NBA changed for the good or worse?

[griznation1]

Watching my high school play basketball and noticing how much contact there was (similar to the NBA in the 80's-90's) made me wonder on what happened to the NBA. Back then it was all physical and you would have people handchecking, centers and forwards could camp the paint and hard fouls being committed with some calls being made, but not all the time. I wasn't alive to witness the 90's but looking at hours of footage, touching a player (especially Kobe) nowadays it's an automatic foul.

This present day NBA benefits the speedier and more athletic players than size and finesse. Also, players are just dunking and doing flashy shots instead of focusing on the fundamentals. The fact that players nowadays can score points and don't have to worry too much about having their defenders breathing down their necks, being handchecked or getting blocked by the center, parked in the paint (there was no defensive 3 in the key...) The lack of dominant post big men (Shaq was the last one) also attributes to make me wonder: Did the NBA change so much it become worse...or better?

[BearClaw]

Re: NBA changed for the good or worse?

WORSE The average professional athlete nowadays is physical specimen to be marveled at. The entertainment factor of todays NBA Talent with 80's rules would be immense.

[InthePaint]

Re: NBA changed for the good or worse?

[SteelersFreak]

Re: NBA changed for the good or worse?

The idea that defense was SO MUCH better in the 90's is a little silly. At times it was, but you also had teams like the 90-91 Denver Nuggets that gave up 130 points a game while scoring 117 a game.

[griznation1]

Re: NBA changed for the good or worse?

The idea that defense was SO MUCH better in the 90's is a little silly. At times it was, but you also had teams like the 90-91 Denver Nuggets that gave up 130 points a game while scoring 117 a game.

It only was because there was no 3 in the key, and handchecking. That's what made 'defense' so much better back in the 90's, but also points were harder to come by.

[return.specialist]

Re: NBA changed for the good or worse?

The game has changed for better and also for worse.

For the average fan, eg corporate ticket-holders, fan boys, etc--the sources of the majority of League profits--the game has changed for the better. Hampering many defensive tactics of the past, and eliminating a number of other 'interruptions', has resulted in decreases in game time and increases in high-light plays. Thus, average fans get what they pay for and generally don't sit through epic games.

However, for basketball purists (my self included), there a number of adjustments that detract from the appeal of the modern game. Traveling and palming are rampant and rarely called. Just last night, a fouled was called against Lebron who proceeded to take three steps before finishing at the rim for a chance at a 3-point play. In this case the foul was highly questionable from my perspective, but the fast-break or drive-to-the-basket with any contact on a star-player is a guaranteed foul. What is most upsetting--i can deal with the foul--but the basket should be negated by the travel. Half of Allen Iverson's career was based on palming.

The absence of the dominant big man is discomforting but is part of the evolution of the game I suppose.

What probably frustrates me the most, is the complaining and lobbying to officials by players--especially following missed field goals when the player should be getting back on defense. I believe the league implemented a rule to attenuate this behavior, but it is still prevalent.

So for the average fan, the game has changed for the better. For the purists, it has changed for the worse.

[ojandpizza]

It only was because there was no 3 in the key, and handchecking. That's what made 'defense' so much better back in the 90's, but also points were harder to come by.

There was no 3 in the key but there was illegal defense. You couldn't camp in the lane then either. And hand-checking is probably the most over exaggerated thing in basketball history.. It still happens today and was never use that much back then. It's not like guys were in shoving matches out there.. If you watch Mario Chalmers play he still uses the hand check often and gets away with it. Probably the best in the league at doing so.. He or Rondo

[return.specialist]

Re: NBA changed for the good or worse?

It should be noted that the advent of the 3-point line and the threat of skill players behind the arc has contributed to the spreading of the game and quite possibly limiting the impact of the traditional center.

I'm willing to assume, that the majority of fans like the 3-point line--my self included.

[InthePaint]

Re: NBA changed for the good or worse?

Those grind out low scoring Pat Riley Knicks games in the 90's were hard to watch.

The NBA doesnt want 87 to 79 final scores.

The lack of Interior play is a bad thing. I see less inside out now. It dribble penetration or drive and pass then shoot a three.

I miss the big man ala Webber, Shaq, Malone, Divac getting the ball in the post and passing to a cutter or taking it to the hole themselves or kicking it out to then get it back after deeper established position.

David West does it.

[ojandpizza]

Those grind out low scoring Pat Riley Knicks games in the 90's were hard to watch.

The NBA doesnt want 87 to 79 final scores.

The lack of Interior play is a bad thing. I see less inside out now. It dribble penetration or drive and pass then shoot a three.

I miss the big man ala Webber, Shaq, Malone, Divac getting the ball in the post and passing to a cutter or taking it to the hole themselves or kicking it out to then get it back after deeper established position.

David West does it.

David West has a nice old school game, I've always thought that

[24]

Re: NBA changed for the good or worse?

Worse much worse. Practically all the physicality is gone in today's game. True point guards are slowly becoming a thing of the past with guys like D-Rose and Westbrook. Man to man defense back in the day was fantastic because if you couldn't guard your man then help defense would be required and then the offense would spread the ball around. Players were developed properly, their wasn't any of this European big man stuff if you were tall you would be taught how to play the post properly, with strength and physicality. The players were much more refined they picked certain aspects of the game and excelled at them. Furthermore small market teams actually had great players. The Charlotte Hornets were hardly a big market team but had Mourning and LJ. The Sonics weren't big market and they had Kemp and GP. Almost every team had a great player their was none of this Super Mega Free agency team because the players back then actually had the hunger to prove something, rather than take the easy way out. Its not even a contest The NBA is slowly getting worse and worse with each passing year. /Rant

[youvalss]

Re: NBA changed for the good or worse?

There are many things that I don't like in today's NBA (which is why I don't even watch that much NBA the past decade or so).

One thing I don't like today: half of the league changing teams every year. Really, if you don't follow the NBA closely during the off season, it's as if you are being introduced to the NBA for the first time. At least that's how I feel. And we're talking big stars, not the 10th guy off the bench.

It's almost as if half of the league (well, more than half) is rebuilding every year or two. To me, the NBA is a big mess, and I don't like it. There's way too much of everything, and that's just sad.

[BearClaw]

Re: NBA changed for the good or worse?

Worse much worse. Practically all the physicality is gone in today's game. True point guards are slowly becoming a thing of the past with guys like D-Rose and Westbrook. Man to man defense back in the day was fantastic because if you couldn't guard your man then help defense would be required and then the offense would spread the ball around. Players were developed properly, their wasn't any of this European big man stuff if you were tall you would be taught how to play the post properly, with strength and physicality. The players were much more refined they picked certain aspects of the game and excelled at them. Furthermore small market teams actually had great players. The Charlotte Hornets were hardly a big market team but had Mourning and LJ. The Sonics weren't big market and they had Kemp and GP. Almost every team had a great player their was none of this Super Mega Free agency team because the players back then actually had the hunger to prove something, rather than take the easy way out. Its not even a contest The NBA is slowly getting worse and worse with each passing year. /Rant

I'd say that adequately sums up the opinion of most BASKETBALL fans. It absolutely disgusted me how people tried to justify the actions of James, Wade, and Bosh by saying "there have been tons of Big 3s throughout history" difference being that in the before time teams were drafted and built up and the best players wanted to play AGAINST the best not with them.

My only gripe with your post is the dislike of the Eurostyle finesse Big. They add a wrinkle to both offensive and defensive schemes that only makes the game better (and im not saying that because the Spurs are essentially a Euro team)

[InthePaint]

Re: NBA changed for the good or worse?

I think Expansion of the 90s didnt help.

Id remove 5 teams and go back to 25 teams.

[InthePaint]

Re: NBA changed for the good or worse?

My only gripe with your post is the dislike of the Eurostyle finesse Big. They add a wrinkle to both offensive and defensive schemes that only makes the game better (and im not saying that because the Spurs are essentially a Euro team)

Dirk won when he finally got in the Low Post and played like a big.