@@ShadowAngel-lt8nw Even Lazy Shaq had Greatness in him. Playing Half Assed most of his career in damn near every game of the season beats...the modern game of playing half assed but only playing 2/3rds of the season.
When I was growing up basketball used to be about the love and passion for the game, these days it’s mostly about money and pre-game fashion. Sad to see such shallowness from people.
I am 43 living in Spain. I remember back when I was 10 watching the one week game on TV with my brother from 2am to 5 or 6am. Those are the years I enjoyed the most watching a sport: magic, bird, bad boys, jordan,...real passion!
There used to be wars in the NBA playoffs. Guys weren’t vacationing off season with players from other teams. Now it’s all bloated salaries and bling. I can’t watch an entire game anymore. I also hate the pontification from uneducated sports stars . Just play the game dummy
I grew up with late 80s and 90s basketball, there was nothing like it. The slogan for 90s basketball was “I love this game” and everyone did. I tried watching a modern Bulls game recently, I couldn’t watch 5 minutes.
I liked the 80's slogan too "NBA Action, is Fantastic!" The Modern NBA should be "NBA is....zzzzzz," I agree it's hard to watch today's NBA. I haven't watched a game nor highlight all season and don't miss it
You are 100% on point & this game is so wishy washy now, that I honestly forgot how great of a slogan that really was & they have destroyed the All - Star Game altogether 🤦🏾♂️
The NBA of the late 80's and 90's was so gritty, tough, it was a battle of wills and the desire to win more than your opponents. Nowadays it feels like a shooting competition, nobody play D. It's a shame.
Everybody is trying to copy the success of the 2015-2019 Warriors. Everybody has their copycat Steph & Klay duo, and a “heart and soul of the team” ripoff Draymond.
The last great series I seen that was extremely gritty and felt like a fight was going to break out at any minute was the Los Angeles Clippers vs Memphis Grizzlies from 2012. Go back and watch those games. That was great, hard-nosed basketball.
Man, I miss watching late 80’s - 90’s basketball. I feel blessed to have watched the greatness of Jordan, Malone, Barkley, Stockton, Magic, Bird, Shaq, Pippin, and on and on. They left everything they had on the court. You knew, even if they lost, they gave it everything and pushed for more.
Basketball just isn’t the same, and that might have been the last time that we will ever see a passionate generation, concerning the game of Basketball itself 🤦🏾♂️
@@joelvitasa1121 Yeah, but allowing them to play zone defense truly makes them weak as tap water 💦 and they never ever learn to man up & if a player like MJ played in this league right now today, he would average about 40 - 45 per game, and I am being modest with my numbers. Now players are so so cut up and athletic, that as soon as you touch them, they get injured or fall on the floor in pain ( Smh ) but it isn’t just Basketball that has been watered down, but Football as well.
I started watching the NBA again after a 20 year break. I honestly thought when I watched my first game again in 2021 that they had put covid restrictions in place to limit player contact. I didn't realize they had ruined the game with no hand checking. It really is a watered down version of the game I loved for so many years. And then on top of that seeing so many superstars not play all 82 games. It genuinely makes me sad. Not only for myself but for the younger generation that will never know how great the NBA used to be.
Thank you for your comment about today's NBA players not playing 82 games; ironically I recently wondered if 70s & 80s NBA players missed games like 21st century NBA players miss games: Khawhi, Simmons, etc. Aedin
So when they say if Steph Curry is the best Point guard ever cause he dropped 50 against a Young inexperienced team who can’t play team defense in a game 7 it’s amazes me how these OLD HEADS ARE AGREEING WITH THE HORSE SCHITT NARRATIVE
I also stopped watching the NBA about 20 years ago. Just yesterday I tried watching a playoff game and it was so boring I had to keep fast forwarding through it with the DVR. And I used to love the NBA.
One thing that’s been really pissing me off lately is players not boxing out anymore. But then when they do box out (a good box out) they get called a foul like 70% of the time.
When I was still actively playing, I’m 40+ and I’d play against young guys. They’d argue with each other saying “guard him” r “stop him” n etc. it was funny bcuz they couldn’t figure out how to “stop” me. When all I was doing was getting offensive rebounds n putting back, so all they had to do was box out. But none of them knew it 😂😂.
I agree 100%. The NBA isn't what it used to be. It makes me sick to see how soft the game (and the players) have become. And yes, get the 7 footers back in the paint posting up and stop shooting 3's.
Late 2000s shit take turn for the worse year after year ,NBA didn't wanted real PF and C which made everybody just run and shoot ,small ball with a lot of shooting and 3s all offence and no defence and now we have that soft brainless game
When I was a kid, we were all taught the very fundamentals of how to play. We were made to constantly run drills and I’m not talking about 1v1 or 3v3 drills. I’m talking dribbling drills, passing drills, footwork drills. We basically weren’t even allowed to scrimmage until we could do all of these basic things correctly. You saw these fundamentals being imprinted on all players, from the community/church leagues, high school, college and up into the NBA. People were taught and expected to use the basic, ubiquitous techniques, plays and strategies that had been developed over decades. Now when I watch professional players in the NBA, I see some very sloppy players with no technique. I see people making ridiculously bad passes. Players with very poor ball handling skills. Taking low percentage shots when they don’t need to. Missing layups 😂 its really, really disheartening. I’m not saying there aren’t skilled players. There obviously are many great players today, but when I see a lot of pros, I think it’s very obvious that there is very little emphasis on the fundamentals being taught to the younger generation. A lot of these pros would have never been signed in the time of Stockton,Malone, Robinson, Miller, Jordan, etc… that sloppy play would not fly in those days.
As long as Adam Silver continues to be the commissioner of the NBA, the league will continue to slowly die and it's sad and disappointing to witness this when remembering how great it use to be. David Stern was someone who understood what the fans appreciated and the players of the NBA took a lot of pride to want to play every game during those times. When enough time has passed, this era of the NBA today will not reflect well in the future.
@TheWillrocks51 During the MJ days, they averaged.3.1 million viewers a game...now it's at 1.5 million a game.. only things that have came close as far wise as viewership were the Heatles years with bron and Wade in Miami at around 2.5 million..as a matter of fact this last year was by far the worst year in viewership in the last 30 years. So they absolutely don't do better numbers now..not even close
@@copekillzz yeah, 1.5m live TV views. You understand that less than 20% of all views for any show come from TV now, right? You do understand the internet is out there, right? You do know of this?
@TheWillrocks51 even with the internet, that's just 100,000 or 200,000 extra views, so it doesn't make a difference. Idk where you made up that 20 percent number, but it's closer to 70 percent. There is no need to make up things to try to atone for your error.
I was born in 1980… so my era was late 80s/early 90s until the mid to late 2000s and even that was pushing it. When my favorite player finally retired in ‘05 the last guy i followed was prime DHoward on ORL and after he left and became something else then it ended right there. I’m sorry to say i get more enjoyment watching old school nba on RUclips then watching the current product.
I was born in 1977 and I pretty much feel the same way like you do! Take all star games for example! They were real games, where players actually played defense, and they would still score 130 points, or whatever, and still put on a helluva show! Whereas right now, all star games are easy dunks, three pointers, no defense and nothing else! And speaking of all star games, great players like Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, Shawn Kemp, Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Ray Allen, Ralph Sampson, D Howard etc would compete in the Slam Dunk Contest and even win it! While, this year's dunk contest was won by D Leaguer!
I was born July 1980 and I can relate. Remember the 90s before the strike? Saturday and Sunday would have games of the week with premier matchups like Pacers vs Knicks or Magic vs Bulls and so on
It’s gotten so bad with the current iteration of the league that I appreciate the pre-merger era even more today because the fundamentals and pure love of the game is evident. Sad to see the younger generation generally 45 and under simply write off the era as if Wilt, Russell, Elgin, Jerry West, Big O, Kareem, etc wasn’t obliterating the record books. Long live pre 2010’s NBA ⚰️🪦
Todays players are Wussy’s! Today It’s all about playing Horae and shooting 3 pointers. Players dont even want to play defense!! They had to legalize Zone defense. And god forbid you touch a person
Spoken like a true old head. I love old school players and even the times. Players have more control now than they ever did. Some legends are just salty they had no control over their own lives or decisions. Now you can sign a 4 year contract, play 1 year and then request a trade. What’s messed up is the media and fans applaud or support said player. Dude you signed the contract. I know you don’t have education but you got to know if you sign you’re agreeing to play. That’s my only gripe with todays NBA. Players bitch, kick and scream dragging their feet like little kids. Man up and ball or find another sport lol
@@yo3rdtier128 I think MJ would like to have a few words with you on that statement. MJ in his prime would be killing it because his game was drive the lane all day everyday, and played against players like Laimbeer, Mutumbo, Olajawon, Barkley, Ewing, and many other Hall of Famers. he went 6 times to the finals and won 6 titles and 6 Finals MVP's. Played all games accept in three seasons 2 for injuries and one when he first came back after retiring the first time. MJ would destroy the league just like he did back then, the numbers don't lie.
I agree with all of the presented facts and your sentiment, Sean. I would add that the allergy to physical contact (i.e. free layups and uncontested distance shooting) has led to bloated scoring that really inflate scoring, to the point of diminishing each point scored. Yes, shooting has been more emphasized, and therefore, practiced to improve efficiency, but the lack of physicality makes each shot easier to take and comes at the expense of expending energy for defense. Plus, the extremes of player movement and fraternizing has really taken the competitiveness out of the game in favor of recruiting future teammates. We don't necessarily need to see bad blood for rivalries, but the basic spirit of competitiveness is lacking today in all but rare instances (primarily with the international stars who didn't grow up in the AAU system).
It was decent until the early 2010's. Defense was still played, mid-range and post players still were relevant...them the GS Warriors came with great shooters that other teams tried to mimic with their average shooters; in turn forgetting the defense, mid-range and post...
@@hyedefinition1080 decent ain’t great- close ain’t hitting-almost ain’t there -a chevy ain’t a Pontiac- a one hitter ain’t a no hitter-49 homers ain’t 50 & the neighbourhood play ain’t 2nd base……are you hearing me?
Oh yes...Today it is all about load stupid management...Live n die by the 3pts obsession😢Thats why in the highlights they never show the many misses..These playoffs arent good at all, too many injuries, NO DEFENSE....
I watched this to get a feel for what the NBA's like now. Haven't followed it in years; but recently watching some of our old Celtics games has made me miss it terribly. Now I know..."you can never go home again." I had a feeling it was all different now...less deep.
When JJ claimed the game was more physical today, I literally laughed out loud and immediately kept seeing which old school players were going to clown him.
I have tried to watch more matches post Malice in the Palace era, but it's like overall game strategy has gradually moved to the downtown zone. Sorry, but looking at long plays of ballers passing the balls around to get 3 points after 3 points is not entertaining to me. The key role of centers has greatly diminished over time and with it the spectacular character of the showdowns.
@Garlic Goblin Ziusudra the playoffs are a little better but honestly, watching the allstar game today is kind of like today's NBA taken to the extreme limit. You can find full all star games from the 80s and yeah, they weren't playing anywhere near the physicality of 80s, 90s and early 00s but you can see guys trying to play defense, diving for balls etc. Was that stupid? Probably but it highlights the difference.
@@lancelindgren5655 Right! JJ was an NBA Player who didn't receive a lot of fanfare, so he's using his current platform just to create "drama" , saying statements for attention
Perhaps he meant more physical as in running laps back and forth from hoop to faster than 30 years ago. But he'd still be wrong anyhow because in the 60's they ran back and forth faster than any era, like 5+ miles a game if you played 40 minutes.
I'm a Knicks fan, and I have to admit I haven't watched regularly since Sprewell was there. I'm following them today and it LITERALLY is a three point contest. No body posts up, and no smash mouth basketball to be had. Thank you for posting this because I thought It was just me. Long live old school basketball !
Greatest run we had to witness as knick fans latrell came out like MJ after that choking layoffs almost a 8 month suspension and unrusted in front of our eyes throughout the season what a run that was
These players are a bunch of putos! I was a die hard Knick fan but once the players started getting more of the say- game over. These superstars make hundreds of millions of dollars and miss half a season then they are in the playoffs and will play until they get tired. Generation of the puto. And I don’t watch it anymore. NBA sucks
This video nails it. I've lost all interest in regular season basketball, and even the playoffs lack the level of competitiveness and intensity that once made the game great. Love Kobe's quote here, sums it up perfectly. It's no longer a smashmouth league.
I don't usually comment, but I felt like I had to say something. I am in total agreement with you guys. I grew up as a hardcore Laker fan in the Magic Johnson era, and I am really disappointed with the way the NBA has gone.
I am so glad that you put the Kobe Bryant clip up there because that really says a lot because Kobe was even complaining about how weak the league is during his time in the league and it was still a little bit physical at that time. Just imagine what he would say now, this league is terrible and I reiterate Adam Silver is the worst commissioner in history and I’m talking about in any sport.
For me it all boils down to zero D and extremely short player tenure at franchises. The carrying, illegal screens, traveling and crying over contact don't help either, but the first two are deal killers.
Thank you for this video, Sean! I thought I was the only one. Unfortunately, I don’t watch the NBA at all anymore. That statement alone is astonishing because I grew up with the NBA on TV every night! my father was a big NBA fan and ball player himself, so there was nothing else on TV in the evening, but basketball. And to put the cherry on top, I grew up in Chicagoland, so I grew up with Michael Jordan, in my city and on television every night, what a joy 🤩
I lived in chicago for the final 2 championships and was lucky enough to sit along the baseline in row 5 and saw MJ float along the baseline, pure poetry, no one before him or since has been able to float like he did.
1980-2005 was the best era of the NBA. The lack of defense makes, soft players, pushing politics, game management of player time, shooting a low percentage shot with 20 seconds on the shot clock, lack of ball movement utilizing passing and tactics and many more makes the modern NBA unwatchable.
It’s the same here with rugby league here in Australia, so much toughness is whistled out of the game and I think it’s with most sports now, just a watered down version of epic games they could be
@@eccawarrior Completely agree with basketball. But isn't there was a document about rugby player got long term brain problem due to so many tackle leading to suicide?
@@cynt4416 yeah it was Paul Green, I do understand some of the stuff banned but other things is just ridiculous, it doesn’t help with the obvious bias of teams have ruined the game also
Id say a few years earlier...the Tainted Lakers Era when Donnelly was shaving points as a Ref and when the NBA as a whole fucked over the Timberwolves in that Conference Finals against them....I couldn't stand watching the NBA for years after that bullshit.
As a hockey player really enjoyed watching Jordan, Pippen, Magic, Bird, Stockton, Dr J , Barkley and really enjoyed Kobe as well. Playing hockey in 80s 90s I feel the same about today’s NHL soft as baby sh it
I’m glad you said that!!! It makes me sick. Switch teams like changing underwear!!! Cities embraced their players back then and didn’t turn their backs. Now a player has a few bad games and they get booed. Then want to be traded to play with some other phony star!!🤮🤮
100% agree. Today's NBA is shallow. Its a mere shadow of what it used to be. I watch it and keep up with it in the hopes of recapturing something that I used to have. "Like the dew on the mountain, Like the foam on the river, Like the bubble on the fountain, Thou art gone, and for ever!" -Sir Walter Scott
What kills me is that Chicago often tries to play Old School ball, but they get punished for it. Zach Lavine plays like Scottie Pippen in an Era where that style of play isn't rewarded. And because his style is so 90's dominant, he doesn't get calls that keep New School teams in contention. Sad. They PUNISH old school ballers. Giannis too, and Gobert.
I used to love watching basketball back in late 90s early 2000s. Nothing will ever beat the 03 pistons putting on an absolute Clinic on defence and hustle. That team made me play strictly defensive positions in all sports. Yeah offence is flashy but when you stuff someone the real boys know.
They did play like this during the 80s and 90s, it was called an all-star game. No defense, no hard fouls, no effort, and nobody took losing seriously. The problem now its an all-star game every night minus the all-stars.
Watch the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s all star games again, and you'll change your mind. Because they they would actually play defense, and would still score 130 points or whatever, and give us a great show at the same time! All-star games back then were like regular games! Now it's a a no D 3 point chuckathon, a dunkathon and nothing else!
Ill split the difference. I remember the 1st quarter or 2 of all star games being pretty free form, but the 2nd halfs were usually tougher D being played.
Nah, an all star game in the 20th century was a typical game , played just as hard as regular season (eventually) ,just with better players . All star competition was hardcore
I think that there’s virtually no defense or defensive strategy anymore. The open play and the euro step makes getting to the rim virtually a cakewalk. Getting a charge called is rare as well. Though I’ve seen some serious hits with players hitting the floor hard. Dunks are so common now the if it’s not a three its a dunk. I do still watch the highlights of most games.
It’s actually way easier to draw a charge now than before. Before the league expected guys to try to block shots instead of rewarding them for sliding in front of drivers at the last second
When I discuss the way basketball was played in the 80's and 90's with the 20 & 30 somethings at my job, I try to articulate EVERYTHING these guys in this video said. NOW I have the perfect video for these punks to watch and see the greats of the game agreeing 1000% with every word! This is fantastic!
80s was the best…. Watching lakers vs Celtics. The ball movement, the passing, the fast breaks….. artistry in action. It was just beautiful to watch. There was a certain amount of selflessness in the game even tho there were dominant stars. 90s were great too, so I’m not taking away from that. It was also great basketball to watch.
It wasn't just MJ who could play - EVERYBODY could play. That's why MJ was so popular - he was surrounded by several people on other teams who could play. The Dream Team 92 was exactly that. A DREAM team.
cause all those guys in the 90s could shoot 3s and finish on both sides of the rims. Think of it like this. If Allen Iverson crossed up MJ, what do you think Kyrie would do to him?
And Prime MJ was the 3rd option on the Dream Time, for what that's worth. And for good reason, because Barkley played out of his mind, and Malone was most of the time the better scoring option and matchup. But yea, tells you how stacked 80's and 90's NBA was. The guy who was hands-down the best player on the best team ever assembled that summer - the Barkley on the Dream Team - never won a ring in the NBA.
@@kennythai78 would of at least loved to see them play that prime Hakeem Olajowan team in Houston that won two in a row before injuries and age caught up to them when Jordan came back.Would of been their biggest challenge of all the teams they went thru
I don't watch the NBA anymore. Haven't for many years. But back when I used to watch it, the game, made you watch it. It drew you in. It made you want to go get a basketball and play some serious hoops. It was inspiring. This was during the 70s, 80s, and 90s. I loved basketball so much. I can't even watch it now. I've tried.
Yes, inspiring, wanting to go to the basketball courts yourself - but then keeping an eye on the time so the actual game isn't missed, say the NBA on NBC. Now, not so much.
Man I grew up watching the NBA in the 80's and 90's. I think this era is a fun to watch, better than the late 90's where the Jazz scored 54 in a NBA Finals game. Great as Jordan was for the league , it created this horrible hangover effect of playing isolation ball. Part of the other issue from the late 90's was the shooting/fundamentals was lacking and players were reliant on athleticism.
Totally agree. It seems like both teams score easily every time down court in the modern game. Back when basketball was beautiful to watch, players like Jordan had to fight through intense, physical defense to score. That made it beautiful. Now, the score is tied at the end of each quarter and it's just a matter of who has the basketball last
A matter of who has the last possession was a rare joke in both the NBA and the NFL, the times when it was a shootout, but not all the time - then, it loses value.
I stopped following the NBA after the Bad boys of the Detroit Pistons won their last championship. The NBA changed their rules basically eliminating the physical defenses of the past in order to promote a more offensive game.
Use to love watching the heated battles of the playoffs series in the 90’s with the Bulls against the Knicks, Pacers, Magic and the west with the Jazz, Rockets, Sonics, Lakers. Even it was still really good battles in the early 2000’s with the Lakers and the Kings, Lakers and the Spurs, Allen Iverson making a great run in the Eastern conference playoffs, the Pistons team with Billups, Rasheed, Ben Wallace, Hamilton and Prince. Even the Suns squad with Nash, Marion, Amare, and Joe Johnson. Definitely was a different excitement.
I sadly agree, and it's not even "hate" The game we grew up playing just doesn't exist anymore. I can only stomach the NBA during the playoffs anymore and that's harder. I only watch if I'm at someone else house that happens to have the game on or with family.
I think it's really interesting physical games have gotten less interesting in the age of computers. Like the level of stats we have available has pushed a monolithic style of play. In chess, that was the case when computers first came out, now they help players go for more interesting and diverse strategies than before. So I hope this happens for basketball too.
I went to watch a game of modern NBA in person (the Laker's Grizzlies game 3), its also the first time i've watched any NBA game since late 90s. Oh man did the game change. Centers shooting 3s, the lack of bodily contact, that feeling of every player was dancing ballet as opposed to playing ball. Man, i miss Kobe. Never again, waste of my time.
As kobe and barkley said here, the lack of any physical defense and every team being so devoted to the 3 has ruined the game in a lot of ways. Most teams now all play the same way. Space it out and hope you hit enough 3's to outlast the other team. It's become very predictable. There used to be a lot more variety to the game.
Guy gets the ball on the perimeter zero pressing just let him shoot the 3 they're professionals I'd expect with a non pressured shot they can all hit a 3 ... 30 year ago you got defenders with hands all over you elbows anything to stop the 3 ... Different game now
Man respect, I feel the same way! Todays NBA is just soft and sad, I hope we can get back to the wars we use to witness in the finals like when MJ23 was playing, those were WARS!
Hellya 1000% agree. Viewing from Detroit in the 80s and 90s was the best sports viewing I experienced ever! I'd definitely start watching NBA again if those players were playing today!
The NBA has turned into a glorified 3 pt contest and it's boring. I'm 37 and grew up on early 90s and early 2000s basketball and to me that was the golden era. The game was still very physical and defense oriented. You didn't see guys shooting 3s from the logo all game long. You seen actual offenses being ran and you seen coaches making adjustments. Now you just see who made the most 3 pt shots
@@sportsgamer2342 yea there great shooters no doudt but the game has turned into a practice u chuck half court show boat shit in the 90s ur gonna get dropped next time down the floor it's jst diffrent I'm not a fan others love it
I don't mind the modern playstyle. I mind the fact that they have given the offense a green light. They cleared out the key for slashers and they pull whistles on defenses steering smaller players. Either keep one or the other; any defender that is notable in this era would be absolutely incredible in the 90s and early 00s. By comparison, any offensive juggernaut today would probably be Mahmoud Abdoul Rauf or Mark Aguirre at best back then. I don't understand the need to give the offense everything. Make people earn their points.
It's like with any sports league in America these days. They claim Americans want to see offense offense offense. Not defence. So all the rules are towards more offense. *BUT IS THAT TRUE FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD??* The answer is no. Since the biggest sport on the Earth is Football, known in America as soccer. It's a sport that's built on defense where the offense has to earn those goals.
Do you remember the 2005 Finals between San Antonio and Detroit. Nobody watched and nobody cared who won. It wasn't exciting to anybody outside those 2 cities. The defence was awesome. Low scoring games that finished with both teams scoring in the 80s. The league felt like it needed to make the game more offensive, it needed to tip the scales in favor of the offense in the hopes of making the games more interesting and less boring. So they changed the rules and in the process created a different game. Its sad.
The key word you used is earn. "Make people earn their points." We now live in a society where earn is a dirty world. People are entitled to certain things. It isn't shocked that this mindset is creeping into sports as well. So no, players won't be earning their points like we want.
One thing is true and I don't care what the analytics says, the game is NOT about the FANS! Old school the tickets were affordable and you can actually bring a family of four without breaking the bank. In today's NBA you can't unless you're kids are grown with jobs and can afford they['re own tickets. I say that to say this; today's players don't care about what it takes and how much it cost for the average fan to attend a game. So, when they sit out it's an F.U. to all the fans.
Pistons & Spurs were my favorite teams last went to a Pistons game live around 2010. Live now only 25 miles from Spurs arena but will never go. I'm also done with NFL since Brady retired both sports are now a joke in so many ways. Way more love for the game & fans in pro hockey & baseball. Old school NBA all the way.
These old ass legends who were at the top of their game are not haters they're just right...Today's game is a glorified run and gun pickup game.. The only strategy seems to be make more 3's than the other team...
I grew up throughout all of the 80’s and 90’s, and the players and their drive were infectious. From around ‘86/‘87 until 1999, I was SO into basketball and the NBA. I was on all my teams, I watched it on TV, including shows about it like Inside Stuff, I collected basketball cards, I rode my bike miles just to shoot around at my local civic center, I had posters and other various accessories in my room, I played basketball video games, you name it. But around the end of the 90’s my passion completely fell off a cliff. Players just didn’t seem like they cared about the game itself; only about collecting a huge paycheck. And if they didn’t have more money than they even needed in 20 lifetimes? Well they just keep moving to the next team that would pay them more and more. No team loyalty like in the days of Bird, Magic, and Jordan. Which is not to say that players never switched teams then, but not like today. I recently went to a NBA game after over 20 years. Didn’t seem like much had changed honestly. And the arena was playing hip hop and rap music almost full volume during the actual play. That blew my mind, and was really distracting. Arenas used to play music during time outs, halftime, etc, but not right in the middle of gameplay. And this is getting to be across all sports now, but the amount of advertisements actually on the players’ uniforms is really stupid. There’s nothing wrong with having sponsors and having signs or some things up in or around the arena. But don’t plaster it ON the players like some NASCAR car. That’s too much and crossing the line. I hope that trend fades with time. I’d really like to be back into basketball. I do miss it. And to done extent some of these things are across all pro sports now. But I’ve been MUCH more into pro baseball the past 24 years than anything else. It still somehow feels more old school, traditional, and you don’t have to have a 20 second attention span to watch it. You can still have patience, and appreciate some of the history of the game.
Well said. I just watch highlights now because it is frustrating to sit through a game and see mostly threes or 5ft baskets. I'd love for the NBA to implement some rule changes that brings more defense back into the game and big man importance in the paint. I believe there would be more strategizing required as a result. Want to see more Chess than Checkers play.
Thanks for the honesty. I respect defense efforts and the best 80's and 90's teams that had great competition. The result of an enhanced D is tricky offensive game with posts, screens and running the floor. Do I miss the old days? I still look at old games even though I know the outcome because I admire the efforts, strategies and practice it takes to do the game right. God bless Magic, Bird, Michael, Kareem, Wilt and ALL THE OTHER GREATS. We miss you more than you know.
I feel like many things in society are "not as good as they were back..." It's like a "peak" was reached in say, the 90s, early 2000s, and then things just started to decline. Professional sports (the NBA in particular), music, civility, kindness, true artistic talent... I'm not trying to bash the things of today but there has been without a doubt a shift in how we do things. We as society have devised tools to make us more lazy. Note I didn't say, Tools that MAKE us more lazy. We created things TO make us more lazy. Lazy in our relationships, lazy in community, lazy in communication, lazy in learning, lazy in creating. There is a difference between BEING lazy and creating an environment of laziness. It is almost expected that you BE LAZY. We are rewarded for being lazy. People become wealthy and/or famous for being...lazy. That to me is part of this huge resurgence of nostalgia. Just my two cents.
I dont think this is the case at all. This is pure nostalgia. Like thats the only reason. Why am I so sure? Im 23 and I notice friends of mine of mine start to remember past events way better than they actually were. I see things as they are and I dont hate getting older or have this constant childhood nostalgia. The nba changed a lot over the years and it has turned off some fans. But there also people who became fans because of the way the game is played today. And all these old heads... what do you think players of today will say in 20-30 years? "Man my era was so shit" ofc not they will tell you the exact same things that past players do now about how everything was so much better back in their days.
I love the game of basketball period. I do get some of the complaints about today's game. To this day I'm a hardcore old school NBA fan. And I give super props to Sean David and his amazing channel. I introduced my nephew to watching the 1981 & 1982 NBA Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers. Need I remind everyone that he's a millennial and he was hooked to these series games. I simply told him I know it's over 40 years ago but let me show you how the old school NBA really put today's NBA on the map. My nephew loved every bit of the series, it's how we maintain a tremendous relationship together. To this day, I personally don't think any 7-game series compares to the battles the Sixers and Celtics displayed in those games. To this day, I appreciated watching those games while learning and playing the game of basketball. Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parrish, Danny Ainge, Julius Erving, Bobby Jones, Maurice Cheeks and of course, Andrew Toney. I couldn't believe the number of future Hall-of-Famers in those two back-to-back series which included amazing role players as well. Those Eastern Conference Finals were the main reasons I remain a fan of the game of basketball to this day.
The old nba teams always had an enforcer on the team.The guy who took up for every teammate. The Laimbeers,the Rodman,the Charles Oakley,Charles Barley,etc.I graduated in 88 and we watched every nba game .Never missed a minute of it growing up.I miss it. Thanks
Another thing that wasn't mentioned by any of the players or analysts in this video is that back in the 80s and 90s, we had real rivalries. What teams are rivals today? You don't really have a rivalry if a team only meets the other team once in a single playoff series and then they never play each other again any other year. Rivalries take time to build and it takes the same players on the same team to build up a hatred for the other team, because this player said that or this player did this. We have too many players leaving their squad, joining a new team, chasing after rings, chasing after "Being the man." And when you are selfish like that, then you're not really playing basketball. There is no sense that, "I'm going to war with these guys and I trust them to have my back." That was the sense I got when I watch Lakers vs. Celtics or Bulls vs. Pistons or Bulls vs. Knicks (when Ewing was there). Or even Knicks vs. Pacers. Or Knicks vs. Heat. Okay, let's just admit it that everyone hated to play the Knicks, LOL! Cuz the Knicks were the most physical team (after the decline of the Pistons), when they had Oakley, Mason, Ewing, Starks, etc. And then when they got Larry Johnson, that added more physicality to them. There is no team that is constructed based on the ideology that we will out defend you, out rebound you, and will try to deny their opponent on every possession. Nobody guards full court. No players says, "Coach, I want to guard the best player on the other team and I want to guard him full court, the entire game. I will make it my responsibility to stop him." And the last player to probably have that sort of mentality was Kobe. I would say that after Kobe retired, that was the end of an era that probably began the year Magic and Bird got drafted.
we don't have as many rivalies because the league is way more competitive. it used to be a few big market teams that could overspend and they would overspend every year. now we have teams like Milwaukee and Denver winning championships because of a stiffer luxury tax.
I 100% agree on the players nowadays not playing every game and load management crap but having to listen to GRANT HILL talk about it is fucking hilarious as a magic fan.
Everything I heard in this video and everything stated in the comments is 💯. I haven't enjoyed or watched NBA since my BAD BOYS! But like Shaq said, look at society as a whole now. SOFT WEAK
This video is on point!! I haven’t sat down and watched basketball, college or NBA because it isn’t quality anymore in my opinion. Kobe said it perfectly, it’s too much finesse, everyone shooting 3 pointers and not doing a very good job at it, except a select few. I really cannot stand watching it and haven’t in over 2 decades.
Just started watching basketball again. Live near Chicago and witnessed the Jordan and DRose era. I really enjoyed this postseason. Celtics couldn’t complete the comeback and Lakers didn’t have a chance. Jokic has talent that would work in any era. Modern players have skills, size and athleticism that I appreciate watching as a fan.
I have always complained about the amount of 3s being attempted. But lately (even though I am not much of a fan of basketball) I have been frustrated by the broke-down bodies. In the 90s and early 20s, you could have as many as 75 players play at least 80 regular season games. Nowadays, you are lucky to get 20 players play that much....even with the game geared to offense with physicality taken out and defenses handicapped. How can so many players get hurt just jacking up 3s most of the time?
push back the 3 point line to 25 feet. It's too easy at its current length, and at 25 feet you'll see less reliance on the 3 point shot as percentages from that range will decrease the incentive. Bring back hand checking to allow defenders a better chance of guarding on the perimeter. Remove zone defenses as well. Force man to man coverage to allow big man a chance to dominate. Unfortunately none of these things will happen, as the league is predicated on dollars, and young people are only interested in high scoring games with little defense.
Sean David, you seriously make the best videos on professional basketball since the days of buying VHS tapes, produced by NBA Entertainment, that I used to buy as a teen growing up in the 1980's. To put in perspective on how "soft" the game has become, consider this: In 1987, the Celtics were defending their title, and Kevin McHale, having the best season of his career and serious MVP candidate, BROKE his foot in playoffs. He could have sat right there and let it heal, but he couldn't do that. He continued to heroically play on it, averaging an astounding 27ppg., 10rbd, 2.5blk at 62%FG and 85%FT all the way to the Finals. The Celtics would fall to the Lakers in six, simply because they were using a six-man rotation and had NO BENCH to speak of...and their 1# pick, and future of the franchise, Len Bias...had died the previous June. To this day, McHale walks with a limp. That's greatest...and toughness. Well done, Sir!
Wow it's impressive too that he became the leader of the Celtics once bird retired so even as an injured sixth man, he ended up a leader of a team when teams were looking for their Robertson and Ewings.
Growing up in the 80's and 90's, I loved watching basketball. After about 2011 I found myself being less and less interested to the point where I can't even watch NBA games anymore. The game is nowhere near what it used to be. And all these big dudes shooting 3's, man get yo big ass back in the paint and bang that glass! Why you wouldn't want your big man in the paint grabbing rebounds is beyond me!
Yup...all leagues following the same "more offense" formula. -- which doesnt bring in more fans, but turns off the existing diehard ones. Idiots making these decisions.
As a young man, I would wait with anticipation to the next game I had tickets for at MSG. Watching the Knicks battle BOS, CHI, LA etc was an amazing experience. Then the 2000's rolled around. Haven't watched a game since.
As a teen I grew up in the inner city 80's - 90's (Chocolate City), my Bullets were a constant non-factor, so I pretty much rooted for great basketball. I didn't really care about the team as long as the game was beautiful. Each team, regardless of record brought a certain level of elegance that made you enjoyed the game. I'm talking about the un-sung unstoppable stars like George Gervin, Daryll Dawkins, Bernard King, Reggie Lewis, Vinny Johnson, Dominque, Alex English, Adrian Dantley, Moses, Kevin Johnson (under-rated big time), Drexler, Shawn Kemp, Larry Johnson, etc etc. I am sure there are similar players in the NBA today, but the game has become so overly-finessed, that too many players who are likely talented non-finesse athletes, are NOT playing to their strengths. As a result they are playing garbage ball. This is what's killing the game, and making it unwatchable. Definitely for me...
Facts!! Kemp attacked the rim and Gary would lock ya down!! Also when Kemp attacked the rim someone was gonna challenge the shit out of him. It was just aggressive basketball.
The NBA today needs someone to impact it greatly to bring back fan interest like Magic and Bird did in 1980,s but you will never see two guys like them ever again
I think I have a pretty good perspective on this subject. I was born in 1967. My first basketball heros were Connie Hawkins, Julius Erving and Kareem. By the time I was in middle school ( the early 80's) I saw a sea change in athleticism. Jordan was huge from the start at Carolina. Len Bias.... Ralph Sampson, Patrick Ewing and Hakeem ...those guys were so athletic and wasn't seen then. By the 90's the game became faster and even more athletic than before. Tracy McGrady... Kevin Garnett... Shaq! My goodness....those were 7 footers playing like small forwards. And as I saw the players get bigger....faster....stronger., the game HAD TO evolve into something different. And I will say this, I don't like ( or dislike) one era more than another. I love the GAME and I'm always intrigued ( if not amazed) what players can do now. My only complaint about the modern NBA is that it's just super SOFT. There is no more " battle of WILLS". It's now a battle of who-can-jack-up-a-three-faster. But even that, can be fun to watch....in context of the game and it's era.
“Position-less” basketball has made the NBA so watered down. It’s impressive to see these 6’10 + guys handle the ball and shoot don’t get me wrong. But I miss the days where there was an emphasis on specialization. From a viewing standpoint, It made the game much more vibrant imo.
The sad thing is that I should be enjoying today's NBA. It's great that everyone is finally learning how to shoot. I used to SMH every time that I see a pro brick a wide open jumper. Now when a rare post up does happen, the refs let a soft double team defender camp out in the post for 8 seconds so that he can just slide over 2 steps and shut it down completely. I haven't seen a 3 second violation called in months, and even then it's just one time in the game that made no sense and felt like the refs were using it to try and keep the game close. The worst part is that the refs don't let guys play defense any more. I know that the NBA wanted to improve scoring because there was some market research report that showed millennials don't watch the NBA because they are not excited by it. The lowest scoring basketball game at half time has more points on the board than the highest scoring NFL game of the entire season at the end of the game. Basketball is the highest scoring sport in the world by far. If millennials don't want to watch basketball because it's not exciting enough, let them go watch a baseball game where nobody scores for 2 hours. Or a football game where it takes 15 to 20 minutes for someone to score. Adam Silver, stop ruining the game because a generation of kids raised on the internet have ADD. It's not the games fault. These kids aren't real fans, never were, and never will be. If you want to get young people involved in the game, artificially inflated scoring numbers isn't the way to do it. Community out reach is. Teach these kids that the game is great at a young age. My step brother got me into the game when I was in the 7th grade. He told me how great Magic Johnson was and I saw one Laker game and I was hooked for life. If I'm watching a game with a kid today, and the kid says: "Why did that guy at the 3 point line fall down after shooting, and why is he getting to shoot freethrows?" I don't have a good answer for him. Stop it. Just stop it.
Just turned 50 and I quit watching pretty much all basketball about 10 years ago. I just watch the highlights and keep up with the scores. It’s virtually all ISO and 3 pointers. I stopped on a college game a few months back and told my wife “watch, it’s goin to be all 3pointers” and wouldn’t you know, 15 straight possessions, 13 three point attempts and 2 long 2 pointers. I understand why. With the percentage versus the reward, it makes more sense, but for a lot of us, it’s just boring.
Couldn’t agree more. I was a diehard Blazer fan from the 80’s & 90’s. Kept going until early 2010’s. Never liked inconsistent officiating & when super friends teams started becoming a thing, I was out. Today game looks like scrimmage & jump shooting contest to me personally, you couldn’t pay me to watch it. By late 2010’s started becoming a huge MLB fan. Stacked teams with epic payrolls routinely get steamrolled by small market or teams with smaller payrolls & I love it.
It's the rules. Now l saw a clip of Larry Bird going off on what he called old, broken down ex players hating on today's game. He's never been shy about preferring today's rules. Now I personally think elbows to the face isn't defense, BUT, the new hand check rule or everyone hanging out around the three point line ain't basketball either in my opinion. It's too easy to get shots off and it's boring. That's not the player's fault. I think the NBA needs to revisit the rules.
Of course he likes the new rules. Larry Bird would crush if he played now. Can't touch him? Bucket or assist every single time down the court...from anywhere. You take the Celtics and the Lakers from the 80s and put them into today's game and they would make everyone look silly. Their only issue would be fouling out until they got used to NOT playing defense like they do today.
@@rogerahier4750 Well yeah, but many players from that era would kill it in today's game, but they still don't like today's rules. Bird was fuckin PISSED talking about old players not liking today's game. Really pissed. It's on RUclips.
@@warrenbfeagins I don't doubt it at all. They were physical players. Bird was only physical when he had to be. Bird was not a physical defender. He was slapping balls and cutting off passing lanes. The physical players of the 80s would have a tough time adjusting to not playing physical defense. Not a problem for Bird. So, the newer rules would only help Bird with no detriment. Most of the other older guys would have to relearn how to play defense.
@@rogerahier4750 Well, solely physical defenders would have a problem, but the ones who weren't physical or were versatile defensively wouldn't and they don't like today's game. I don't either. It's boring. It's like watching a shoot around.
@@warrenbfeagins I don't even watch it much myself. I'm not saying I like it. I'm saying Bird likes it because it fits his playing style perfectly. Most others would have a huge adjustment to make.
The NBA hit it's peak in the late 80s early 90s. My favorite team was the Charlotte Hornets with Larry Johnson, Alonzo Mourning, Mugsy Bogues, Kendall Gill, Dell Curry... They never won or went to a championship but in today's game they'd have a great chance.
The Hornets giving the 72-10 Bulls their 9th loss of the season was one of my favorite regular season games ever. Regular season games never meant more
Great vid. I cringe looking at a lot of games man. They try to make u think big guys today can dribble when in fact they be carrying the ball a lot. So much traveling and carrying and touch foul calls. What makes it worse is that players today seem more about the money than really playing and improving they game.
Shaq Summed up this Era pretty well "I hate seeing OK Play being called Greatness"
Says a guy who half-assed most of his career, as he admitted, he was too lazy.
@@ShadowAngel-lt8nw Even Lazy Shaq had Greatness in him. Playing Half Assed most of his career in damn near every game of the season beats...the modern game of playing half assed but only playing 2/3rds of the season.
@@ShadowAngel-lt8nw He can play half assed in today's NBA and still dominate every big man in the game! That's facts. Who today would stop him??
@@ShadowAngel-lt8nw he would dominate ever so called big man today
@@ShadowAngel-lt8nw yall celebrating trash as greatness
Back in the 90s Sunday NBA games on NBC was must watch
💯 💯 💯
Now, you need 5 different tv packages just to be able to catch all of the games.
When I was growing up basketball used to be about the love and passion for the game, these days it’s mostly about money and pre-game fashion. Sad to see such shallowness from people.
I am 43 living in Spain. I remember back when I was 10 watching the one week game on TV with my brother from 2am to 5 or 6am. Those are the years I enjoyed the most watching a sport: magic, bird, bad boys, jordan,...real passion!
For sure my brother from Spain. bad boys fan here. It was forever getting past the Celtics than the Lakers before getting the back to backers
From Spain too. Sacramento Kings was our favorite team early 2000s. They made me love the game, but it is so changed today
Truth!!!
It's probably why no matter how hard I try NBA bores me and I can't follow it anymore, but back in the 90s, I was addicted.
Facts!!
@@j.m.flemmingii 80’s players were physical, todays players flop. Bunch of sissys. I’m even talking about my own 2023 Celtics team.
Same here
Because the competition seemed more fierce and real. Now it feels soulless.
90s NBA was a golden era. They need to go back to those rules and allow defenses to be physical again.
Living in Chicago during the ‘90s, I literally watched every Bulls game for 8 straight years. From that, to this? I’m with you brother.
There used to be wars in the NBA playoffs. Guys weren’t vacationing off season with players from other teams.
Now it’s all bloated salaries and bling.
I can’t watch an entire game anymore.
I also hate the pontification from uneducated sports stars . Just play the game dummy
Love of money has replaced love of the game, from management down to players.
Amen!!
Exactly, the biggest factor in my opinion...
Plain and simple! 👏👏
100%
Tru that. Aint nobody playing for free in there tho. I mean...those contracts are massive.
I grew up with late 80s and 90s basketball, there was nothing like it. The slogan for 90s basketball was “I love this game” and everyone did.
I tried watching a modern Bulls game recently, I couldn’t watch 5 minutes.
I liked the 80's slogan too "NBA Action, is Fantastic!"
The Modern NBA should be "NBA is....zzzzzz,"
I agree it's hard to watch today's NBA. I haven't watched a game nor highlight all season and don't miss it
It was 3 minutes for me, it was too garish. Maybe it's the loud colors, the commentators or even the camerawork, not just the rules.
The 70s were great also.
You are 100% on point & this game is so wishy washy now, that I honestly forgot how great of a slogan that really was & they have destroyed the All - Star Game altogether 🤦🏾♂️
@@marcuslittle4428 I was introduced to Basketball back then & Magic Johnson is my favorite player of all times ✌🏾👊🏾
The NBA of the late 80's and 90's was so gritty, tough, it was a battle of wills and the desire to win more than your opponents. Nowadays it feels like a shooting competition, nobody play D. It's a shame.
Nobody plays D because it's impossible. You get a foul for breathing too hard on the offensive player running to the hoop
Couldn't agree more.
And what is "D"?
Is that for defense? Haven't seen much of that in the last 20 years.
This soft AS NBA sucks. 🍻 Mate
Everybody is trying to copy the success of the 2015-2019 Warriors. Everybody has their copycat Steph & Klay duo, and a “heart and soul of the team” ripoff Draymond.
The last great series I seen that was extremely gritty and felt like a fight was going to break out at any minute was the Los Angeles Clippers vs Memphis Grizzlies from 2012. Go back and watch those games. That was great, hard-nosed basketball.
It is a glorified three point contest. Whoever made the most threes that night wins the game.
Man, I miss watching late 80’s - 90’s basketball. I feel blessed to have watched the greatness of Jordan, Malone, Barkley, Stockton, Magic, Bird, Shaq, Pippin, and on and on. They left everything they had on the court. You knew, even if they lost, they gave it everything and pushed for more.
Basketball just isn’t the same, and that might have been the last time that we will ever see a passionate generation, concerning the game of Basketball itself 🤦🏾♂️
@@shawnkincheloesr5192 I truly hope not, but I agree, that very well may be possible. The way they played the game then was really something to behold
That’s shit era no blood no foul , that’s MMA sports actually
@@joelvitasa1121 Yeah, but allowing them to play zone defense truly makes them weak as tap water 💦 and they never ever learn to man up & if a player like MJ played in this league right now today, he would average about 40 - 45 per game, and I am being modest with my numbers. Now players are so so cut up and athletic, that as soon as you touch them, they get injured or fall on the floor in pain ( Smh ) but it isn’t just Basketball that has been watered down, but Football as well.
The 1990s was probably one of the best decades ever.
I started watching the NBA again after a 20 year break. I honestly thought when I watched my first game again in 2021 that they had put covid restrictions in place to limit player contact. I didn't realize they had ruined the game with no hand checking. It really is a watered down version of the game I loved for so many years. And then on top of that seeing so many superstars not play all 82 games. It genuinely makes me sad. Not only for myself but for the younger generation that will never know how great the NBA used to be.
Thank you for your comment about today's NBA players not playing 82 games; ironically I recently wondered if 70s & 80s NBA players missed games like 21st century NBA players miss games: Khawhi, Simmons, etc. Aedin
Watch Euro Basketball. It's better than the NBA currently but nothings ever going to compare to the 80's/90's.
@@johannfaust1507 I'll Google Euro Basketball. Aedin
So when they say if Steph Curry is the best Point guard ever cause he dropped 50 against a Young inexperienced team who can’t play team defense in a game 7 it’s amazes me how these OLD HEADS ARE AGREEING WITH THE HORSE SCHITT NARRATIVE
I also stopped watching the NBA about 20 years ago. Just yesterday I tried watching a playoff game and it was so boring I had to keep fast forwarding through it with the DVR. And I used to love the NBA.
One thing that’s been really pissing me off lately is players not boxing out anymore. But then when they do box out (a good box out) they get called a foul like 70% of the time.
The game is robotic, people love seeing their favorite players being human and doing that extra thing that takes the level to the next level.
When I was still actively playing, I’m 40+ and I’d play against young guys. They’d argue with each other saying “guard him” r “stop him” n etc. it was funny bcuz they couldn’t figure out how to “stop” me. When all I was doing was getting offensive rebounds n putting back, so all they had to do was box out. But none of them knew it 😂😂.
I agree 100%. The NBA isn't what it used to be. It makes me sick to see how soft the game (and the players) have become. And yes, get the 7 footers back in the paint posting up and stop shooting 3's.
In the 80s and 90s the NBA was golden
Fact
I really can't blame them it do suck now
Early 2000s was great too. League definitely started changing for the worse when the illegal d and hand checking rules were changed.
Late 2000s shit take turn for the worse year after year ,NBA didn't wanted real PF and C which made everybody just run and shoot ,small ball with a lot of shooting and 3s all offence and no defence and now we have that soft brainless game
I will say this also, is that the 2,000 were pretty physical as well. It started changing in 2010
When I was a kid, we were all taught the very fundamentals of how to play. We were made to constantly run drills and I’m not talking about 1v1 or 3v3 drills. I’m talking dribbling drills, passing drills, footwork drills. We basically weren’t even allowed to scrimmage until we could do all of these basic things correctly. You saw these fundamentals being imprinted on all players, from the community/church leagues, high school, college and up into the NBA. People were taught and expected to use the basic, ubiquitous techniques, plays and strategies that had been developed over decades. Now when I watch professional players in the NBA, I see some very sloppy players with no technique. I see people making ridiculously bad passes. Players with very poor ball handling skills. Taking low percentage shots when they don’t need to. Missing layups 😂 its really, really disheartening. I’m not saying there aren’t skilled players. There obviously are many great players today, but when I see a lot of pros, I think it’s very obvious that there is very little emphasis on the fundamentals being taught to the younger generation. A lot of these pros would have never been signed in the time of Stockton,Malone, Robinson, Miller, Jordan, etc… that sloppy play would not fly in those days.
I miss the old school nba that game was so physical and old school center players were pure dominance
1983 NBA was Chuck Norris
2023 NBA is Pauly Shore
More like Dylan Mulvaney.
True story
@@mazdarx7head LMFAO!
Facts!
@@Jondsmusic No argument here! Thought that comment was awesome!😂
As long as Adam Silver continues to be the commissioner of the NBA, the league will continue to slowly die and it's sad and disappointing to witness this when remembering how great it use to be. David Stern was someone who understood what the fans appreciated and the players of the NBA took a lot of pride to want to play every game during those times. When enough time has passed, this era of the NBA today will not reflect well in the future.
It's true silver is not a good commissioner at all..the league hasn't been the same since the 90s
They do better numbers and views now than ever. What do you mean slowly dying lol.
@TheWillrocks51 During the MJ days, they averaged.3.1 million viewers a game...now it's at 1.5 million a game.. only things that have came close as far wise as viewership were the Heatles years with bron and Wade in Miami at around 2.5 million..as a matter of fact this last year was by far the worst year in viewership in the last 30 years. So they absolutely don't do better numbers now..not even close
@@copekillzz yeah, 1.5m live TV views. You understand that less than 20% of all views for any show come from TV now, right? You do understand the internet is out there, right? You do know of this?
@TheWillrocks51 even with the internet, that's just 100,000 or 200,000 extra views, so it doesn't make a difference. Idk where you made up that 20 percent number, but it's closer to 70 percent. There is no need to make up things to try to atone for your error.
I was born in 1980… so my era was late 80s/early 90s until the mid to late 2000s and even that was pushing it. When my favorite player finally retired in ‘05 the last guy i followed was prime DHoward on ORL and after he left and became something else then it ended right there. I’m sorry to say i get more enjoyment watching old school nba on RUclips then watching the current product.
Totally agree!
💯
I was born in 1977 and I pretty much feel the same way like you do! Take all star games for example! They were real games, where players actually played defense, and they would still score 130 points, or whatever, and still put on a helluva show! Whereas right now, all star games are easy dunks, three pointers, no defense and nothing else! And speaking of all star games, great players like Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, Shawn Kemp, Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Ray Allen, Ralph Sampson, D Howard etc would compete in the Slam Dunk Contest and even win it! While, this year's dunk contest was won by D Leaguer!
I was born July 1980 and I can relate. Remember the 90s before the strike? Saturday and Sunday would have games of the week with premier matchups like Pacers vs Knicks or Magic vs Bulls and so on
ruclips.net/video/XkvD4NlouPs/видео.html
The best nba show ever.
It’s gotten so bad with the current iteration of the league that I appreciate the pre-merger era even more today because the fundamentals and pure love of the game is evident. Sad to see the younger generation generally 45 and under simply write off the era as if Wilt, Russell, Elgin, Jerry West, Big O, Kareem, etc wasn’t obliterating the record books. Long live pre 2010’s NBA ⚰️🪦
Todays players are Wussy’s! Today It’s all about playing Horae and shooting 3 pointers. Players dont even want to play defense!! They had to legalize Zone defense. And god forbid you touch a person
None of those players in their prime could compete in today’s NBA. They all would come off the bench 🤣
@@yo3rdtier128 you shouldn't have hit enter.
Spoken like a true old head. I love old school players and even the times. Players have more control now than they ever did. Some legends are just salty they had no control over their own lives or decisions. Now you can sign a 4 year contract, play 1 year and then request a trade. What’s messed up is the media and fans applaud or support said player. Dude you signed the contract. I know you don’t have education but you got to know if you sign you’re agreeing to play. That’s my only gripe with todays NBA. Players bitch, kick and scream dragging their feet like little kids. Man up and ball or find another sport lol
@@yo3rdtier128 I think MJ would like to have a few words with you on that statement. MJ in his prime would be killing it because his game was drive the lane all day everyday, and played against players like Laimbeer, Mutumbo, Olajawon, Barkley, Ewing, and many other Hall of Famers. he went 6 times to the finals and won 6 titles and 6 Finals MVP's. Played all games accept in three seasons 2 for injuries and one when he first came back after retiring the first time. MJ would destroy the league just like he did back then, the numbers don't lie.
I agree with all of the presented facts and your sentiment, Sean.
I would add that the allergy to physical contact (i.e. free layups and uncontested distance shooting) has led to bloated scoring that really inflate scoring, to the point of diminishing each point scored. Yes, shooting has been more emphasized, and therefore, practiced to improve efficiency, but the lack of physicality makes each shot easier to take and comes at the expense of expending energy for defense.
Plus, the extremes of player movement and fraternizing has really taken the competitiveness out of the game in favor of recruiting future teammates. We don't necessarily need to see bad blood for rivalries, but the basic spirit of competitiveness is lacking today in all but rare instances (primarily with the international stars who didn't grow up in the AAU system).
70s, 80s, 90s, and early 2000s was hard basketball. I miss those years.
You left out the’60s
It was decent until the early 2010's. Defense was still played, mid-range and post players still were relevant...them the GS Warriors came with great shooters that other teams tried to mimic with their average shooters; in turn forgetting the defense, mid-range and post...
@@hyedefinition1080 decent ain’t great- close ain’t hitting-almost ain’t there -a chevy ain’t a Pontiac- a one hitter ain’t a no hitter-49 homers ain’t 50 & the neighbourhood play ain’t 2nd base……are you hearing me?
Oh yes...Today it is all about load stupid management...Live n die by the 3pts obsession😢Thats why in the highlights they never show the many misses..These playoffs arent good at all, too many injuries, NO DEFENSE....
dunno...u seem soft
I watched this to get a feel for what the NBA's like now. Haven't followed it in years; but recently watching some of our old Celtics games has made me miss it terribly. Now I know..."you can never go home again." I had a feeling it was all different now...less deep.
Kobe was the last of the warrior-minded nba athlete.
To kg
When JJ claimed the game was more physical today, I literally laughed out loud and immediately kept seeing which old school players were going to clown him.
JJ is delusional
I have tried to watch more matches post Malice in the Palace era, but it's like overall game strategy has gradually moved to the downtown zone. Sorry, but looking at long plays of ballers passing the balls around to get 3 points after 3 points is not entertaining to me. The key role of centers has greatly diminished over time and with it the spectacular character of the showdowns.
@Garlic Goblin Ziusudra the playoffs are a little better but honestly, watching the allstar game today is kind of like today's NBA taken to the extreme limit.
You can find full all star games from the 80s and yeah, they weren't playing anywhere near the physicality of 80s, 90s and early 00s but you can see guys trying to play defense, diving for balls etc. Was that stupid? Probably but it highlights the difference.
@@lancelindgren5655
Right!
JJ was an NBA Player who didn't receive a lot of fanfare, so he's using his current platform just to create "drama" , saying statements for attention
Perhaps he meant more physical as in running laps back and forth from hoop to faster than 30 years ago. But he'd still be wrong anyhow because in the 60's they ran back and forth faster than any era, like 5+ miles a game if you played 40 minutes.
I'm a Knicks fan, and I have to admit I haven't watched regularly since Sprewell was there. I'm following them today and it LITERALLY is a three point contest. No body posts up, and no smash mouth basketball to be had. Thank you for posting this because I thought It was just me. Long live old school basketball !
Greatest run we had to witness as knick fans latrell came out like MJ after that choking layoffs almost a 8 month suspension and unrusted in front of our eyes throughout the season what a run that was
What a great history of some great knick teams
Stopped watching fo years too. Just ain't the same Knicks was my team too. Football is next.
@@nardybynature266 I tapped out after eli got his first ring! And I hated the jets
These players are a bunch of putos! I was a die hard Knick fan but once the players started getting more of the say- game over. These superstars make hundreds of millions of dollars and miss half a season then they are in the playoffs and will play until they get tired. Generation of the puto. And I don’t watch it anymore. NBA sucks
This video nails it. I've lost all interest in regular season basketball, and even the playoffs lack the level of competitiveness and intensity that once made the game great. Love Kobe's quote here, sums it up perfectly. It's no longer a smashmouth league.
I don't usually comment, but I felt like I had to say something. I am in total agreement with you guys. I grew up as a hardcore Laker fan in the Magic Johnson era, and I am really disappointed with the way the NBA has gone.
30 yr laker fan…refuse to watch. They’re in the playoffs…normally I’d be glued to the reporting, the game, the pregame etc….now could care less.
I am so glad that you put the Kobe Bryant clip up there because that really says a lot because Kobe was even complaining about how weak the league is during his time in the league and it was still a little bit physical at that time. Just imagine what he would say now, this league is terrible and I reiterate Adam Silver is the worst commissioner in history and I’m talking about in any sport.
Today's NBA is unwatchable.
it’s quite soft 😬
The WNBA is worse
So is MLB
I only watch the highlights, when play in/offs comes around it gets pretty exciting
Ya, I'm mid 20s and grew up playing old school ball. Watching NBA now makes me wanna pull my hair out, I hate it so much.
For me it all boils down to zero D and extremely short player tenure at franchises.
The carrying, illegal screens, traveling and crying over contact don't help either, but the first two are deal killers.
Seriously, they hand cuff defenders with rule changes AND allow the offender to carry the ball WHILE taking 3 steps.
How do you guard against that??
I cringe at todays defense 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Growing up in the 80s and the 90s I miss it that was real basketball.
Grew up loving basketball and the NBA. Nowadays, I seldom watch a game on anywhere. Love love the 80s and 90s NBA!
Thank you for this video, Sean! I thought I was the only one. Unfortunately, I don’t watch the NBA at all anymore. That statement alone is astonishing because I grew up with the NBA on TV every night! my father was a big NBA fan and ball player himself, so there was nothing else on TV in the evening, but basketball. And to put the cherry on top, I grew up in Chicagoland, so I grew up with Michael Jordan, in my city and on television every night, what a joy 🤩
You can't not watch any more and an opinion. If you're a vegetarian, you can't have an opinion on the best steak house.
you not the only one, born in the 90's and loved physical basketball. 80's, 90's early 2000's was some of the best basketball ever.
@@nulref575 GFY children should shut up and learn from their betters.
I lived in chicago for the final 2 championships and was lucky enough to sit along the baseline in row 5 and saw MJ float along the baseline, pure poetry, no one before him or since has been able to float like he did.
1980-2005 was the best era of the NBA. The lack of defense makes, soft players, pushing politics, game management of player time, shooting a low percentage shot with 20 seconds on the shot clock, lack of ball movement utilizing passing and tactics and many more makes the modern NBA unwatchable.
It’s the same here with rugby league here in Australia, so much toughness is whistled out of the game and I think it’s with most sports now, just a watered down version of epic games they could be
@@eccawarrior Completely agree with basketball. But isn't there was a document about rugby player got long term brain problem due to so many tackle leading to suicide?
@@cynt4416 yeah it was Paul Green, I do understand some of the stuff banned but other things is just ridiculous, it doesn’t help with the obvious bias of teams have ruined the game also
Amen
Id say a few years earlier...the Tainted Lakers Era when Donnelly was shaving points as a Ref and when the NBA as a whole fucked over the Timberwolves in that Conference Finals against them....I couldn't stand watching the NBA for years after that bullshit.
As a hockey player really enjoyed watching Jordan, Pippen, Magic, Bird, Stockton, Dr J , Barkley and really enjoyed Kobe as well. Playing hockey in 80s 90s I feel the same about today’s NHL soft as baby sh it
Oh wow NHL is bad too these days?
I haven't heard that before
I feel the same way. I also don't like this team jumping . Great players usually are loyal to their fans and team, well at least in the old days.
I’m glad you said that!!! It makes me sick. Switch teams like changing underwear!!! Cities embraced their players back then and didn’t turn their backs. Now a player has a few bad games and they get booed. Then want to be traded to play with some other phony star!!🤮🤮
curry, Lillard, giannis, luka?
100% agree. Today's NBA is shallow. Its a mere shadow of what it used to be. I watch it and keep up with it in the hopes of recapturing something that I used to have.
"Like the dew on the mountain, Like the foam on the river, Like the bubble on the fountain, Thou art gone, and for ever!"
-Sir Walter Scott
I agree 100%. Every single NBA game today is basically a 3 point shot contest.
What kills me is that Chicago often tries to play Old School ball, but they get punished for it. Zach Lavine plays like Scottie Pippen in an Era where that style of play isn't rewarded. And because his style is so 90's dominant, he doesn't get calls that keep New School teams in contention. Sad. They PUNISH old school ballers. Giannis too, and Gobert.
They should bring in a 1v1 Allstars comp. Watch all these 'superstars' get exposed when they actually have to create their own shots
Its good to see the gratitude towards the fan experience from the old schoolers!
I used to love watching basketball back in late 90s early 2000s. Nothing will ever beat the 03 pistons putting on an absolute Clinic on defence and hustle. That team made me play strictly defensive positions in all sports. Yeah offence is flashy but when you stuff someone the real boys know.
They did play like this during the 80s and 90s, it was called an all-star game. No defense, no hard fouls, no effort, and nobody took losing seriously. The problem now its an all-star game every night minus the all-stars.
Watch the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s all star games again, and you'll change your mind. Because they they would actually play defense, and would still score 130 points or whatever, and give us a great show at the same time! All-star games back then were like regular games! Now it's a a no D 3 point chuckathon, a dunkathon and nothing else!
Ill split the difference. I remember the 1st quarter or 2 of all star games being pretty free form, but the 2nd halfs were usually tougher D being played.
Nah, an all star game in the 20th century was a typical game , played just as hard as regular season (eventually) ,just with better players . All star competition was hardcore
Excellent point!! Agreed.
NO THEY PLAYED HARD IN THE ALLSTAR GAME KID
I think that there’s virtually no defense or defensive strategy anymore. The open play and the euro step makes getting to the rim virtually a cakewalk. Getting a charge called is rare as well. Though I’ve seen some serious hits with players hitting the floor hard. Dunks are so common now the if it’s not a three its a dunk. I do still watch the highlights of most games.
Makes sense why you think that if you only watch the highlights.
@@especiallyabsent oh ok explain the high basketball iq these professional basketball players have ??
It’s actually way easier to draw a charge now than before. Before the league expected guys to try to block shots instead of rewarding them for sliding in front of drivers at the last second
When I discuss the way basketball was played in the 80's and 90's with the 20 & 30 somethings at my job, I try to articulate EVERYTHING these guys in this video said. NOW I have the perfect video for these punks to watch and see the greats of the game agreeing 1000% with every word! This is fantastic!
just a bunch of jealous has beens wishing they still had it.
@@whatisahandle_69 The modern game sucks and everything from attendance counts to TV ratings prove it.
@@generalkayoss7347 basketball is more popular than ever lol...what are you talking about?
@@andrewzembar3869 Nah
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Finals_television_ratings
90 basketball was the pinnacle we was lucky to witness the greatest era ever
80s was amazing too. Magic and Bird rara was golden.
90s was the era of expansion, teams could only lock down 7 players the best teams were 9 and 10 deep... Your welcome
80’s but got better beginning late 80’s into 90’s.
80s was the best…. Watching lakers vs Celtics. The ball movement, the passing, the fast breaks….. artistry in action. It was just beautiful to watch. There was a certain amount of selflessness in the game even tho there were dominant stars. 90s were great too, so I’m not taking away from that. It was also great basketball to watch.
late 70s through 90s was all good. I quit watching around 2010 and only tuned in a little when the raptors made the finals.
The intensity of an all star game from 80’s-90’s is way stronger than any nba finals today.
😂👍
The Modern All Star game the Commissioner literally have to beg the players to compete
no
I never watch the NBA any more. 3 points, fast break, no strategy, no plays, no defense. College is going that way. Too bad.
It wasn't just MJ who could play - EVERYBODY could play. That's why MJ was so popular - he was surrounded by several people on other teams who could play. The Dream Team 92 was exactly that. A DREAM team.
Yes it was! That was a DREAM TEAM in every sense of the word.
cause all those guys in the 90s could shoot 3s and finish on both sides of the rims.
Think of it like this. If Allen Iverson crossed up MJ, what do you think Kyrie would do to him?
@@jjjjjjaylon lmao AI wasn't a complete player but his crossover is the best of all time
@@onmywayup94 dude you are not old enough to even make that statement.
And Prime MJ was the 3rd option on the Dream Time, for what that's worth. And for good reason, because Barkley played out of his mind, and Malone was most of the time the better scoring option and matchup. But yea, tells you how stacked 80's and 90's NBA was. The guy who was hands-down the best player on the best team ever assembled that summer - the Barkley on the Dream Team - never won a ring in the NBA.
The 90s were the Golden Days of the NBA!!!!
80s were the pinnacle,but the 90s had peak Jordan.Nobody could compete with the Bulls
@@dontnonowuno9953 yup the Bulls dynasty of the 90s they could have won 8 in a row maybe if Jordan didn’t decide to play baseball or golf 🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️
@@kennythai78 would of at least loved to see them play that prime Hakeem Olajowan team in Houston that won two in a row before injuries and age caught up to them when Jordan came back.Would of been their biggest challenge of all the teams they went thru
The 90's were the Golden Days
@Bread And Circuses not until after 98 lockout. 91, 92, 93 not soft at all.
The lack of defense is real. Putting up 140 pts in the 90’s would’ve needed a triple OT game get close
I don't watch the NBA anymore. Haven't for many years. But back when I used to watch it, the game, made you watch it. It drew you in. It made you want to go get a basketball and play some serious hoops. It was inspiring. This was during the 70s, 80s, and 90s. I loved basketball so much. I can't even watch it now. I've tried.
Same thing with baseball horrible to watch
You too? 😂
Yes, inspiring, wanting to go to the basketball courts yourself - but then keeping an eye on the time so the actual game isn't missed, say the NBA on NBC. Now, not so much.
I haven't watched since the 90s. I agree with the soft NBA wossies
Man I grew up watching the NBA in the 80's and 90's. I think this era is a fun to watch, better than the late 90's where the Jazz scored 54 in a NBA Finals game. Great as Jordan was for the league , it created this horrible hangover effect of playing isolation ball. Part of the other issue from the late 90's was the shooting/fundamentals was lacking and players were reliant on athleticism.
Totally agree. It seems like both teams score easily every time down court in the modern game. Back when basketball was beautiful to watch, players like Jordan had to fight through intense, physical defense to score. That made it beautiful. Now, the score is tied at the end of each quarter and it's just a matter of who has the basketball last
A matter of who has the last possession was a rare joke in both the NBA and the NFL, the times when it was a shootout, but not all the time - then, it loses value.
I stopped following the NBA after the Bad boys of the Detroit Pistons won their last championship. The NBA changed their rules basically eliminating the physical defenses of the past in order to promote a more offensive game.
Use to love watching the heated battles of the playoffs series in the 90’s with the Bulls against the Knicks, Pacers, Magic and the west with the Jazz, Rockets, Sonics, Lakers. Even it was still really good battles in the early 2000’s with the Lakers and the Kings, Lakers and the Spurs, Allen Iverson making a great run in the Eastern conference playoffs, the Pistons team with Billups, Rasheed, Ben Wallace, Hamilton and Prince. Even the Suns squad with Nash, Marion, Amare, and Joe Johnson. Definitely was a different excitement.
But it was teams like those Suns that birthed the 3-pt. explosion and the death of the center position. Otherwise, I'm mostly with you.
I sadly agree, and it's not even "hate" The game we grew up playing just doesn't exist anymore. I can only stomach the NBA during the playoffs anymore and that's harder. I only watch if I'm at someone else house that happens to have the game on or with family.
I think it's really interesting physical games have gotten less interesting in the age of computers. Like the level of stats we have available has pushed a monolithic style of play. In chess, that was the case when computers first came out, now they help players go for more interesting and diverse strategies than before. So I hope this happens for basketball too.
I went to watch a game of modern NBA in person (the Laker's Grizzlies game 3), its also the first time i've watched any NBA game since late 90s. Oh man did the game change. Centers shooting 3s, the lack of bodily contact, that feeling of every player was dancing ballet as opposed to playing ball. Man, i miss Kobe. Never again, waste of my time.
Lazy on defense
As kobe and barkley said here, the lack of any physical defense and every team being so devoted to the 3 has ruined the game in a lot of ways. Most teams now all play the same way. Space it out and hope you hit enough 3's to outlast the other team. It's become very predictable. There used to be a lot more variety to the game.
Guy gets the ball on the perimeter zero pressing just let him shoot the 3 they're professionals I'd expect with a non pressured shot they can all hit a 3 ... 30 year ago you got defenders with hands all over you elbows anything to stop the 3 ... Different game now
Man respect, I feel the same way! Todays NBA is just soft and sad, I hope we can get back to the wars we use to witness in the finals like when MJ23 was playing, those were WARS!
yep
Hellya 1000% agree. Viewing from Detroit in the 80s and 90s was the best sports viewing I experienced ever! I'd definitely start watching NBA again if those players were playing today!
The NBA has turned into a glorified 3 pt contest and it's boring. I'm 37 and grew up on early 90s and early 2000s basketball and to me that was the golden era. The game was still very physical and defense oriented. You didn't see guys shooting 3s from the logo all game long. You seen actual offenses being ran and you seen coaches making adjustments. Now you just see who made the most 3 pt shots
Cause non of those guys can hit the shots like they do today.
finnaly smeone said...zero defense three point contest....WAK
@@gio1985s guy hits half court shots so does Damian Lillard, trey young etc. gotta hand it to them those are crazy shots that they make
@@sportsgamer2342 yea there great shooters no doudt but the game has turned into a practice u chuck half court show boat shit in the 90s ur gonna get dropped next time down the floor it's jst diffrent I'm not a fan others love it
lmao, troll
I don't mind the modern playstyle. I mind the fact that they have given the offense a green light.
They cleared out the key for slashers and they pull whistles on defenses steering smaller players. Either keep one or the other; any defender that is notable in this era would be absolutely incredible in the 90s and early 00s. By comparison, any offensive juggernaut today would probably be Mahmoud Abdoul Rauf or Mark Aguirre at best back then. I don't understand the need to give the offense everything. Make people earn their points.
It's like with any sports league in America these days. They claim Americans want to see offense offense offense. Not defence. So all the rules are towards more offense.
*BUT IS THAT TRUE FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD??*
The answer is no. Since the biggest sport on the Earth is Football, known in America as soccer. It's a sport that's built on defense where the offense has to earn those goals.
Do you remember the 2005 Finals between San Antonio and Detroit. Nobody watched and nobody cared who won. It wasn't exciting to anybody outside those 2 cities. The defence was awesome. Low scoring games that finished with both teams scoring in the 80s. The league felt like it needed to make the game more offensive, it needed to tip the scales in favor of the offense in the hopes of making the games more interesting and less boring. So they changed the rules and in the process created a different game. Its sad.
The key word you used is earn.
"Make people earn their points."
We now live in a society where earn is a dirty world. People are entitled to certain things. It isn't shocked that this mindset is creeping into sports as well.
So no, players won't be earning their points like we want.
@@jlc2 How do those viewing figures compare to today's finals?
@@Zoroaster1996Ratings aren't high in today's game either but they'll say it's bc of online viewership & streaming
I haven't watched an NBA game for a long time. In the 80s and 90s, I would never miss a game...
One thing is true and I don't care what the analytics says, the game is NOT about the FANS! Old school the tickets were affordable and you can actually bring a family of four without breaking the bank. In today's NBA you can't unless you're kids are grown with jobs and can afford they['re own tickets. I say that to say this; today's players don't care about what it takes and how much it cost for the average fan to attend a game. So, when they sit out it's an F.U. to all the fans.
Spot on with this comment!
Pistons & Spurs were my favorite teams last went to a Pistons game live around 2010. Live now only 25 miles from Spurs arena but will never go. I'm also done with NFL since Brady retired both sports are now a joke in so many ways. Way more love for the game & fans in pro hockey & baseball. Old school NBA all the way.
Simple solution don’t go to the games watch it on TV can get better views
These old ass legends who were at the top of their game are not haters they're just right...Today's game is a glorified run and gun pickup game.. The only strategy seems to be make more 3's than the other team...
I grew up throughout all of the 80’s and 90’s, and the players and their drive were infectious. From around ‘86/‘87 until 1999, I was SO into basketball and the NBA. I was on all my teams, I watched it on TV, including shows about it like Inside Stuff, I collected basketball cards, I rode my bike miles just to shoot around at my local civic center, I had posters and other various accessories in my room, I played basketball video games, you name it. But around the end of the 90’s my passion completely fell off a cliff. Players just didn’t seem like they cared about the game itself; only about collecting a huge paycheck. And if they didn’t have more money than they even needed in 20 lifetimes? Well they just keep moving to the next team that would pay them more and more. No team loyalty like in the days of Bird, Magic, and Jordan. Which is not to say that players never switched teams then, but not like today. I recently went to a NBA game after over 20 years. Didn’t seem like much had changed honestly. And the arena was playing hip hop and rap music almost full volume during the actual play. That blew my mind, and was really distracting. Arenas used to play music during time outs, halftime, etc, but not right in the middle of gameplay. And this is getting to be across all sports now, but the amount of advertisements actually on the players’ uniforms is really stupid. There’s nothing wrong with having sponsors and having signs or some things up in or around the arena. But don’t plaster it ON the players like some NASCAR car. That’s too much and crossing the line. I hope that trend fades with time. I’d really like to be back into basketball. I do miss it. And to done extent some of these things are across all pro sports now. But I’ve been MUCH more into pro baseball the past 24 years than anything else. It still somehow feels more old school, traditional, and you don’t have to have a 20 second attention span to watch it. You can still have patience, and appreciate some of the history of the game.
Well said. I just watch highlights now because it is frustrating to sit through a game and see mostly threes or 5ft baskets. I'd love for the NBA to implement some rule changes that brings more defense back into the game and big man importance in the paint. I believe there would be more strategizing required as a result. Want to see more Chess than Checkers play.
I love 80s and 90s basketball, there are no rivalry
That's because of LeBron always wanting to team up with his competition instead of embracing it.
@@wizzerwiser2056the actual fuck are u talking about. Lebron faced the fucking warriors for 4 years straight in the finals.
Thanks for the honesty. I respect defense efforts and the best 80's and 90's teams that had great competition. The result of an enhanced D is tricky offensive game with posts, screens and running the floor. Do I miss the old days? I still look at old games even though I know the outcome because I admire the efforts, strategies and practice it takes to do the game right. God bless Magic, Bird, Michael, Kareem, Wilt and ALL THE OTHER GREATS. We miss you more than you know.
Your personal take is 💯! I hate that I can’t watch todays NBA because it was everything to me in the 90’s until 2008.
I feel like many things in society are "not as good as they were back..." It's like a "peak" was reached in say, the 90s, early 2000s, and then things just started to decline. Professional sports (the NBA in particular), music, civility, kindness, true artistic talent... I'm not trying to bash the things of today but there has been without a doubt a shift in how we do things. We as society have devised tools to make us more lazy. Note I didn't say, Tools that MAKE us more lazy. We created things TO make us more lazy. Lazy in our relationships, lazy in community, lazy in communication, lazy in learning, lazy in creating. There is a difference between BEING lazy and creating an environment of laziness. It is almost expected that you BE LAZY. We are rewarded for being lazy. People become wealthy and/or famous for being...lazy. That to me is part of this huge resurgence of nostalgia. Just my two cents.
I dont think this is the case at all. This is pure nostalgia. Like thats the only reason. Why am I so sure? Im 23 and I notice friends of mine of mine start to remember past events way better than they actually were. I see things as they are and I dont hate getting older or have this constant childhood nostalgia. The nba changed a lot over the years and it has turned off some fans. But there also people who became fans because of the way the game is played today. And all these old heads... what do you think players of today will say in 20-30 years? "Man my era was so shit" ofc not they will tell you the exact same things that past players do now about how everything was so much better back in their days.
@@alexandermeiering5216 Thanks for your post, Alexander
I love the game of basketball period. I do get some of the complaints about today's game. To this day I'm a hardcore old school NBA fan. And I give super props to Sean David and his amazing channel. I introduced my nephew to watching the 1981 & 1982 NBA Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers. Need I remind everyone that he's a millennial and he was hooked to these series games. I simply told him I know it's over 40 years ago but let me show you how the old school NBA really put today's NBA on the map. My nephew loved every bit of the series, it's how we maintain a tremendous relationship together. To this day, I personally don't think any 7-game series compares to the battles the Sixers and Celtics displayed in those games. To this day, I appreciated watching those games while learning and playing the game of basketball. Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parrish, Danny Ainge, Julius Erving, Bobby Jones, Maurice Cheeks and of course, Andrew Toney. I couldn't believe the number of future Hall-of-Famers in those two back-to-back series which included amazing role players as well. Those Eastern Conference Finals were the main reasons I remain a fan of the game of basketball to this day.
The old nba teams always had an enforcer on the team.The guy who took up for every teammate. The Laimbeers,the Rodman,the Charles Oakley,Charles Barley,etc.I graduated in 88 and we watched every nba game .Never missed a minute of it growing up.I miss it.
Thanks
Another thing that wasn't mentioned by any of the players or analysts in this video is that back in the 80s and 90s, we had real rivalries. What teams are rivals today? You don't really have a rivalry if a team only meets the other team once in a single playoff series and then they never play each other again any other year. Rivalries take time to build and it takes the same players on the same team to build up a hatred for the other team, because this player said that or this player did this. We have too many players leaving their squad, joining a new team, chasing after rings, chasing after "Being the man." And when you are selfish like that, then you're not really playing basketball. There is no sense that, "I'm going to war with these guys and I trust them to have my back."
That was the sense I got when I watch Lakers vs. Celtics or Bulls vs. Pistons or Bulls vs. Knicks (when Ewing was there). Or even Knicks vs. Pacers. Or Knicks vs. Heat. Okay, let's just admit it that everyone hated to play the Knicks, LOL! Cuz the Knicks were the most physical team (after the decline of the Pistons), when they had Oakley, Mason, Ewing, Starks, etc. And then when they got Larry Johnson, that added more physicality to them. There is no team that is constructed based on the ideology that we will out defend you, out rebound you, and will try to deny their opponent on every possession. Nobody guards full court. No players says, "Coach, I want to guard the best player on the other team and I want to guard him full court, the entire game. I will make it my responsibility to stop him." And the last player to probably have that sort of mentality was Kobe. I would say that after Kobe retired, that was the end of an era that probably began the year Magic and Bird got drafted.
we don't have as many rivalies because the league is way more competitive. it used to be a few big market teams that could overspend and they would overspend every year. now we have teams like Milwaukee and Denver winning championships because of a stiffer luxury tax.
Free agency changed that. Who's Lebron playing for this year?
I totally agree with you my man!!
EVERYTHING you said is how I feel!!!
Thank you 👍🏽
I 100% agree on the players nowadays not playing every game and load management crap but having to listen to GRANT HILL talk about it is fucking hilarious as a magic fan.
I feel the same way. My life used to revolve around the NBA schedule, now the NBA has become completely unwatchable
Nah you grew up
Nope the game is trash @@monkeydavefraud
Everything I heard in this video and everything stated in the comments is 💯. I haven't enjoyed or watched NBA since my BAD BOYS! But like Shaq said, look at society as a whole now. SOFT WEAK
Sensitivity is supposed to be a good thing, to increase it; they're making it into a bad thing.
This video is on point!! I haven’t sat down and watched basketball, college or NBA because it isn’t quality anymore in my opinion. Kobe said it perfectly, it’s too much finesse, everyone shooting 3 pointers and not doing a very good job at it, except a select few. I really cannot stand watching it and haven’t in over 2 decades.
80's - 90's NBA was the pinnacle of the sport no question.
You had to be a top tier player to get paid back then. Now, everyone is getting paid, and some are getting Forbes list money.
@@ericbutler739 And personality wise the players were so much more interesting and memorable. Everyone does and says the same shit now.
The Late 1970s set up the Golden Era…the ABA really gave the NBA a creative jolt.
@@jumbothompson It's all because of social media. That's the worst invention in humankind after the atomic bomb.
Just started watching basketball again. Live near Chicago and witnessed the Jordan and DRose era. I really enjoyed this postseason. Celtics couldn’t complete the comeback and Lakers didn’t have a chance. Jokic has talent that would work in any era. Modern players have skills, size and athleticism that I appreciate watching as a fan.
I have always complained about the amount of 3s being attempted. But lately (even though I am not much of a fan of basketball) I have been frustrated by the broke-down bodies. In the 90s and early 20s, you could have as many as 75 players play at least 80 regular season games. Nowadays, you are lucky to get 20 players play that much....even with the game geared to offense with physicality taken out and defenses handicapped. How can so many players get hurt just jacking up 3s most of the time?
Shaq is a great ambassador to The Game heading into an era where it's easy to forget.
push back the 3 point line to 25 feet. It's too easy at its current length, and at 25 feet you'll see less reliance on the 3 point shot as percentages from that range will decrease the incentive. Bring back hand checking to allow defenders a better chance of guarding on the perimeter. Remove zone defenses as well. Force man to man coverage to allow big man a chance to dominate.
Unfortunately none of these things will happen, as the league is predicated on dollars, and young people are only interested in high scoring games with little defense.
That 2 step backwards after you stop dribbling, got me all messed up!🤦🏾♂️🤨 Definitely not like the 90’s!
Right! I don't care what the younger generation says. That's a travel! And don't get me started on the gather step either🤦🏻♂️
@@davidsantos4870 I 100% agree!!! I put a lot of blame on the referees
Traveling/walking...... pack a bag before you go that distance!
Sean David, you seriously make the best videos on professional basketball since the days of buying VHS tapes, produced by NBA Entertainment, that I used to buy as a teen growing up in the 1980's. To put in perspective on how "soft" the game has become, consider this: In 1987, the Celtics were defending their title, and Kevin McHale, having the best season of his career and serious MVP candidate, BROKE his foot in playoffs. He could have sat right there and let it heal, but he couldn't do that. He continued to heroically play on it, averaging an astounding 27ppg., 10rbd, 2.5blk at 62%FG and 85%FT all the way to the Finals. The Celtics would fall to the Lakers in six, simply because they were using a six-man rotation and had NO BENCH to speak of...and their 1# pick, and future of the franchise, Len Bias...had died the previous June. To this day, McHale walks with a limp. That's greatest...and toughness. Well done, Sir!
That a fool walk with a limp !
Wow it's impressive too that he became the leader of the Celtics once bird retired so even as an injured sixth man, he ended up a leader of a team when teams were looking for their Robertson and Ewings.
@@shermanw711 We found it!! Kawai Leonard's burner account!!! 🙄🙄🙄
Growing up in the 80's and 90's, I loved watching basketball. After about 2011 I found myself being less and less interested to the point where I can't even watch NBA games anymore. The game is nowhere near what it used to be. And all these big dudes shooting 3's, man get yo big ass back in the paint and bang that glass! Why you wouldn't want your big man in the paint grabbing rebounds is beyond me!
To be great in the 80’s and 90’s meant you were legendary!🏀
I felt this way about the NBA for over 20 years now and I feel the same way about the NFL also
Yup...all leagues following the same "more offense" formula. -- which doesnt bring in more fans, but turns off the existing diehard ones. Idiots making these decisions.
MLB and NHL is the best fk the rest.
As a young man, I would wait with anticipation to the next game I had tickets for at MSG. Watching the Knicks battle BOS, CHI, LA etc was an amazing experience. Then the 2000's rolled around. Haven't watched a game since.
As a teen I grew up in the inner city 80's - 90's (Chocolate City), my Bullets were a constant non-factor, so I pretty much rooted for great basketball. I didn't really care about the team as long as the game was beautiful. Each team, regardless of record brought a certain level of elegance that made you enjoyed the game. I'm talking about the un-sung unstoppable stars like George Gervin, Daryll Dawkins, Bernard King, Reggie Lewis, Vinny Johnson, Dominque, Alex English, Adrian Dantley, Moses, Kevin Johnson (under-rated big time), Drexler, Shawn Kemp, Larry Johnson, etc etc. I am sure there are similar players in the NBA today, but the game has become so overly-finessed, that too many players who are likely talented non-finesse athletes, are NOT playing to their strengths. As a result they are playing garbage ball.
This is what's killing the game, and making it unwatchable. Definitely for me...
Agreed, I grew up watching Payton and Kemp, Kemp murdered the rim, Payton stood tall and played....wait for it, its rare. Defence. I like Lillard.
Facts!! Kemp attacked the rim and Gary would lock ya down!! Also when Kemp attacked the rim someone was gonna challenge the shit out of him. It was just aggressive basketball.
I thought Basketball in the 90's was Thug Ball. It was not like that in the 1970's which I consider the Golden Age of Basketball
The NBA today needs someone to impact it greatly to bring back fan interest like Magic and Bird did in 1980,s but you will never see two guys like them ever again
They are trying hard with LBJ.
@@deihorus7927 But LeBron can,t play forever
I think I have a pretty good perspective on this subject. I was born in 1967. My first basketball heros were Connie Hawkins, Julius Erving and Kareem. By the time I was in middle school ( the early 80's) I saw a sea change in athleticism. Jordan was huge from the start at Carolina. Len Bias.... Ralph Sampson, Patrick Ewing and Hakeem ...those guys were so athletic and wasn't seen then. By the 90's the game became faster and even more athletic than before. Tracy McGrady... Kevin Garnett... Shaq! My goodness....those were 7 footers playing like small forwards. And as I saw the players get bigger....faster....stronger., the game HAD TO evolve into something different. And I will say this, I don't like ( or dislike) one era more than another. I love the GAME and I'm always intrigued ( if not amazed) what players can do now. My only complaint about the modern NBA is that it's just super SOFT. There is no more " battle of WILLS". It's now a battle of who-can-jack-up-a-three-faster. But even that, can be fun to watch....in context of the game and it's era.
The only good take on this video so far. It's basketball. If you don't like today's game, you don't like basketball.
Rob P you contradict yourself at the end of your comment
@@nulref575FACTS
“Position-less” basketball has made the NBA so watered down. It’s impressive to see these 6’10 + guys handle the ball and shoot don’t get me wrong. But I miss the days where there was an emphasis on specialization. From a viewing standpoint, It made the game much more vibrant imo.
The sad thing is that I should be enjoying today's NBA. It's great that everyone is finally learning how to shoot. I used to SMH every time that I see a pro brick a wide open jumper. Now when a rare post up does happen, the refs let a soft double team defender camp out in the post for 8 seconds so that he can just slide over 2 steps and shut it down completely. I haven't seen a 3 second violation called in months, and even then it's just one time in the game that made no sense and felt like the refs were using it to try and keep the game close. The worst part is that the refs don't let guys play defense any more. I know that the NBA wanted to improve scoring because there was some market research report that showed millennials don't watch the NBA because they are not excited by it. The lowest scoring basketball game at half time has more points on the board than the highest scoring NFL game of the entire season at the end of the game. Basketball is the highest scoring sport in the world by far. If millennials don't want to watch basketball because it's not exciting enough, let them go watch a baseball game where nobody scores for 2 hours. Or a football game where it takes 15 to 20 minutes for someone to score.
Adam Silver, stop ruining the game because a generation of kids raised on the internet have ADD. It's not the games fault. These kids aren't real fans, never were, and never will be. If you want to get young people involved in the game, artificially inflated scoring numbers isn't the way to do it. Community out reach is. Teach these kids that the game is great at a young age. My step brother got me into the game when I was in the 7th grade. He told me how great Magic Johnson was and I saw one Laker game and I was hooked for life. If I'm watching a game with a kid today, and the kid says: "Why did that guy at the 3 point line fall down after shooting, and why is he getting to shoot freethrows?" I don't have a good answer for him. Stop it. Just stop it.
Just turned 50 and I quit watching pretty much all basketball about 10 years ago. I just watch the highlights and keep up with the scores. It’s virtually all ISO and 3 pointers. I stopped on a college game a few months back and told my wife “watch, it’s goin to be all 3pointers” and wouldn’t you know, 15 straight possessions, 13 three point attempts and 2 long 2 pointers. I understand why. With the percentage versus the reward, it makes more sense, but for a lot of us, it’s just boring.
Don't forget every offense is basically PnR..except GS
Couldn’t agree more. I was a diehard Blazer fan from the 80’s & 90’s. Kept going until early 2010’s. Never liked inconsistent officiating & when super friends teams started becoming a thing, I was out. Today game looks like scrimmage & jump shooting contest to me personally, you couldn’t pay me to watch it. By late 2010’s started becoming a huge MLB fan. Stacked teams with epic payrolls routinely get steamrolled by small market or teams with smaller payrolls & I love it.
It's the rules. Now l saw a clip of Larry Bird going off on what he called old, broken down ex players hating on today's game. He's never been shy about preferring today's rules. Now I personally think elbows to the face isn't defense, BUT, the new hand check rule or everyone hanging out around the three point line ain't basketball either in my opinion. It's too easy to get shots off and it's boring. That's not the player's fault. I think the NBA needs to revisit the rules.
Of course he likes the new rules. Larry Bird would crush if he played now. Can't touch him? Bucket or assist every single time down the court...from anywhere. You take the Celtics and the Lakers from the 80s and put them into today's game and they would make everyone look silly. Their only issue would be fouling out until they got used to NOT playing defense like they do today.
@@rogerahier4750 Well yeah, but many players from that era would kill it in today's game, but they still don't like today's rules. Bird was fuckin PISSED talking about old players not liking today's game. Really pissed. It's on RUclips.
@@warrenbfeagins I don't doubt it at all. They were physical players. Bird was only physical when he had to be. Bird was not a physical defender. He was slapping balls and cutting off passing lanes. The physical players of the 80s would have a tough time adjusting to not playing physical defense. Not a problem for Bird.
So, the newer rules would only help Bird with no detriment. Most of the other older guys would have to relearn how to play defense.
@@rogerahier4750 Well, solely physical defenders would have a problem, but the ones who weren't physical or were versatile defensively wouldn't and they don't like today's game. I don't either. It's boring. It's like watching a shoot around.
@@warrenbfeagins I don't even watch it much myself. I'm not saying I like it. I'm saying Bird likes it because it fits his playing style perfectly. Most others would have a huge adjustment to make.
The NBA hit it's peak in the late 80s early 90s. My favorite team was the Charlotte Hornets with Larry Johnson, Alonzo Mourning, Mugsy Bogues, Kendall Gill, Dell Curry... They never won or went to a championship but in today's game they'd have a great chance.
I saw Grandmama on Family Matters.
Charlotte was my team. When they moved to NO that’s about when I stopped watching.
The Hornets giving the 72-10 Bulls their 9th loss of the season was one of my favorite regular season games ever. Regular season games never meant more
Great vid. I cringe looking at a lot of games man. They try to make u think big guys today can dribble when in fact they be carrying the ball a lot. So much traveling and carrying and touch foul calls. What makes it worse is that players today seem more about the money than really playing and improving they game.