By Craig P. Dixon, southcoast247.com correspondent Social Commentary 99
February 20, 2007
Watch the NBA All-Star Game this weekend?
Neither did I. How different from when I was a kid. I’d have friends over, and we’d sit glued to the TV for all the All-Star game festivities. Then we’d go outside in 30-degree weather to my driveway court, attempting to emulate our heroes.
I loved basketball. It was the game of men. I looked up to the giants like Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan. Their names synonymous with the game, these men are basketball. And more than anything, I wanted to be like them.
The matchups were unbelievable. The Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy staffed Los Angeles Lakers were the greatest rivals of our home squad, the Boston Celtics. Who can forget the epic NBA Finals between these teams? Larry was pure legend. He and Magic seemed to pull points out of thin air to bring their teams back from the brink.
But, without Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Dennis Johnson, Danny Ainge, M.L. Carr and all the other Celtic greats, would we have brought home those championships?
I think not.
Beyond the greats, basketball was a team sport. When I think great teams, I think of the Bill Laimbeer, Dennis Rodman, Isaiah Thomas, and Joe Dumars led 1989 and 1990 Championship team Detroit Pistons. As much as I hated them (and I hated Laimbeer with a passion), they were a great team. Tough on both sides of the court.
Ohh, those were the golden years of basketball. Hustle, teamwork, fundamentals, play-driven offense and big defense were the highlights of every game. Who can forget the seamless Celtics pick and roll? That simple play alone brought them to championship after championship.
Then, Michael Jordan came along and changed everything. He was fucking phenomenal. The shit that guy could pull midair seemed to defy gravity. Suddenly, the game wasn’t so much about tough defense, but about how many points you could put up in a game. Offense took over. The game became one-sided. Crazy dunks and acrobatic shots had taken the place of quality fundamentals and teamwork. But, though the game had changed, how many championships would the Bulls have won without Scottie Pippen and John Paxson?
Ahh, the game has changed. The last bright spot in the league was the 2004 Detroit Pistons. They proved that great D, hustle, and teamwork could still win the big game. And keep the fans entertained.
Nowadays, the NBA is a fucking sham. Kids are playing the goddamned game. It’s a sport of individuals: Not team play. There’s no defensive play to speak of. Offense rules the day.
Sure, the moves may be high-flying. And LeBron James amazes me. But this individual-driven game has lost its luster.
And it’s lost me.
Watch the NBA All-Star Game this weekend?
