Lets not devolve into a "the NBA since Larry and Michael sux" thing, but I'm finding myself watching a lot more NBA than I did 5-10 years ago. And it's not just because the Grizzlies are good, hell I caught myself watching the Knicks/Nets last night. It seems like the overall talent (with the glaring exception of a few teams, I'm looking at you Washington) and even fundamentals have improved. Maybe the one year in college rule is helping a little, I don't know, but it's just been a lot more entertaining the last few years.
Anyone else think the NBA has gotten a lot better in the last 5-7 years?
- Thread starter Optimus Prime 4
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Can't wait for the responses you're about to get.
seriously though, yes I think it is much better. Seems to be a lot more competitive from top to bottom too except for just a couple of teams.
seriously though, yes I think it is much better. Seems to be a lot more competitive from top to bottom too except for just a couple of teams.
Yes much better, the networks have improved is the biggest difference I've noticed. ESPN, TNT and NBATV all do a much more entertaining job announcing the games than the awful Bill Walton, Marv Albert etc. days. Also the TNT crew of Ernie, Kenny, Shaq and Chuck is just hilarious. Shaq and Chuck going back and forth with Ernie fueling the fire might be the best comedy on tv.
I know, they always show up
Though the "thug" argument is kind of useless right now too, considering other sports.
Though the "thug" argument is kind of useless right now too, considering other sports.
Here I am
The NBA sucks. The refs suck, and (don't) call blatantly bad fouls. There is very little defense left at the professional level. Also, it's getting close to soccer with all the "flops" the players take. The NBA may be a little better than it was a few years ago, but it still sucks, and I'd much rather watch college... probably even high school.
The NBA sucks. The refs suck, and (don't) call blatantly bad fouls. There is very little defense left at the professional level. Also, it's getting close to soccer with all the "flops" the players take. The NBA may be a little better than it was a few years ago, but it still sucks, and I'd much rather watch college... probably even high school.
It's a million times better than when Jordan played.
Not the Bird, Magic, Jordan argument you expected? That was such a glorified time in the league because Boston, LA, and Chicago were good and had hall of famers. The rest of the leauge? Does anyone remember?
The league has always been good and it keeps getting better. We just notice it now because teams in the South are relevant.
Not the Bird, Magic, Jordan argument you expected? That was such a glorified time in the league because Boston, LA, and Chicago were good and had hall of famers. The rest of the leauge? Does anyone remember?
The league has always been good and it keeps getting better. We just notice it now because teams in the South are relevant.
Agree about refs. Disagree with defense.
Refs are turrable. Defense is incredible. It's a different game with the shorter shot clock, but those dudes play some intense defense, especially down low.
Refs are turrable. Defense is incredible. It's a different game with the shorter shot clock, but those dudes play some intense defense, especially down low.
They now receive fines for flopping. Just started this season, so hopefully that part of it will fade away. But, yeah, I've been far more interested in the NBA over the past few years...then again, I'm from the Memphis area too.
Yeah those Jordan led teams were great teams but it also helped that the Eastern Conference sucked donkey balls pretty much the entire time. Celtics and Knicks were the only consistent winners.
And the refs aren't terrible in college? NBA players play defense but they also have incredible ability and skill and can shoot even with a defender in their face.
The NBA has become easily my 3rd favorite sport...
behind College Football and the NFL.
The intensity seems to have changed in the past 5-7 years. I think when the Big 3 w/ the Celtics won in 2008 teams started to ramp it up.
The shooting talent now is unbelievable. A guy creates any space for himself he usually gets the ball and usually makes the shot. I like that razor thin margin for error. I think you see more interior defense also. Ibaka, Noah, Chandler, Griffin, New Duncan, Garnett, D Howard when he wants to play... Lots of bigs now who are effort guys. Its almost like Shaq destroyed every guy in his era and now they are making a comeback. Kind of like Olajuwon and Ewing did during their era.
Icing on top now is I think there is better in studio analysis and breakdown now than ever before. You watch the ESPN or TNT game night shows and you really get a good in depth take, not just Ahmad Rashad and his smirk.
behind College Football and the NFL.
The intensity seems to have changed in the past 5-7 years. I think when the Big 3 w/ the Celtics won in 2008 teams started to ramp it up.
The shooting talent now is unbelievable. A guy creates any space for himself he usually gets the ball and usually makes the shot. I like that razor thin margin for error. I think you see more interior defense also. Ibaka, Noah, Chandler, Griffin, New Duncan, Garnett, D Howard when he wants to play... Lots of bigs now who are effort guys. Its almost like Shaq destroyed every guy in his era and now they are making a comeback. Kind of like Olajuwon and Ewing did during their era.
Icing on top now is I think there is better in studio analysis and breakdown now than ever before. You watch the ESPN or TNT game night shows and you really get a good in depth take, not just Ahmad Rashad and his smirk.
The NBA is better the last 5-7 years but college basketball has suffered because of it. College basketball right now is horrible. Besides MSU, or the college team you follow, could you name one starting line up around the country. I'll take it step further, could you name 5 players from other schools around the country? No way in hell. 10 years ago I could have done all the above and more. I have no clue now. The casual fan has no clue who the top 5 players are in the country nor do the care. You don't believe me? A week and a half ago Texas played UCLA here in Houston and there were a 1,000 people at the game. They said there were 2k and change officially but that's not even close accurate. 1,000 people, at a UT vs. UCLA game in a city of 5 million people with tons of rabid Longhorn fans. Let that sink in.
Can't stand to watch it! I can't stand Kobe Bryant or Lebron James and any of the rest of them who are nothing more than a bunch of drama queens when things don't go their way.
You went too far in trying to make your point.
I get that college basketball isnt as great this year as in previous years, but to say people cant name 5 players in the country is just dumb.
Gonzaga is a fantastic team to watch. Michigan is very solid. Duke, as much as i hate seeing them succeed, is very good this year and actually has big men who can do more than just rebound and screen. Ohio State has one of the best scorers in all of college basketball. Indiana is fundamentally solid and has a ton of talent.
Its not like there is some trend in college basketball where the talent has been disappearing for the last 4 or 5 seasons, or anything like that. Talent and individual names have been in the collective common ear every year except this one. Casual(and by casual, i mean my even my wife who doesnt watch college basketball) could have named players in the previous 5 seasons. So if someone is a college basketball fan, they will easily be able to name 5 players this year. Seriously, 5 players? What a dumb comment.
I gave up on the NBA for over a decade and started watching it about 3 years ago, but really only the playoffs. That was entertaining.
Last year i watched a few regular season games.
This year, i have already watched more than last season.
Its gotten a lot better.
One of the reasons why i watch more now is because most of the talent is young enough to be in college or just out of college, so they still play with hustle and try. I like seeing those that i knew from the college game and seeing how their games have developed.
ESPN has the best color commentator too, which helps watch the games. Van Gundy is bitchin. He is straight forward, does an excellent job of recognizing improvements in player's skills, and is more than happy to call a spade when he thinks something is dumb.
Last night, he went off on how Kaman played for the German National team because his great grandparents were from Germany. It was great to hear someone on TV make off the cuff comments on stuff like that. He has a great balance and doesnt side with players of refs more than the other.
Last year i watched a few regular season games.
This year, i have already watched more than last season.
Its gotten a lot better.
One of the reasons why i watch more now is because most of the talent is young enough to be in college or just out of college, so they still play with hustle and try. I like seeing those that i knew from the college game and seeing how their games have developed.
ESPN has the best color commentator too, which helps watch the games. Van Gundy is bitchin. He is straight forward, does an excellent job of recognizing improvements in player's skills, and is more than happy to call a spade when he thinks something is dumb.
Last night, he went off on how Kaman played for the German National team because his great grandparents were from Germany. It was great to hear someone on TV make off the cuff comments on stuff like that. He has a great balance and doesnt side with players of refs more than the other.
Yeah, he did go too far in making his point. But the fact is, the level of play in college basketball is a lot worse than it was 20 years ago and it's been that way for a while now. With very few exceptions, college basketball is a very ugly game to watch.
Yes the game has gotten better.
The game speed has picked up more along with the athletes. I remember the days when it was mainly based around Post play it seemed like.
Also the 3pt shooting has improved as well.
My only complaint is the increase in international players.
Watched Mo Williams last night....he got mad skillz
The game speed has picked up more along with the athletes. I remember the days when it was mainly based around Post play it seemed like.
Also the 3pt shooting has improved as well.
My only complaint is the increase in international players.
Watched Mo Williams last night....he got mad skillz
I think the rise of college football has hurt college BB more than the NBA...
People spend all their time and money going to and supporting their college football team they don't have any enthusiasm left for basketball. NBA fans fit a little different demo. I think the college game is the same as its been. As mstateglfr said Michigan, Duke, Ohio State and Indiana are all very good teams this year.
People spend all their time and money going to and supporting their college football team they don't have any enthusiasm left for basketball. NBA fans fit a little different demo. I think the college game is the same as its been. As mstateglfr said Michigan, Duke, Ohio State and Indiana are all very good teams this year.
I never said the talent level in college is bad. It's great, but they're in school for a year and into the NBA. Recognizable teams in college in the past were recognizable because players and groups of players on teams had built up reputations from year to year. You knew the players, you knew teams. The one and done has hurt college basketball. You can't argue that. Yeah people follow it, in March during tournament time. Call me dumb. Look at these pictures. Remember UT vs. UCLA. This is not a women's high school volleyball tournament.
http://www.texassports.com/view.gal?id=131117
http://www.texassports.com/view.gal?id=131117
I was able to sit in a suite in New Orleans watching the Lakers-Hornets game a few days ago. The biggest issue I have is the protection of stars...like Kobe. It was ridiculous. In the course of the game flow, the whistle occurs after a play involving contact. There is a "natural" rhythm with a foul call...except Kobe. There was a good 2 seconds following a play involving Kobe when the whistle would blow. Monte Williams, normally a calm demeanor type, got teed up after getting his fill of that crap. Kobe at 36 is still a superstar and does not NEED that protection. He would be a star without that treatment. Anyway, I enjoy today's NBA. Many stars, a lot of young talent, good teams. The only game I will not watch is a Grizzlies game...they get ALL the calls...(Hi Sesh).
The analysts are fine except Magic Johnson on ESPN. He knows nothing about anyone except the Clippers and Lakers.
Couldn't agree more...
Its really bothered me that arguably the best player to ever do commentary brings less to the table than Kenny Smith, Jalen Rose and dare I say Michael Wilbon. Just speaks in broad generalities.
I think Jalen may the best in the business. Kenny and Chuck are good also.
Its really bothered me that arguably the best player to ever do commentary brings less to the table than Kenny Smith, Jalen Rose and dare I say Michael Wilbon. Just speaks in broad generalities.
I think Jalen may the best in the business. Kenny and Chuck are good also.