O/T what happened to the NBA? Bad Marketing? [Archive]

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11-24-2008, 12:37 PM

Posted By: randi hope this brings a bit of insight, but what happened to the NBA? Is it me, or has the Association dropped out of sight? Is it a lack of proper marketing, stars, David Stern, or thuggery? The days of Bird & Magic, Jordan vs the World, its fallen so far down, i don't even pay any attention till the conference finals (depending on the teams).

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11-24-2008, 12:46 PM

Posted By: barrysloateThe league is just boring. It's hard to keep track of the players- I may be watching a game and I realize I've never heard of half these guys- and there are no compelling teams or compelling stories to hold fans' interest. The league is long past its hey dey.

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11-24-2008, 12:50 PM

Posted By: MattI'm viewing through LeBron colored glasses, but I haven't been this entertained watching early season games since the Mark Price Cavs of the 80s. In general, I think the league has become much more focused on defense and that makes for less exciting basketball. In the mid-1980s, team used to average 110 points a game; I bet the average now is in the low 90s.

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11-24-2008, 01:02 PM

Posted By: Fred CIf you ever get tired of watching that show called "LA Ink" you can always tune into an NBA game and see the cool skin art there.

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11-24-2008, 01:07 PM

Posted By: Al C.risafulliI gave up season tickets to the Nets this year, after holding them for four years. In my case I got tired of watching all the off-the-court BS, while the team sheds its big contracts in anticipation of its move to Brooklyn. Essentially they're playing out the string in Jersey, fielding a mildly competitive team that will mature and become exciting just in time for their planned exodus. Not on my dime. -Al

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11-24-2008, 01:43 PM

Posted By: Jason Lprimarily the tatts.

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11-24-2008, 01:59 PM

Posted By: Shawn ChambersFor me, the NBA (as well as professional football) has always bored me because of the endless "hotdogging". I'll watch an NBA game and the most routine shot (not even under pressure) warrants backpedaling, hi-fiving, chest thumping, ass grabbing, etc. Every 3 yard gain on the gridiron or layup on the courts becomes the end of the world. At least in baseball (with a few exceptions), the play on the field is classier. A homerun might warrant the occasional fist pump, but I'd rather see it and the handshake at third base followed by some dugout celebration than this taking place on the field. Parenthetically, Shawn

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11-24-2008, 02:03 PM

Posted By: Wil JordanWhat is going on in the NBA is a combination of things Stern and Bad Marketing certainly are two of the reasons attendance is falling. However, I think that fans are just tired the Hip Hop crap and the me me generation. It was like this before Bird, Magic, and MJ and I am affraid I don't see anyone like these guys coming into the NBA anytime soon. Thus you are going to continue to see a downward sprial of the NBA. This is why Stern is working so hard to market the NBA in China and other places overseas. The economy certainly plays a part but were you have good teams and team players you still see sell outs. Think about it would you pay top dollar to see these chest pounding, trash talking, tatooed, spoiled rich loud mouths jump up and down every 24 seconds?

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11-24-2008, 02:10 PM

Posted By: Steve FDoing quite well I must say. Cheerio. <img src="http://www.nottsba.co.uk/images/nba_logo.gif" alt="[linked image]"> Sorry bout that rand <img src="/images/happy.gif" height="14" width="14" alt="happy.gif"> Too many thugs ang punks. Although Celtic Pride has suddenly resurfaced around here (shocking, I know). This team is refreshingly "relatively" humble and happily, without a superstar persay. But I'll always miss Johnny Most calling for the Green in the '80s. <img src="http://www.basketballphoto.com/images/14082.jpg" alt="[linked image]">

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11-24-2008, 02:22 PM

Posted By: Al C.risafulliHere's another thing that bugs the HELL out of me, and I realize it's part of the nature of the beast these days, but that doesn't make it any less irritating. My season tickets cost me a few thousand dollars. For that kind of money, I expect to go see a basketball game, maybe a little entertainment during time outs and halftimes, maybe bring a client to the club for a drink at halftime. I do NOT expect to see commercials everywhere I look. I can understand stadium naming rights, and I can understand various signage around the arena. I do NOT want two LED boards running around the perimeter of the stadium bowl, showing moving ads DURING the game. I do not want a jumbotron showing commercials during every stop in play - and sometimes during play itself. I do not want to hear the team introduced as "Nets Basketball presented by Jackson Hewitt Tax Service," nor do I want to hear every single thing sponsored by somebody. At the Izod Arena (heh), the VISITING TEAM'S LOCKER ROOM has a sponsor (really). I can't have a drink at the Winner's Club, I need to have a drink at the Dewars' Whiskey Winner's Club. The Courtside Club is the Nissan Courtside Club. The non-alcoholic section is the Aeropostale Family Zone, or something like that. It seems like every square inch of space has a sponsor. If I stay home and watch the game on TV for the price of my satellite service, I can expect to see two minutes of commercials during timeouts, and a few more during halftime. If I pay a few thousand for season tickets, I'm bombarded with ads during the entire game. It's ridiculous, it's distracting, and it totally disrupts my enjoyment of the game. Part of what's great about basketball is the rhythm and the flow of the game. There's constant motion on every section of the court. Even the play-by-play has a rhythm to it. It's a beautiful thing to watch. To me, the barrage of ads totally interferes with that rhythm. And that's coming from a marketing guy. -Al

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11-24-2008, 03:41 PM

Posted By: Ryan ChristoffSounds like integration ruined the NBA for most fans on the board. Tattoos? Tattoos are why you don't like the NBA? Come on! I think you mean tattoos combined with corn rows, don't you? Pretty sure some of the people saying tattoos and thugs are ruining the NBA are the same ones who sang the praises of Josh Hamilton's Home Run Derby performance and wore fake Jason Giambi moustaches at Yankee Stadium. Or won't you watch those guys because they have tattoos? The NBA is alive and well here in Colorado, in spite of the tattoos. GO NUGGETS! -Ryan

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11-24-2008, 03:43 PM

Posted By: barrysloateJohnny Most was a legend, and he delivered perhaps the NBA's most quotable line: Havlicek stole the ball!

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11-24-2008, 03:50 PM

Posted By: Ryan ChristoffAnother classic, 20+ years later: "Steal by Bird. Underneath to DJ..." -Ryan

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11-24-2008, 03:57 PM

Posted By: barrysloateRyan- wasn't that Isaiah Thomas's bad pass?

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11-24-2008, 04:04 PM

Posted By: Jason Lbecause of the tatts. true story. don't care for Hamilton or Giambi either

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11-24-2008, 04:08 PM

Posted By: Ryan ChristoffBarry, That's the one. One of the best plays in sports history, in my opinion. That game was over. Everyone knew it except Bird. But the steal wasn't enough. Dennis Johnson still had to break to the hoop and hit a difficult contested layup. Best part was that it happened to Isiah. One of the worst people in the sports world. Nice pass, Zeke! -Ryan

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11-24-2008, 04:18 PM

Posted By: randi think the downslide (my opinion) was after Jordan, Shaq & Kobe were to take the torch. Shaq was always hurt (allegedly) at the start of the season and never did sh#! till the playoffs, just no sense of urgency. so much money is going to some of these guys with Guaranteed Contracts (nice job nbapa) they have no real need to kill themselves. no real rivalries exist at this time either. by the way, they dont drug test for pot either.

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11-24-2008, 04:20 PM

Posted By: James FeaginLove college basketball, hate the NBA. I think it might have something to do with the playoffs that last approximately 4-1/2 years.

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11-24-2008, 04:20 PM

Posted By: Ryan ChristoffJason, Now you've got me curious about your strong stance against tattoos. Why are you so against them? You can e-mail me privately if you would prefer not to post your reasons on the board, but I am honestly curious. -Ryan

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11-24-2008, 04:38 PM

Posted By: Ryan ChristoffRand, That's not true, the NBA does test for marijuana. Why we should care if any professional athlete smokes weed is beyond me, but the NBA does test for it. The lack of rivalries you mentioned is probably one of the bigger causes of any slump the NBA is currently experiencing. Then again, NBA fans got spoiled in the 1980s. There will never be another Bird/Magic or Lakers/Celtics rivalry. Some combination of the current Celtics, Cavs, or Pistons could be decent. A Knicks/Celtics rivalry with Lebron on the Knicks starting in 2010 would be compelling, as well. James, You're right about the NBA playoffs. Same with the NHL. Not sure how they could or should be shortened, though. I agree that they're too long. Regular season college basketball is way more boring to me, but March Madness is the greatest thing that any sports fan could ever dream up. God's gift to sports fans! Nothing compares. -Ryan

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11-24-2008, 04:42 PM

Posted By: nbrazilarguments like the nba has too many thugs, is hip hop culture oriented, players wear too many tattoos, and the like are pretty superficial reasons why the nba has gone down the tube. football is highly popular in the states...and the nfl have plenty of thugs, criminals and tattooed freaks. ray caruth, pacman jones, travis henry, the entire Cincinnati bengals roster... i think the nba has gone down in popularity due to several reasons. game play has changed quite dramatically since the early 90's...changed in negative ways. it's more half court, defense oriented...and one on one offense oriented...game styles that are hard to watch. another thing is bad marketing and the lack of superstar players to center the game on. after jordan retired, there was (and still is) a large void to fill. No one was going to be the next jordan...but, there had to be someone who was close to him in terms of popularity and appeal. Kobe should have been the guy...but his rape trial and the shaq factor derailed any notion of him being a wildly popular player amongst most fans. Shaq could have been the guy...but, even with the movies, commercials, the recording albums and 4 world championship rings, he never quite reached the level of connection with fans bird, magic and jordan had. and tim duncan had the stats, nice guy appeal and the championships...but, not the charisma. Lastly, and probably most importantly, the racial mixture of the league has also made fans feel more alienated to the game. In the states, the consumer base is primarily white. The NBA is predominantly black. Even some of the more successful and prominent non black guys in the league are of other countries (steve nash and canada, dirk and germany, ginobili and argentina). People like what they are familiar with. They are more accustomed to viewing things that look like them. ask a white guy who his favorite players are...and he'll likely name mainly white guys. ask a black guy who his favorite players are...and he'll likely name mainly black guys. and so on with latinos, asian, etc. Since bird, there has been no american born white player that has been anything close to being labeled a superstar. And basketball, race is even more so visceral than in baseball, hockey and football. First, there are only 10 guys on the court. Second, all the guys are wearing jerseys and shorts. You can see their faces...most of their bodies, compared to players in the other sports, can be viewed. Baseball has long pants, hats, gloves, batting helmets...football has long pants, pads, helmets.

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11-24-2008, 04:50 PM

Posted By: Jeff LichtmanI don't think the reason for the NBA's downturn is due to the huge white fan base/predominant black rosters. I think the main reason is simply the lack of team basketball; the game has primarily become a game of 1 on 1. There is seemingly no strategy involved anymore -- just one guy gets the ball on offense, the rest of the team clears out and a 1 on 1 battle occurs. It's just a boring game these days.

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11-24-2008, 04:51 PM

Posted By: bigfishThe game has changed. Larry Bird is not walking through the door. If he did, I would watch the NBA. He is the best all around player to play the game. LarryLegend

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11-24-2008, 05:03 PM

Posted By: Steve DawsonTo me anyway, it's the "thuggery", and also just the comparative lack of skills among the players. Back in the NBA's "heyday", Magic, MJ, Bird, Dr J, etc., could actually make a jump shot; heck, Magic could even shoot the hook! Now, it's just one long dunking contest, and no one can consistently shoot the jumper. Too many players are just trying to outdo each other, in an attempt to get on Sportscenter's Top 10 Highlights. Shooting percentages are in the toilet; I mean, what happened to teams scoring 100 points in a game? Two other aspects for me are the constant fouls, and timeouts in the final two minutes of every game. Why do the final two minutes of every game have to always take 10-15 minutes (at the minimum)? Steve

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11-24-2008, 05:17 PM

Posted By: David GoffI can't stand the NBA. I do however, love college basketball. Louisville, KY has tried a few times to get an NBA franchise and has come very close twice, with both times being denied due to no basketball arena. Now, the city is building a downtown arena in hopes to land a NBA team. I hope that day never comes...

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11-24-2008, 05:17 PM

Posted By: Marty OgelvieI don't know what happened, I just don't know but something happened. I was as avid a fan as there was back in the 70s through the 90s. MY team was the Sixers. Dr J was my favorite player. I suffered through the '77 collapse and 2 series defeats to the Lakers in the early 80s and then Moses came to town. He took the Sixers to the promise land in the most dominating post season I Have ever seen. I watched as much NBA as I could and when I wasn't watching I was in the back yard shooting hoops and practicing my behind the back board Dr J. Layout. Because of my love for the Sixers, I couldnt' stand Larry Bird or Magic Johnson when they were playing but I sure do miss them now! I continued to follow the NBA after the Doctor retired and became a Huge Jordan fan. I watched Jordan/Pippen dominate the game for close to a decade. I used to keep a box score of the Bulls each game that was televised and then Jordan retired and I there was no one left for to cheer for. I don't know what happened but once Jordan left (2nd time) there was no player left that demanded I pay attention that demanded I folllow them. I have tried to follow a team and was hoping that LeBron could bring me back but it hasn't happened yet. I watch about a half a quarter and then turn the channel. I have to tell you have not watched an entire NBA game in 10 to 15 years.. So I don't know what happended, but something did. Basketball is the greatest sport to play. YOu can go in your backyard and play an entire game all by yourself or you can play one on one. It's a GREAT GAME but the NBA as a league is missing something and I Don't what it is specifically but if I had to guess, I think its missing a player that demand I pay attention to them the way the Doctor and Jordan did.. I don't know, I wish I did know.marty

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11-24-2008, 05:35 PM

Posted By: Fred CWow Marty, that was well said...

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11-24-2008, 05:46 PM

Posted By: john/z28jdI cant imagine color having to do anything with it for someone who has started watching basketball in the last 20+ years. As long as I've watched there were always noticeably more black players but I think its more how the players act now as opposed to back then. When I started watching I never said Larry Bird has to be my favorite because were both white,I picked my favorite player based on who I liked watching the most which was Dominique Wilkins at first,Mitch Richmond and David Robinson for a time, then I started liking guys who played for my favorite college teams,Syracuse and Louisville,when I started watching more college ball. I've lost interest in basketball recently but it mostly has to do with the lack of talent the players have and that may have more to do with sportscenter and everyone getting on for dunking and behind the back passes instead of actually playing the game to win and making a free throw when it counts,you play basketball for a living,how hard is it to practice free throws if you cant make them! There are too many players now out to just be famous and make sportscenters top plays. Steve also hit the nail on the head with one of the most annoying things,the end of the game just drags on forever if the score is close. I actually like blowouts better because the game ends without fouls every 2 seconds and timeouts every time the team behind gets the ball or the team ahead cant get the ball inbounds.

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11-24-2008, 05:56 PM

Posted By: barrysloateWhen I was a teenager my favorite player was Connie Hawkins...but watching Dr. J. in the ABA was one of the really great treats. I would often go to the Nassau Coliseum and see him play in person...even saw him play once when he was with the Virginia Squires.

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11-24-2008, 06:04 PM

Posted By: jdrumBarry, I'm with you. I grew up in St. Louis watching The Spirits with Marvin Barnes, Maurice Lucas and Moses Malone. Seems like the only time they would draw over 2000 fans was when The Nets would bring Dr. J to town or the Nuggets would come in with David Thompson and Dan Issel. If I remember correctly and I may be wrong, I believe The Spirits once knocked The Nets out of the ABA playoffs when they had yet to ever beat them in a regular season game. It's been thirty years so that might be a little off. BTW the radio voice of The Spirits of St. Louis was Bob Costas. Great memories but yet I haven't watched an entire NBA game since the late 80's and have lived in Atlanta for 15 years and never been to a Hawks game. Edit: spellin', twice

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11-24-2008, 06:13 PM

Posted By: Marty OgelvieBarry,I am super jealous. I saw Dr J play for the NETs in the ABA and when he moved to the NBA/Sixers, that's when I became a Sixer fan. I also loved Bobby Jones, Mo Cheeks and Chocolate Thunder aka Daryl Dawkins, Caldwell Jones, Andrew Toney and of course the player who changed the course of Sixer history, Moses Malone!I still remember an SI cover from the early 80s of Dr J Jamming the Jinx in Boston.. I think I had that cover taped to my wall. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height="14" width="14" alt="happy.gif">Marty

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11-24-2008, 06:17 PM

Posted By: leonThey should just start out playing the last 10 minutes of the game. Does the first 50 really matter anyway? I loved watching Jordon play...since he left I really haven't watched much. As for the thinking about they are just a bunch of over paid big babies....well, that is my take on most pro sports now...Give me amateur and minor leagues and I will show you guys trying their hardest and having fun.....and not getting 50m to do it (though money isn't my biggest beef with pro sports...it's the whiney ass babies...)

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11-24-2008, 06:35 PM

Posted By: barrysloateI once went to Hempstead High School to watch the Nets play the San Antonio Spurs (I think) in a pre-season game in a high school gym. Dr. J scored close to 50 points and Larry Kenon close to 30...it was fantastic, and I think I was the only white person in the whole gym. Jeff- I remember the Spirits of St. Louis well- Bob Costas was their play-by-play-man. But I don't remember the time they knocked the Nets out of the play-offs. The only championship game I ever saw in person was the game the Indiana Pacers clinched the 1972 ABA Championship in the Coliseum. It was pre-Dr. J. and the Nets star was Rick Barry. George McGinnis and Roger Brown were Indiana's star players. Oops- you mentioned Costas, I missed it.

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11-24-2008, 06:39 PM

Posted By: jdrumBarry, In '74-'75 they knocked the Nets out in round one but it was 4 games to 1. They had never beaten them in the regular season losing six straight.

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11-24-2008, 06:41 PM

Posted By: S GrossI agree with the statement that NBA has just become a one-on-one slam dunk contest. It started out as a extra "spark" here and there, then it became routine, and now boring as hell. Growing up watching Princeton Basketball, I am a true lover of the team aspect of the game. People say PU basketball is boring. I say just the opposite. Watching with anticipation the next cut, the perfect pass, followed by a more perfect assist: That keeps me on the edge of my seat. Now a player starts at the foul line, and taking 2, 3, 4 steps (used to be called "traveling") and slams down a dunk, big deal. (((Also find 5 plus home run games unimpressive. Give me a walk, stolen base, sac bunt and sac fly, and I'm entertained !!!!)))<img src="/images/happy.gif" height="14" width="14" alt="happy.gif"> As far as the money, and advertising go, I can only quote a great man: "The owners made money. The players made money. The only people that got hurt were the public, the fans, the integrity of baseball, and eventually the planet earth" -- Bill Lee

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11-24-2008, 06:43 PM

Posted By: James FeaginOne of our local journalists stated that one could go into a locker room after an NBA game and not be able to tell whether a given team won or lost. I live near Washington DC and the NBA is the topic of sports radio for maybe 5-10 minutes....per year. The regular season is meaningless, the playoffs are like chinese water torture and the finals a welcome relief....because the two week break between the end of the season and the beginning of next year is about to begin. As for the white populace/black player assertion. I have never seen such rabid NBA fans as bleach-white Utah. Those I've met from my church who've moved from Utah to the East Coast are a bit surprised that they seem to be the only ones who care about the Association. "You mean you don't have NBA draft parties here?" That is a direct quote. James

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11-24-2008, 06:59 PM

Posted By: CNI used to get a 10 game package for the Knicks from 1991 until 2003. I went to 1 game last year and I was with my kids. Right outside of MSG I felt intimidated and I have been a Law Enforcement Officer for 24 years. I go to about 10-15 Rangers Hockey games and the element is totally different. The NBA better clean up its act soon. I will not go to Knicks Games anymore. It is not a racial thing just the element that hangs around MSG during Knick games. CN

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11-24-2008, 08:07 PM

Posted By: randits ludacris the guaranteed money, to many years, to much money, no incentive.

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11-25-2008, 01:07 AM

Posted By: davidcyclebackDuly note that the NBA was lower in popularity before Magic and Bird. The 1981 championship finals weren't televised live! CBS showed the games tape delay.

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11-25-2008, 02:41 AM

Posted By: pcelli60Several things to mention here.. When the NBA began to allow kids to come in after only one or two years of college ball and select payers right out of high school- the league got too young too quickly!! A lot of immature kids with lots of money and no motivation...

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11-25-2008, 04:07 AM

Posted By: JimCrandellJeff, I would pay to see the News(as long as he did not have a tire iron in his hand) and Moses "fo fo fo" Malone but I believe the St. Louis Spirits had one of my favorits players of all time--Fly Williams-- who was admitted to Austin Peay University in Tennessee and showed up in the airport of Austin, Texas asking "where the Pea at". My favorite players never saw a shot they didn't like and could pick quarters off the top of the backboard and leave change. Just not enough color in the game--I miss Darnell Hillman and the Doctors of Dunk, Warren Armstrong, Joe Caldwell, Ollie Taylor. Too much defense and low scoring. I also miss the Afros--check out James T. Silas's 1976 topps card--beats Oscar Gamble's afro any day. Jim

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11-25-2008, 04:19 AM

Posted By: Marty OgelvieJeff,I remember Fly Williams at Austin Peay (I grew up in Nashville). He had a teammate at Austin Peay named Percy Howard. Percy never played pro basketball but he did play in the NFL even though he didn't play football, only basketball, at Austin Peay. Percy Howard caught only 1 pass in the NFL, it just so happened to be a Touchdown pass in Super Bowl X no less. marty

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11-25-2008, 04:22 AM

Posted By: barrysloateDarnell Hillman was a really good player and extremely entertaining. The league today lacks a lot of those personalities. Basketball had a golden age when the game was really fun to watch, but today it just isn't. I don't have the attention span to even sit through a whole game. I was a huge fan of the ABA, and despite the fact that you got called for a technical for playing defense (or so it seemed) it always had great entertainment value.

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11-25-2008, 04:50 AM

Posted By: Jim VBJim C and Marty, I actually saw Fly play, IN HIGH SCHOOL! Although he was from Brooklyn, he went to prep school for at least one year at Glen Springs Academy. This school was just north of Watkins Glen, NY, about 20 miles from where I went to school. At the time, GSA was a school with about 18 students enrolled, all boys. All played basketball, either varsity or JV. My high school was the dominant team locally and we scrimmaged GSA before the season started. It was obvious then that he could score whenever he wanted, from where ever he was on the court, while controlling the pace of the game. When he went to college, I believe the popular cheer at Austin Peay was: "The Fly is open! Let's go Peay!"

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11-25-2008, 05:02 AM

Posted By: barrysloateDidn't Fly have some kind of legal problem that sidetracked his career?

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11-25-2008, 05:26 AM

Posted By: Jim VBI think he was shot in a robbery once. Is that classified as a "legal problem"?

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11-25-2008, 05:40 AM

Posted By: Marty OgelvieI think FLY was the victim in the robbery... not the perp.When the ABA/NBA merged, the Spirits were not included so that meant FLY had to find a job with another NBA team and he got no offers, I guess.. I do know he played in Europe for a while. Here is a link to the Robbery/shooting incident but I still can't make out if FLY was the PERP or the VIC.. sounds like the PERP from this article.. I hate the way some reporters write.. or maybe I am just dummer 'n a box of hammers.<a href="http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE5DE173EF932A15751C0A9619482 60" rel="nofollow"><a href="http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE5DE173EF932A15751C0A9619482 60" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE5DE173EF932A15751C0A9619482 60</a></a>>

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11-25-2008, 05:44 AM

Posted By: Tom Boblittthat's merely a 3 game suspension............. My dad worked at the Fairgrounds as a second job in the 1970's here in Louisville and I went to MANY MANY Kentucky Colonels ABA games during the timeframe. That was cool. Don't remember many of the specifics because I'm not nearly as old as HRBaker (had to get a quick dig in) but I do remember them and when they were folded by the evil KFC Chicken empire and John Y Brown. Like David Goff, I'm for pro basketball staying out of Louisville. We were close on the Hornets and one other team (supposedly) and hopefully even after a new arena, we'll be able to avoid a team. I watch the finals ocassionally and watched the Bulls a lot during the Jordan hey days but very little now. I check box scores occasionally to see the ONE player that Louisville has in the pros......Francisco Garcia of the Kings. Bout it. I like the quote about the fans being the ones who lose.....with high ticket prices, high parking, high food costs, etc, it's no longer the run of the mill fan's game.......

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11-25-2008, 05:44 AM

Posted By: Kenneth A. CohenI started watching the NBA Game of the Week in the late 50s / early 60s (idolized Cousy) but pretty much lost interest in the 90s. I suppose I'll be a minority of one on this, but I feel that the 3-point shot is an overall detriment to the game. Here's why. - It's killed any emphasis on the mid-range jumper and players' ability of shoot it with any consistency. - It cheapens good post play and doesn't reward good court positioning - like the game was designed to be. - Most importantly, it cheapens the first 46 minutes (38 in college) of the game. A well-earned advantage is often lost by the ridiculous aspect of the game whereby the trailing team can foul and trade 3 points for 2. It's even worse in college where the 3-point line is close enough for the average grandmother to make. All this makes all but the end of the game seem meaningless and boring - and the last two minutes interminable - especially in college where time outs can be called after a made basket. One other thing - the influx of high schoolers and players without full college training has spawned a league of great athletes who are crappy basketball players. Add it all up - unwatchable.

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11-25-2008, 05:46 AM

Posted By: Tom Boblittlike your 'college training' quote. Think some of the training they miss is also more life training. That ultimately causes a lot of the off court problems of the game.........

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11-25-2008, 05:52 AM

Posted By: Kenneth A. CohenAbsolutely

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11-25-2008, 05:53 AM

Posted By: jdrumYes I forgot to mention "Fly" Williams. Those Spirits were quite a bunch. Along with the aforementioned "Movin" Marvin "Bad News" Barnes, Maurice Lucas, Moses Malone, "Fly" WIlliams, we had "Goo" Kennedy, ML Carr, Freddie Lewis and Gus Gerard out of Virginia. When you went to a Spirits game you could buy a $2 ticket and be sitting at courtside by the 2nd quarter. It was great fun but never caught on in St. Louis. I loved the ABA. And Tom, it was always a treat to see Artis and the boys roll in from Louisville. Artis had an afro for the ages too!

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11-25-2008, 06:12 AM

Posted By: barrysloateTom- the Kentucky Colonels were pretty much the gold standard of the ABA, with Artis Gilmore and Dan Issel. I was surprised that when the leagues merged the franchise disbanded. Remember the season the Kentucky Colonels went 68-14, but the John Roche led Nets knocked them out of the playoffs quickly in the first round? That was big news in New York

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11-25-2008, 08:06 AM

Posted By: David GoffHey Tom The other team we were close to get was the Vancouver Grizzlies. We lost out to Memphis only because they had plan in place for a new arena and we didnt. If we had our plan for a new arena then, we would have landed them. Still don't know why we are building that darn thing. Nothing wrong with Freedom Hall.

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11-25-2008, 08:43 AM

Posted By: LenK59 love the NBA.....great to be a Lakers fan the last 2 seasons........now we need to knock out the Celtics!

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11-25-2008, 09:06 AM

Posted By: JimCrandellFor those of you that are ABA fans or even just basketball fans, the best basketball book I have ever read was "Loose Balls"--which is a year by year anecdotal history of the ABA--it is hilarious. Perhaps the most entertaining book about sports I have ever read. One other story I remember was about NBA veteran Len Chappell wanting to send a message to Warren Armstrong Jabali who reportedly was a bad guy. As both teams were set up for the opening tap he slugged Jabali and knocked him unconscious. I believe Chappel was viewed as a hero for this and all he received was a technical foul. Another one was Marvin Barnes walking into the Spirits locker room 5 minutes before they were to take the floor in an important game dressed up with lots of gold and chains with a couple of Big Macs which he quickly downed while telling his teammates--don't worry boys--the News is here. News as I remember had a huge game.

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11-25-2008, 09:21 AM

Posted By: jdrum"News" or "Bad News" Barnes depending on who you ask was a great treat to watch. I believe he avg'd almost 25 ppg and over 10 reb a game as a rookie. Now it was the ABA but I have euphoric recall about watching him as a young teen. Really a tragic story of drugs, hard time and squandered talent.

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11-25-2008, 10:16 AM

Posted By: barrysloateI heard a story about Barnes- and I'm not sure it's true- that he showed up for a game a few minutes before tip-off, only had time to change into his uniform under the grandstand, then stepped on the court and scored over 50 points. Does anyone else remember that?

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11-25-2008, 10:43 AM

Posted By: Jason Lhasn't been mentioned here, and that is simply that they don't play baseball! Ryan, to answer your question, to the extent that it's relevant or your interest is genuine, I don't really have a great answer regarding tattoos, other than the fact that I have a very prejudiced degree of disrespect for people who choose to disfigure/disrespect their body like that. Less is better, more is terrible. Plus, from every account I've heard, it hurts, so I don't understand it from that perspective, either. I just don't understand the decision making that goes into it, and so I can't fully relate to those people who have them, particularly in large amounts. I do strongly believe that I am racially unbiased towards it, though. So I don't think your previous comment about the integration applies to me or my thinking on the NBA or tattoos. But that's basically it. I understand I am unusual, and it is probably not fully based in rational thought. I did not mean to offend you or others. It's just a blanket statement about my own personal problem with relating to the league, given the proliferation of tattoos displayed on many of the players. Perhaps easier to see than on athletes of other leagues, as they wear more clothing.

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11-25-2008, 10:47 AM

Posted By: JimCrandellBarry, That story I believe is in "Loose Balls" as well. You ought to read the book--as an ABA fan you would love it. Barry--we can't agree about politics but we can agree on card grading and the ABA <img src="/images/happy.gif" height="14" width="14" alt="happy.gif">

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11-25-2008, 10:56 AM

Posted By: Jim VBJim C. is correct. "Loose Balls" is a great book. Very funny. Barry, If you have trouble finding a copy, let me know and I'll loan you mine.

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11-25-2008, 12:57 PM

Posted By: Ricky YWell I've been a long time basketball junkie and NBA fan...specifically suffering fan of the Warriors. Still go to as many games as I can and watch most if not all games when I don't. I don't really see that the game is any worse..its just changed...an evolution and it all has to be seen from the prespective of who the game is being marketed to..I talk to fans of all ages at the game..the older ones who grew up with West, Chamberlain etc..says its not the way it used to be...those in my group who saw Alcindor, Dr J as a kid and Magic and Bird as young adults also say its not as good as it was..but to today's young fans..its great..the greatest show out there...The top players of today, Kobe, Lebron, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Parker, Duncan are as good as anyone in the past. Ture the fundamentals of the game is not emphasized today, the art of the bounce pass, bank shots..and even pure jumpshots are seldom seen, but the athletes are taller, bigger, faster and can jump better too..why late it in or jump shoot.. if you can just go over someone and just dunk it? As for the baggy pants, tatoos..etc..again the evolution of our culture (or perhaps deevoulution to some...)..remember when our parents used to be chagrined when we were kids by the way we acted and dressed..<img src="/images/happy.gif" height="14" width="14" alt="happy.gif"> Ricky

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11-25-2008, 01:26 PM

Posted By: barrysloateThanks Jim VB- I'll let you know. Jim C.- I was a huge ABA fan. The year the Nets went to the finals but lost to Indiana, in 1971-72, I attended eight of the nine playoff games the Nets had at the Coliseum. To show you how times have changed, we would show up a half hour before the game with our student cards and get a good seat for maybe $6. And we're talking the Championship round too. There were always seats still available. That was when I got to see Julius Erving and George Gervin play for the Virginia Squires- I believe it was the second round.

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11-25-2008, 01:28 PM

Posted By: Jeff LichtmanI know it will never happen because the Players Association would howl, but I suspect if the 24 second clock were extended to 35 seconds you might find that more teamwork would evolve.

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11-25-2008, 01:32 PM

Posted By: barrysloateBut the scores would drop to 75-70. Fans would yawn through that.

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11-25-2008, 01:46 PM

Posted By: Jeff LichtmanI suppose..but can't we all agree that the college game, where the 35 second clock exists, is infinitely more interesting than the pro game? And many college teams -- usually the most athletic -- average in the 80s or low 90s.

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11-25-2008, 02:36 PM

Posted By: barrysloateThe college game is a lot of fun to watch, but all of the great college players leave early for the NBA. It's diluted the talent level a bit.

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11-25-2008, 03:09 PM

Posted By: bobwAs an ABA collector and fan, here is the definitive web site on the ABA: <a href="http://www.remembertheaba.com" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://www.remembertheaba.com</a>/ Also here in 6 parts is the HBO documentary from a few years ago on the ABA. Lots of rare color footage. Long live Kentucky Colonels, New York Nets and the Miami Floridians ball girls. Part 1 <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJMtemANXw0" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJMtemANXw0</a> Part 2 <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8f5mcGrIgI" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8f5mcGrIgI</a> Part3 <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CS23zC_Z9eE" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CS23zC_Z9eE</a> Part4 <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2buDIvVldkg" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2buDIvVldkg</a> Part5 <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfGXq1axXJ0" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfGXq1axXJ0</a> Part6 <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyApumHn3mY" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyApumHn3mY</a>

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11-25-2008, 04:30 PM

Posted By: WalterLike many of you I have been watching the NBA for over 30 years I am one of the biggest basketball fans there is. I love watching the NBA and marvel at the skills and athleticism of the players. There are jaw-dropping plays in almost every game. I don't think I need to convince anybody that today's players are more athletically gifted than players from the past. That being said, something has changed--us. We've all gotten older and the players have stayed the same age. I remember when Charles Barkley and his draft class came into the League and people said they didn't respect the history of the game, they didn't play the game like players of the past, and they are only playing for money. Now, almost 25 years later, they are finished their playing days and we're saying the kids these days don't play like Charles and Clyde Drexler and others. They played for the love of the game. Today's players are only playing for money. And we'll say the same things 25 years from now about Derrick Rose, Chris Paul and LeBron James. Every older generation says the same things about the younger generation. Every older generation thinks theirs is the best and today's players in any sport can't compare. Look at the comments here. Everyone remembers the Doc or Larry and Magic or the ABA, or Cousy and Russell. And I watched all of those players over the years and quite honestly today's players are better. I have a library of some games from the 60s and 70s. Trust me-- it was not better basketball. It was slower, the players weren't as skilled and they did not shoot as well. The next time John Havlicek dribbles with his off hand will be the first time. Don't get me wrong, Havlicek and others were great players, but the players today have evolved and are far more skilled. The game itself has certainly changed over the years. The one-on-one game hasn't just started recently. For the mid to late 80s Sixers it was give the ball to Barkley and clear out. Either he'll drive and get fouled or pass out for a jumper. It was as boring as basketball could be. In 1994 the Heat and the Knicks played a finals that set basketball back 40 years. I hoped that the Phoenix Suns would win the title, so that other teams would copy their running style, but that was not to be. As soon as a run and gun team wins then everyone in the League will start to copy them. I don't think that it is bad marketing or tattoos or hip hop that has changed the game. It isn't bad marketing, the NBA is just not marketing to middle age white guys (me). We don't seem to be their audience, regardless of the demographics of game attendees. I was watching NBA-TV the other night and I had a hard time following the names of the players as the host kept referring to players by these made up names like C-Mobe or CP3. That's part of the problem--I'm getting older and not in tune with the younger generation. So we can look back with fondness at our youth and the sports heroes we watched, but let's not denigrate the new generations of players because of our wistfulness for the past. Always looking for T59 Flag cards and T113 Types of Nations. <a href="http://www.t59flags.com" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://www.t59flags.com</a>

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11-26-2008, 02:49 AM

Posted By: AnonymousYes the game and our society changed..But don't blame it all in the perceptions of middle aged white guys who just don't get it! Put it on the players and on the league! Nobody is buying this watered down version of the NBA.. Too many teams too many young immature kids no emphasis on basic basketball skills..etc...

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11-26-2008, 05:35 AM

Posted By: Tom Boblittsociety in general. Anyone who doesn't see the major changes in society in the last 10-15 years would be blind. Guess there have been similar changes in society within every generation forever and there will be more to come in the future. Just sit back and enjoy them........... As for the white guys, take a look at the luxury boxes in most NBA stadiums and I'd say that it's overwhelmingly the middle-aged white guys out there, so I'd say the NBA still markets to the middle-aged white guy............

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11-26-2008, 08:12 AM

Posted By: barrysloateI think all major sports are catering more to corporate America and less to the average fan. Who can afford to go to games anymore? I think it's a bad trend, but they don't consult with me before making decisions.

mickeymao34

02-06-2016, 01:54 AM

wow! 8 years back and these guys were spot on! i wonder what they would think 8 years later because the NBA is even worse now. Modern day NBA blows!

Rickyy

02-06-2016, 02:31 AM

NBA is currently great for me... my Warriors sucked for the last 20 or so years... but now...

Ricky Y

4815162342

02-06-2016, 07:18 AM

wow! 8 years back and these guys were spot on! i wonder what they would think 8 years later because the NBA is even worse now. Modern day NBA blows!

I completely disagree. Golden State will win 73+ games, with the best selfless team I've seen in my adult life, and with a good Christian role model in Steph Curry leading the way. The NBA is back!

Gobucsmagic74

02-06-2016, 07:22 AM

Referees are too influential in todays game. Subjectivity in calling the game has always been an issue but now certain players and teams blatantly get the benefit of the whistle and it often renders games FT shooting contests and takes all the competitiveness and fun out of the game. Just let teams play

Peter_Spaeth

02-06-2016, 08:26 AM

I completely disagree. Golden State will win 73+ games, with the best selfless team I've seen in my adult life, and with a good Christian role model in Steph Curry leading the way. The NBA is back!

With all the hoopla justifiably surrounding GS, it's easy to overlook that the Spurs are 42-8, just three games behind them. My perception, and maybe it was always the case, is that there are a seemingly endless number of mediocre to really BAD teams and that there is just no point watching a typical game.

frankbmd

02-06-2016, 08:40 AM

A corollary development that has occurred since 2008 is the increasing number of four year colleges recruiting one year players, who enter the NBA after their freshman year. It might work for LeBron and Durant, but it leads to a lot of bodies on the court with no identity. I suspect the number of "sophomores" who last more than a year or two in the NBA is decreasing, being continually replaced by new "no names".

I'm not a fan of today's NBA, but admit to watching a few Warrior games this year. I suspect Curry et al would have succeeded in any era.

Peter_Spaeth

02-06-2016, 08:45 AM

Frank, easy to see why you would have not much interest. :)

2001–02 NBA Eastern 9th Central 5th 41 41 .500 9
2002–03 NBA Eastern 7th Central 4th 42 40 .512 8 Lost First Round (Nets) 4–2
2003–04 NBA Eastern 6th Central 4th 41 41 .500 20 Lost First Round (Pistons) 4–1
2004–05 NBA Eastern 13th Central 5th 30 52 .366 24
2005–06 NBA Eastern 8th Central 5th 40 42 .488 24 Lost First Round (Pistons) 4–1
2006–07 NBA Eastern 14th Central 5th 28 54 .341 25
2007–08 NBA Eastern 13th Central 5th 26 56 .317 33
2008–09 NBA Eastern 12th Central 5th 34 48 .415 32
2009–10 NBA Eastern 6th Central 2nd 46 36 .561 17 Lost First Round (Hawks) 4–3 John Hammond (EoY)
2010–11 NBA Eastern 9th Central 3rd 35 47 .427 27
2011–12 NBA Eastern 9th Central 3rd 31 35 .469 19
2012–13 NBA Eastern 8th Central 3rd 38 44 .463 11½ Lost First Round (Heat) 4–0
2013–14 NBA Eastern 15th Central 5th 15 67 .183 41
2014–15 NBA Eastern 6th Central 3rd 41 41 .500 12 Lost First Round (Bulls) 4–2
2015–16 NBA Eastern 13th Central 5th 20 31 .392 17

frankbmd

02-06-2016, 09:05 AM

Frank, easy to see why you would have not much interest. :)

2001–02 NBA Eastern 9th Central 5th 41 41 .500 9
2002–03 NBA Eastern 7th Central 4th 42 40 .512 8 Lost First Round (Nets) 4–2
2003–04 NBA Eastern 6th Central 4th 41 41 .500 20 Lost First Round (Pistons) 4–1
2004–05 NBA Eastern 13th Central 5th 30 52 .366 24
2005–06 NBA Eastern 8th Central 5th 40 42 .488 24 Lost First Round (Pistons) 4–1
2006–07 NBA Eastern 14th Central 5th 28 54 .341 25
2007–08 NBA Eastern 13th Central 5th 26 56 .317 33
2008–09 NBA Eastern 12th Central 5th 34 48 .415 32
2009–10 NBA Eastern 6th Central 2nd 46 36 .561 17 Lost First Round (Hawks) 4–3 John Hammond (EoY)
2010–11 NBA Eastern 9th Central 3rd 35 47 .427 27
2011–12 NBA Eastern 9th Central 3rd 31 35 .469 19
2012–13 NBA Eastern 8th Central 3rd 38 44 .463 11½ Lost First Round (Heat) 4–0
2013–14 NBA Eastern 15th Central 5th 15 67 .183 41
2014–15 NBA Eastern 6th Central 3rd 41 41 .500 12 Lost First Round (Bulls) 4–2
2015–16 NBA Eastern 13th Central 5th 20 31 .392 17

Sorry Peter, I was never disappointed in the Bucks, for I never watched one of their games.:D

I take that back. I do think I watched one of their games when a kid named Alcindor was playing.:rolleyes:

Peter_Spaeth

02-06-2016, 09:08 AM

Sorry Peter, I was never disappointed in the Bucks, for I never watched one of their games.:D

I take that back. I do think I watched one of their games when a kid named Alcindor was playing.:rolleyes:

Yeah that kid was the kareem of the crop.

Joshchisox08

02-06-2016, 09:55 AM

Used to be a big time NBA fan, used to play basketball way more than baseball as well.

I haven't watched the NBA in about 10 years now. Interest faded. I was, believe it or not was a Jordan/Bulls fan. Then when Rip Hamilton made it to the NBA (used to follow UCONN being from CT and all) I was a Detroit fan.

Those Detroit teams were what the NBA was all about. They played defense and because of that they were not well liked. Most fans liked a boring 100+ points a game where opponents would just let a guy shoot without putting up a hand.

My father and I full heartedly believed that the officiating (even more so around that time period) was completely rigged. The superstars or the teams that would draw the most revenue/fans/ticket sales would get all the calls. Not only all the calls but an over obvious one-sided plethora of bull shit whistle blowing to keep them in the game. I remember that Rasheed Wallace had been suspended for "Speaking of conspiracy theories" What could he have possibly been talking about?????

Shortly after one officiator get's defined as the scapegoat and goes to jail. It was just him that was crooked wasn't it?????????? SURE. Although my father and I knew that it was going on, the fact that it officially became true and they singled out one referee and let all the others take no heat was enough for me. I simply lost total interest after that.

wolf441

02-06-2016, 10:02 AM

With all the hoopla justifiably surrounding GS, it's easy to overlook that the Spurs are 42-8, just three games behind them. My perception, and maybe it was always the case, is that there are a seemingly endless number of mediocre to really BAD teams and that there is just no point watching a typical game.

+1 on the Spurs. Growing up in Boston, I've been a Celtic fan all my life. That said, Tim Duncan is my all time favorite NBA player. It still hurts that the ping pong balls didn't bounce in the Celtics favor, but think of what a career Duncan has had. And I can't think of one remotely negative story that has ever come out about him. No arrests, no abuse charges, not getting players traded, whining about not getting enough shots. He just quietly went about putting up one of the top five careers of all time.

My wife has no real interest in sports, but she is aware of the top names (Brady, Tiger, Arod, Lebron, Jordan, etc....). As I test, I asked her about Tim Duncan. She couldn't even tell me what sport he played. Now that is a superstar who flies under the radar!!

Joshchisox08

02-06-2016, 11:14 AM

Posted By: Ryan ChristoffSounds like integration ruined the NBA for most fans on the board. Tattoos? Tattoos are why you don't like the NBA? Come on! I think you mean tattoos combined with corn rows, don't you? Pretty sure some of the people saying tattoos and thugs are ruining the NBA are the same ones who sang the praises of Josh Hamilton's Home Run Derby performance and wore fake Jason Giambi moustaches at Yankee Stadium. Or won't you watch those guys because they have tattoos? The NBA is alive and well here in Colorado, in spite of the tattoos. GO NUGGETS! -Ryan

Tattoos are a pretty stupid reason. I think it's more the people who are wearing them. I wouldn't so much call them thugs but more like wannabe "hard", "fake thug", etc.

53Browns

02-06-2016, 04:13 PM

It's not a surprise. The same will eventually happen to the NFL. After all, they are mere sports. It was Baseball however that President William Howard Taft, in 1910, declared as officially being our National Pastime. The rest....fads. :D

pariah1107

02-06-2016, 04:51 PM

Tattoos? Are you guys serious? Character issues? I don't see that either.

The top players in the league; LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant all seem to be men of the highest moral order. No more Jailblazers, Malice at the Palace, or Gilbert Arenas just being an idiot.

Watch some basketball, before you comment on such things; Golden State is a great example of teamwork and execution. The Spurs are a methodical machine with veteran leadership. Their games are lessons in sharing the basketball, and selflessness. Rather see that than isolation, one-on-one, Utah Jazz pick-and-rolls, or Kobe jacking up 30 shots a game. IMO the team game has dramatically improved in the last ten years.

That being said, something needs to be done about intentional fouls to poor free throw shooters. That practice is almost epidemic, and horrible to watch. Just my two cents.

Econteachert205

02-06-2016, 05:20 PM

Steph curry has reinvigorated the nba because he looks like a normal person. That's the appeal of baseball, Dustin pedroia could be the guy bagging your groceries.

bbcard1

02-06-2016, 05:30 PM

I have not paid any attention for a number of years. Hassan Whiteside has got me at least interested in the Heat.

Louieman

02-06-2016, 05:40 PM

I've always liked almost all sports but basically proclaimed myself a baseball fan only. Basketball used to be near the bottom of my list, but honestly I never really had a good reason (maybe because I was terrible at playing it).

But in the last few years, watching the Golden State Warriors has completely flipped that around for me. And now I watch intently all the time, for both the Dubs and other teams.

And honestly, I regret that I didn't do it earlier. I never gave basketball the attention it deserved. I feel that everything that baseball doesn't have, basketball does, and vice-versa. The two sports give me everything I love about sports. And there's plenty of great athletes and great people in both.

Baseball is a sport for the patient, for those who appreciate history. So much happens when seemingly nothing is happening. And basketball is all about a rhythm, about a pace that absolutely crams as much action as you can into such a little time. And at times, especially with the Dubs, it looks beautiful, just like baseball. My two cents

Joshchisox08

02-06-2016, 05:54 PM

It's not a surprise. The same will eventually happen to the NFL. After all, they are mere sports. It was Baseball however that President William Howard Taft, in 1910, declared as officially being our National Pastime. The rest....fads. :D

I sure hope you're right about the NFL. God how I can't stand that profession or league.

I believe there was a study and there was like 5 minutes of actual gameplay in the 55 hours it takes to play a game. The rest is players shooting up, beating wives, shooting each other, QBs on the phone, and guys scratching their crotches.

Peter_Spaeth

02-06-2016, 06:02 PM

Steph curry has reinvigorated the nba because he looks like a normal person. That's the appeal of baseball, Dustin pedroia could be the guy bagging your groceries.

Or maybe he has reinvigorated it because he is the greatest pure shooter of all time and a great team player as well? I don't think his looks have much to do with it. Michael Jordan was wildly popular; in the context of the times with his shaved head and earring his looks were not exactly the guy next door but who cared.

Joshchisox08

02-06-2016, 06:34 PM

Steph curry has reinvigorated the nba because he looks like a normal person. That's the appeal of baseball, Dustin pedroia could be the guy bagging your groceries.

Or Pigroia and his snout could be found at your local farm as well :D

mickeymao34

02-06-2016, 08:45 PM

NBA 80s and early 90s never to be repeated. But i have to agree with Curry.. Amazing player with old school team first ethics and a spectacular talent with seemingly zero modern day athlete arrogance.

timn1

02-06-2016, 10:47 PM

I had given up on the NBA a long time ago (not for the "thug" reasons - BTW, some of you guys need to rethink your terminology, IMO). But Steph has inspired everywhere he has played - he got my alma mater Davidson to the Elite 8, for cryin' out loud. Now he's on track to be one of the iconic BKB players in history. Awesome!

BicycleSpokes

02-07-2016, 12:11 PM

Steph is the most entertaining athlete alive right now. He has changed the math of the sport.

Sent from my GT-I8190 using Tapatalk

Hot Springs Bathers

02-08-2016, 09:21 AM

Not an indictment of the NBA at all but I don't ever hear a single word about the game? No one ever mentions watching a game or even the highlights from the night before. I have not watched a minute of an NBA game in over 20 years.

Of course I live in the south where all talk is about SEC football, SEC recruiting and SEC Spring games.

insidethewrapper

02-08-2016, 09:31 AM

The regular season means nothing . It's all the playoffs. The players only play half the game and are resting for the playoffs, which I never watch because it's during baseball season and summertime. Seems like a lot of gang type players which I can't relate too. Maybe I'm to old.