NBA Basketball

[Pitt79]

I was a Chicago Bulls fan back in the day, from like 1970 to the end of the Jordan Era, since then, I kind of lost interest.

So recently the Bulls are getting better, so I decide to try to return to being a Bulls fan.

What I find is the games are pretty damn boring, it's a lot of trading 3s and jump shots shot at a really high % and fouls, rebounding ; defending etc. doesn't seem to matter all that much.

I mean, I actually think it bores me because the players are TOO GOOD. Then I watch Pitt's games, close, low scoring, kind of hard fought, but definitely way less skilled.

I remember in the 90s I enjoyed NBA, has it changed? I just don't remember it being so dominated by trading 3s?

 

[King Of All Message Boards]

I was a Chicago Bulls fan back in the day, from like 1970 to the end of the Jordan Era, since then, I kind of lost interest.

So recently the Bulls are getting better, so I decide to try to return to being a Bulls fan.

What I find is the games are pretty damn boring, it's a lot of trading 3s and jump shots shot at a really high % and fouls, rebounding ; defending etc. doesn't seem to matter all that much.

I mean, I actually think it bores me because the players are TOO GOOD. Then I watch Pitt's games, close, low scoring, kind of hard fought, but definitely way less skilled.

I remember in the 90s I enjoyed NBA, has it changed? I just don't remember it being so dominated by trading 3s?

Yes. It’s changed quite a bit. More knowledgeable people than me will weigh in but the 3 and analytics have changed the game quite a bit.

However rebounding and defending still matter plenty. Some will weigh in and say the NBA doesn’t play defense and that’s just plain wrong.

What’s funny I’ve used the same phrase
- too good - myself. Guys are amazingly skilled. I don’t enjoy it as much as I once did either but I’ll still watch as a sports fan because so many guys are just worth watching.

 

[Pitt79]

Yes. It’s changed quite a bit. More knowledgeable people than me will weigh in but the 3 and analytics have changed the game quite a bit.

However rebounding and defending still matter plenty. Some will weigh in and say the NBA doesn’t play defense and that’s just plain wrong.

What’s funny I’ve used the same phrase
- too good - myself. Guys are amazingly skilled. I don’t enjoy it as much as I once did either but I’ll still watch as a sports fan because so many guys are just worth watching.

The thing to me is, you watch NBA games and the players are awesome, near perfection, then you watch Pitt play Louisville or BC and to me anyways, it seems more like a battle, more entertainment, precisely because they aren't so good.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Yes. It’s changed quite a bit. More knowledgeable people than me will weigh in but the 3 and analytics have changed the game quite a bit.

However rebounding and defending still matter plenty. Some will weigh in and say the NBA doesn’t play defense and that’s just plain wrong.

What’s funny I’ve used the same phrase
- too good - myself. Guys are amazingly skilled. I don’t enjoy it as much as I once did either but I’ll still watch as a sports fan because so many guys are just worth watching.

The main reason I don't watch it is also because the players are too good. Its like watching a video game. College players are way less skilled but that makes the game more interesting to me.

 

[Pitt79]

The main reason I don't watch it is also because the players are too good. Its like watching a video game. College players are way less skilled but that makes the game more interesting to me.

I feel the same way, college games seem like a battle, a struggle, everything seems to be accomplished too easily in NBA games, I was watching a couple games this year thinking they should get rid of the 3 point line altogether.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I feel the same way, college games seem like a battle, a struggle, everything seems to be accomplished too easily in NBA games, I was watching a couple games this year thinking they should get rid of the 3 point line altogether.

I mean nobody wants to see a 44-42 game but a good 71-68 college game, I'll take that any time over watching 121-117 NBA players playing perfectly.

 

[pittjas]

The thing to me is, you watch NBA games and the players are awesome, near perfection, then you watch Pitt play Louisville or BC and to me anyways, it seems more like a battle, more entertainment, precisely because they aren't so good.

The players in the NBA play hard all the time but watch NBA playoff basketball. It’s truly amazing when you see them playing 100% on defense and you see some of the shots guys like KD make over said defense.

It’s a different game than college basketball.

 

[Pitt79]

The players in the NBA play hard all the time but watch NBA playoff basketball. It’s truly amazing when you see them playing 100% on defense and you see some of the shots guys like KD make over said defense.

It’s a different game than college basketball.

I've seen it, I just find it boring compared to college basketball.

 

[BargeDog]

Moving the ball around the perimeter or kicking it out for a 3 or isolations al a Luka D is not as interesting, imho, as old-style basketball which put a premium on movement, passing, team play and working it closer for a better shot.

The 3 -pt shot was meant to open the game up and unclog the middle. It unclogged the middle, in the NBA at least, but has made the game a lot less interesting.

But then again I'm just an old coot who likes good passing, team play and is not all that interesting in posterizing, chest pounding or sneaker brands....or cellphone life, since we're talking about it

 

[Franb]

Moving the ball around the perimeter or kicking it out for a 3 or isolations al a Luka D is not as interesting, imho, as old-style basketball which put a premium on movement, passing, team play and working it closer for a better shot.

The 3 -pt shot was meant to open the game up and unclog the middle. It unclogged the middle, in the NBA at least, but has made the game a lot less interesting.

But then again I'm just an old coot who likes good passing, team play and is not all that interesting in posterizing, chest pounding or sneaker brands....or cellphone life, since we're talking about it

There is plenty of good passing and team play in the NBA - certainly more than we see in many college games from both teams.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

There is plenty of good passing and team play in the NBA

Not only that, but your average NBA team is much, much better at passing the ball today than they were 30 or 40 years ago. That's why so many teams can get open threes all the time, even though the defense knows that's what they are trying to do and really wants to stop them from doing it.

 

[PittPharm2002]

Not only that, but your average NBA team is much, much better at passing the ball today than they were 30 or 40 years ago. That's why so many teams can get open threes all the time, even though the defense knows that's what they are trying to do and really wants to stop them from doing it.

The quality of play top to bottom is so much better now than decades ago

 

[BargeDog]

Not only that, but your average NBA team is much, much better at passing the ball today than they were 30 or 40 years ago. That's why so many teams can get open threes all the time, even though the defense knows that's what they are trying to do and really wants to stop them from doing it.

30-40 years ago there were no 3-pt shots

spreading 5 player around the 3 pt line and finding one of them open is not what i meant by good passing

the 1970 Knicks w/ Walt Frazier, Bill Bradley, Willis Reeds, Dave Debuscherre and Phil Jackson moved the ball, passed well and were beautiful to watch.

Rick Barry, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson were great passers. The Joker and Lemelo are exceptions to today's rule.

But drive and kick to the perimeter (the opposite of what was taught back then) or let Lebron, Luka, or [fill-in the name] take the ball every time and do something, or spread 'em out on the 3pt line and find someone... Not interesting. As Keith Dambrot recently said, b-ball has become an outside game. Maybe so. But i think it's the worse for it.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Not interesting

It's certainly your right to find in not interesting. That's a style question and everyone likes something different.

On the other hand, the notion that passing was better back in the 70s might be an opinion that you are entitled to, but it's a silly one because it is so obviously wrong,

However, your idea that there were no three pointers 30 - 40 years ago is simply wrong. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson didn't play one NBA game without the three point line.

 

[BargeDog]

On the other hand, the notion that passing was better back in the 70s might be an opinion that you are entitled to, but it's a silly one because it is so obviously wrong,

However, your idea that there were no three pointers 30 - 40 years ago is simply wrong. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson didn't play one NBA game without the three point line.

Let's take these in reverse order.
The 3 pt line was added to the NBA in 1979.
However, the NBA did not become a 3-pt driven game until fairly recently

It is my opinion that passing was better and more valued way back when.
However, your assertion that "it's a silly one because it so obviously wrong" is neither proof nor an argument.
It's simply your opinion.
I wouldn't call it "silly."
Just uninformed.

 

[Wanstash21]

30-40 years ago there were no 3-pt shots

spreading 5 player around the 3 pt line and finding one of them open is not what i meant by good passing

the 1970 Knicks w/ Walt Frazier, Bill Bradley, Willis Reeds, Dave Debuscherre and Phil Jackson moved the ball, passed well and were beautiful to watch.

Rick Barry, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson were great passers. The Joker and Lemelo are exceptions to today's rule.

But drive and kick to the perimeter (the opposite of what was taught back then) or let Lebron, Luka, or [fill-in the name] take the ball every time and do something, or spread 'em out on the 3pt line and find someone... Not interesting. As Keith Dambrot recently said, b-ball has become an outside game. Maybe so. But i think it's the worse for it.

Lebron is the greatest passer ever.

 

[Pitt79]

However, the NBA did not become a 3-pt driven game until fairly recently

I think this is what's made the NBA dull, Maybe the NBA should remove the 3 point line?

 

[lilspainishflea]

I guess it's a matter of personal preference. Me, I love watching the modern NBA. Big men especially are incredibly well rounded. A guy like Embiid can shoot the 3, dribble drive, spin at the elbow, and dunk, and is an elite defender. Guys like him an KD that can do everything at 7' are true unicorns. Not to take away from Wilt and Hakeem, but there was nothing like Embiid or KD in the 1970s, nothing. And some of the back of the roster guys would be all stars 20 years ago. Dudes like Andre Drummond who are backups would be top 5 at their position in 2004.

 

[lilspainishflea]

I think this is what's made the NBA dull, Maybe the NBA should remove the 3 point line?

Playoff and NBA final viewership is way up since the 3 point/analytics era has really taken off. I think you'd get thrown out the window if you suggested removing the 3 point line in any level of competition from AA high school ball on up. People love the long ball.

 

[Pitt79]

Playoff and NBA final viewership is way up since the 3 point/analytics era has really taken off. I think you'd get thrown out the window if you suggested removing the 3 point line in any level of competition from AA high school ball on up. People love the long ball.

That's cool, I find it boring when that's all that goes on, trading 3s and 3 attempts. My viewership went to zero during the 3 point/analytics Era, I liked the 80s-90s game. I really enjoy something like pushing the ball to John Hugley and having him muscle it in, the brutal in the paint battles from the 70s-90s, more than 3 point tries.

 

[LeftCoastPanther]

Heard the new book on the Pat Riley Knicks teams, 'Blood in the Garden,' is pretty good.

Pat Riley was downright maniacal.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Let's take these in reverse order.
The 3 pt line was added to the NBA in 1979.

So in other words, there were three pointers both 30 and 40 years ago.

Not surprising that someone who thinks that the NBA of the 70s featured great passing completely missed out on that.

 

[BargeDog]

So in other words, there were three pointers both 30 and 40 years ago.

Not surprising that someone who thinks that the NBA of the 70s featured great passing completely missed out on that.

You're not listening
Pearls before swine

 

[Slick Manager of Champs]

Lebron is the greatest passer ever.

Say "I never saw Magic Johnson play" without saying I never saw Magic Johnson play

 

[Slick Manager of Champs]

The main reason I don't watch it is also because the players are too good. Its like watching a video game. College players are way less skilled but that makes the game more interesting to me.

This is how I feel about the NFL and the reason I think College football is better. I mean NFL kickers never miss. So many coaches play for FG's because it is an automatic 3 points. It seems like lots of 22-16 type games for this reason.

 

[Pitt79]

This is how I feel about the NFL and the reason I think College football is better. I mean NFL kickers never miss. So many coaches play for FG's because it is an automatic 3 points. It seems like lots of 22-16 type games for this reason.

I can agree with this too, plus a lot of good college QBs with different styles or different college offensive styles that are fun and entertaining that work in college don't work in the NFL because everyone is too fast and strong.

 

[PittPharm2002]

Say "I never saw Magic Johnson play" without saying I never saw Magic Johnson play

This is fair
I will say lebron is the closest to magic for a forward who can likewise play and defend all 5 positions

 

[Seneca_Valley]

Lebron is the greatest passer ever.

Pete Maravich from the grave just said, "not so fast". BTW, who is Lebron. 🙂