NBA Landscape Different from a Decade Ago
It has been a hot minute since I have posted on this blog and for that, I apologize. As some of you know, I have been contributing for another website where I write strictly about BYU athletics. As a Cougar fan, I enjoy it, although it poses its challenges....like finding topics. That is one reason I love this here blog space. I get to choose whatever topic I want...and you as the reader, since you clicked the link or found the url, are now obligated to read it.
That being said, the topic of this post is.....well...let me think....I have so much freedom now...
Got it!!!
The complete reversal of fortunes of the teams of the late 1990s and early 2000s to now in the NBA.
One of the dominating headlines in sports right now is the altercation between Charles Oakley, who is a former player for the New York Knicks, and the current owner of the Knicks, James Dolan.
Oh how far the Knicks have fallen...and the Lakers...and the Suns...and the Nets...and the Heat....and almost every team that made a splash in the post-Michael Jordan but Not-Yet-Lebron generation.
The Dolan-Oakley altercation is simply an illustration of the frustrations that all Knicks fans are experiencing. When was the last time the Knicks were relevant in the playoff picture. My thoughts go back to a Marbury era or even back to Patrick Ewing. The Knicks are not alone in their frustrations. Allen Iverson once led the 76ers to a NBA Championship Series....once. The Lakers have come up for air a couple times....but only on Kobe's good, uninjured days.
On the flip side, where did the Raptors come from. Also, the Cavs have come a long way since their consistently terrible seasons. And do you remember when Troy Murphy was the best player on the Golden State Warriors...do you even know who Troy Murphy is?
What is it that has brought about this change? The answer is TALENT.
Iverson was all flair. Kobe was great jersey sales (especially overseas). The Nets were "the underdog" that people could root for. The league was driven by unfounded hype.
Now there is Lebron, one of the best players possibly ever. Steph Curry is arguably the greatest shooter in league history. Westbrook and Harden are all-around threats (aside from Harden's defense...a story for another time). The dynamic backcourts in Toronto and Portland play beautiful basketball. The Spurs are setting records. The talent pool right now is deeper than the glass of milk that just swallowed up my Oreo.
The NBA has been suffering for a while. The NFL is still the No. 1 sport for US spectators. The MLB's popularity is on the rise again because of breakout players. The NBA needs to do something. That something is to spread the talent more. Make the Lakers good again, but not because of one star. Make the Knicks good again, but not because of one GM.
Spread the talent more and the level of play for the league as a whole will increase to a level it has never seen. Stacked teams need to be a thing of the past...yes, I am looking at you Kevin Durant.
That being said, the topic of this post is.....well...let me think....I have so much freedom now...
Got it!!!
The complete reversal of fortunes of the teams of the late 1990s and early 2000s to now in the NBA.
One of the dominating headlines in sports right now is the altercation between Charles Oakley, who is a former player for the New York Knicks, and the current owner of the Knicks, James Dolan.
Oh how far the Knicks have fallen...and the Lakers...and the Suns...and the Nets...and the Heat....and almost every team that made a splash in the post-Michael Jordan but Not-Yet-Lebron generation.
The Dolan-Oakley altercation is simply an illustration of the frustrations that all Knicks fans are experiencing. When was the last time the Knicks were relevant in the playoff picture. My thoughts go back to a Marbury era or even back to Patrick Ewing. The Knicks are not alone in their frustrations. Allen Iverson once led the 76ers to a NBA Championship Series....once. The Lakers have come up for air a couple times....but only on Kobe's good, uninjured days.
On the flip side, where did the Raptors come from. Also, the Cavs have come a long way since their consistently terrible seasons. And do you remember when Troy Murphy was the best player on the Golden State Warriors...do you even know who Troy Murphy is?
What is it that has brought about this change? The answer is TALENT.
Iverson was all flair. Kobe was great jersey sales (especially overseas). The Nets were "the underdog" that people could root for. The league was driven by unfounded hype.
Now there is Lebron, one of the best players possibly ever. Steph Curry is arguably the greatest shooter in league history. Westbrook and Harden are all-around threats (aside from Harden's defense...a story for another time). The dynamic backcourts in Toronto and Portland play beautiful basketball. The Spurs are setting records. The talent pool right now is deeper than the glass of milk that just swallowed up my Oreo.
The NBA has been suffering for a while. The NFL is still the No. 1 sport for US spectators. The MLB's popularity is on the rise again because of breakout players. The NBA needs to do something. That something is to spread the talent more. Make the Lakers good again, but not because of one star. Make the Knicks good again, but not because of one GM.
Spread the talent more and the level of play for the league as a whole will increase to a level it has never seen. Stacked teams need to be a thing of the past...yes, I am looking at you Kevin Durant.
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