comment too. There are so many players in the NBA right now that have zero basketball skills but can jump thru the roof. That doesn't constitute skill. Btw, there were plenty of players w/ athleticism back in the day. You asked if bird could cover lebron on the perimeter? Could Lebron or durant cover bird or Mchale in the post? Not a chance. U can go ahead and use the "oh, you old guys are just being nostalgic" horseshit all you want, but these teams would have no shot against the best of the 80s.
And for the record, magic, Kareem & rambis weren't exactly the most athletic players. Not sure why you would say they would be "able to put up a fight" moreso than other teams from that era. Magic's greatness wasn't about athleticism, it was about pushing the ball and having great ball skills and being a phenomenal passer and scorer. They won and were great because they were great basketball players, not because they were super athletic.
Totally disagree about Jordan. I never saw anyone that wanted to win more than him. He won two titles by passing last second shots to paxson & Kerr. That doesn't sound like someone that is all about making sure he is the best and doesn't really care about winning.
This! The NBA was a great league in the 80's and 90's..... now? It's basically 82 games of slop.
The athletes are amazing, but the teams and basic ball skills are at a low.
Did you watch the Warriors play at all this year? Ball movement, spacing and ability to shoot was very enjoyable to watch
NBA has changed from a big man post and isolation game in the 90's to now most teams just run pick and rolls to start their offense, which allow big man to be able to play out on the floor. Big men in the 90's for the most part were not athletic enough to do this.
Larry Bird would be nullified by Lebron. Bird was not that much of an athlete and rarely did the other side put their best D player on him.
