I wanted to take the time out to remember the great things about the NBA. Things that are now extinct in today’s game and disregarded as old and irrelevant. I’m one of the foremost believers in the expression “all change isn’t bad.” At the same time, some change may leave the true believers feeling a little short changed.
Remember the time before NBA Franchises sold their souls to corporate sponsors when their teams played in arenas with history and nostalgia? The Spectrum in Philly (Sixers), Chicago Stadium (Bulls), Richfield Coliseum (Cavaliers), Great Western Forum (Lakers), Hemisfair Arena (Spurs), Boston Garden (Celtics), Reunion Arena (Mavericks), Memorial Coliseum (Trailblazers). Believe it or not but the Arena name represented tradition, playoff glory or heartbreak, and historic moments. I use to get goose bumps at the mention of certain arenas due to the games that took place there. I don’t get that same feeling from hearing Quicken Loans Arena, TD Bank North Arena, The Staples Center, American Airlines Arena, Barclay’s Center, or the United Center. Sorry, call me old fashioned I don’t mind at all.
Courtesy: Yahoo Sports
Remember Saturday mornings with Ahmad Rashad, the NBA Inside Stuff? Jam Session? Remember the Bud Light Player of the Game? Remember player introductions? Believe it or not, those player introductions assisted me on my path to possessing one of the greatest sports memory almanacs. Player biographies, their alma maters, their years of service to the league, etc. Now, they just flash the starting lineups on the screen and throw out the ball. WOW! I truly believe this is one of the main reasons that young players and fans have no sense of history regarding the NBA.
Remember when the All Star Game was the All Star Game and not a concert? Now they make you sit through nearly 2 hours of boring performances before the game even starts. Remember when the Dunk Contest rules were “anything you can do, I can do better?” Imagine if Dominique Wilkins, Michael Jordan, Clyde Drexler, Shawn Kemp, Rex Chapman, Stacey Augmon, Larry Johnson, Dee Brown, Spud Webb, Kobe Bryant, or Jason Richardson were allowed to get four, five, six, or even seven tries to complete ONE DUNK? Adam Silver (New NBA Commissioner), please eliminate this ridiculous display of overhype, under performed theatrics. It’s truly bad for business. Just like the new flopping rules. No, really. Flopping? I’m just saying.
