8/25/2004 Insider

[Gaddabout]

And let me add one more thing: Everytime I watch that 1976 Suns/Celtics Game 5 replayed, it's always jarring to me to see how uncoordinated many of the players were when they dribbled the ball. I think it's evident there are some things the average NBA player of today does so much better than players just two decades removed.

 

[George O'Brien]

And let me add one more thing: Everytime I watch that 1976 Suns/Celtics Game 5 replayed, it's always jarring to me to see how uncoordinated many of the players were when they dribbled the ball. I think it's evident there are some things the average NBA player of today does so much better than players just two decades removed.

I have no doubt that NBA players today are on average better athletes and have greater physical coordination than 30 years ago. That's what they have been selected for. That being said, I think the top players of the '70's would beat a team of the top players today because the top players were very good athletes AND had much better skills. My guess is that below the elite players of that era, the difference in athleticism would be too great.

One obvious problem in comparing teams now (NBA and Europe) to NBA teams in the 70's is the three point line. Teams in the 70's were focused on getting the ball inside and there were a number of great low post centers in that period. I'm not sure the current NBA players would care to play under the 70's rules.

 

[Lars the Red]

And let me add one more thing: Everytime I watch that 1976 Suns/Celtics Game 5 replayed, it's always jarring to me to see how uncoordinated many of the players were when they dribbled the ball. I think it's evident there are some things the average NBA player of today does so much better than players just two decades removed.

I have to agree with the uncoordinated look of that game. Westfall looked like a stud, and the Celtics had some good players, Scott comes to mind, but Heard and Perry were stiffs. The other factor you have to consider in watching those games was it was at the end of a very long season and they both looked like spent teams.

I asked in an earlier thread, who would you have left alone when playing the '73 Knicks? No one. They could all pass, shoot and handle the ball. If you want to look at a real down time for the league, the mid 70's would come to mind. I prefer the early 70's teams and the late 70's teams. Early had some great Laker-Knick rivalries, and we know what great games there were in the late 70's early 80's.

 

[Lars the Red]

I have no doubt that NBA players today are on average better athletes and have greater physical coordination than 30 years ago. .

I think you can attribute part of that to better strength training and diet. My dad used to be amazed we would lift weights all the way through the season. They didn't weight train for fear it would hurt their shot. Can you imagine Wilt, Willis, Zelmo, Nate, Wes, or any number of other big men of that era if they would of had the same strength training?

 

[George O'Brien]

I think you can attribute part of that to better strength training and diet. My dad used to be amazed we would lift weights all the way through the season. They didn't weight train for fear it would hurt their shot. Can you imagine Wilt, Willis, Zelmo, Nate, Wes, or any number of other big men of that era if they would of had the same strength training?

One issue that hasn't been discussed is whether weight training has had a negitive impact on shooting. It certainly seemed like the weight training that Marion did last summer seemed to throw his stroke off early in the season and the Europeans do not do nearly as much weight training as American players do.

I don't have a feel for how much weight training perimeter guys are doing. Obviously inside guys have to work on strength because defense is so crucial, but outside guys these days look a lot more pumped up than in previous years.

I'm not sure that my hypothesis is true, but weight training could impact shooting in two ways. First, by creating changing the strength levels depending on how much or little the player can work with weights during the season. Second, time spent lifting weights is time that is not being spent on shooting.

 

[slinslin]

How is the league struggling when they keep expanding and rating are going up?

That's struggling?

 

[slinslin]

What an incredibly stupid comment. The NBA is boring. No one watches during the regular season. You can go to any game in the league on any given night and get great seats. You get maybe 2 or 3 great plays a game, and the rest of the time your bored out of your mind and amazed these guys get a paycheck. The only people that find the NBA stimulating are those that get a real charge out of WWE events and Hip Hop.

The Internationals watch to see guys like Peja, Manu, Yao, Dirk, Nash, Hedo, Gasol, Darko, Zarko, etc.. They laugh their butts off watching the inept play from the street cred boys.

You are trying to tell me about that?

ummm please...

Since I am from europe and all my friends watching NBA are from europe as well you would think I don't need you to tell me about international viewers.

I don't care one bit about Dallas or Dirk. My friends favorite players are Steve Nash, Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant...

Dirk Nowitzki doesn't even have as many commercials as Tracy McGrady, Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant.... in fact he doesn't have any at all I think aside from the national team's sponsor.

I guess you didn't realize how this team USA drew thousands of fans cheering THEM in cologne, belgrade, istanbul....

How many international basketball games did you even watch to make those comments?

The only people that find the NBA stimulating are those that get a real charge out of WWE events and Hip Hop.
That's easily one of the most ignorant and stupid things ever posted on this board.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

This NBA bashing is getting pretty old. Look, it is what it is, and there is little chance of major change for the time being. I find the current game quite entertaining, and I imagine that Stern will eventually force an age limit, which will improve both the NBA and college basketball. Then, players will come in the league better prepared to contribute. Frankly, I find a game without the athleticism of NBA players pretty boring. I grow tired of the soft style and flopping of European basketball. While their fundimentals are more impressive, and the NBA could be better with increased fundimentals, basketball is far from being in trouble. Perhaps it's just a generational thing.....sorry to contradict the geezers....