<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7601414#post7601414 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Texsun
Gisho, I am no Shaq lover, but please, your rant comes off as nothing more than another moldy fig waxing nostalgic (and not even that nostalgic, Kareem of the 80's was nothing compared to what he was in his prime). It was teams like your beloved Olajuwon's Rockets that "ruined" NBA basketball with their emphasis on isolation plays and four guys on the perimeter waiting for Hakeem to pass out of the double and triple-team and jack up 3pters. The Rockets and Riley's thugs set basketball back about a decade. And before that you can trace it back to Jordan and Dr. J before him for making it a sport more about individuals than it is teams.
It is what it is and for all the marketing and hype there is still some quality basketbal being played in the NBA as evidenced by this year's playoffs. Dallas, Detroit, San Antonio, Phoenix, and the Clippers all had succeful runs while playing team backetball. Sure, their players may not sell as many jerseys or shoes, but in this day of hyper-marketing, I dare you to find any sport that remains "pure." Star power sells and that's just the world we live in today.
First, I don't know you. You don't know me. So stop with the name calling. "Moldy fig"???? :lol: uh, ok guy.
Last time I checked, name calling is against the user agreement/rules of this site and reportable to a mod.
"Nostalgia" is not.:lol:
I was being nostalgic and ranting. Self-admittedly, purposely and unabashedly, hence the "*rant on* and *rant off* in my post.
Secondly, your example and description of Hakeem passing out of the double and triple team to open jump shooters is good team basketball. It's called PASSING. Those are called ASSISTS. If they knock down the shot, more power to them. That's skill. I was coached and coach to pass to the open shooter. THAT is good team ball. I can appreciate that. I would much rather watch that, then Shaq running over three guys, while travelling, while smashing them in their jaws with his elbows. If you want to compare position to position, you also fail to mention that Hakeem was an excellent all around player. Good passer, dare I say good set shot, decent jump shot, good footwork to the basket, and most importantly in playoff/end of tight game situations, solid at the line.
"And before that you can trace it back to Jordan and Dr. J before him for making it a sport more about individuals than it is teams. "
Agreed. 100%.
"It is what it is and for all the marketing and hype there is still some quality basketbal being played in the NBA as evidenced by this year's playoffs. Dallas, Detroit, San Antonio, Phoenix, and the Clippers all had succeful runs while playing team backetball. Sure, their players may not sell as many jerseys or shoes, but in this day of hyper-marketing, I dare you to find any sport that remains "pure." Star power sells and that's just the world we live in today. "
Again, agreed. As I stated, I was pulling for the Spurs. Didn't mind losing to the Mavs as they are well coached and play team ball. Love Detroit too for their team approach, defense, and Rip running those beautiful screen patterns a la Reggie.
"I dare you to find any sport that remains "pure.".
Not much of a "dare". Easy answer. HOCKEY. There is no other sport that I play or watch that has the level of individual skill, speed, passing, and "team" mentality at the professional and even league/amateur level.
Now that I took you up on your "dare", what do I win?
:lol:
