Who are the oldest ISH users/watched NBA the longest

[played0ut]

I think i've seen a few around. They're generally more relaxed and less "stfu you kobe dikk sucking phagg0t."

And maybe ask their opinions on the differences in the games, or players who're overlooked in history due to lack of accolades. i.e, if Durant never wins a ring, in 20 years they'll be "who the hell is Kevin Durant?"

I wanna know if anyone here watched Wilt or Russell, Jerry West and Oscar Robertson.


It's unfortunate but I doubt it. Internet has only been around for 20 some years. I don't think 70+ men surf ISH.




tch. Such a shame, such a shame.







And yeah yeah, 9empire just come in and do your schtick already get it over with.

[HomieWeMajor]

JLauber is 59 and once got sent to the shops to buy some condoms for Wilt when he was in town.

[Bless Mathews]

I'm 38.

Showtime lakers celtics rivarlry , to mj pistons etc.

[Lebronxrings]

I think i've seen a few around. They're generally more relaxed and less "stfu you kobe dikk sucking phagg0t."

And maybe ask their opinions on the differences in the games, or players who're overlooked in history due to lack of accolades. i.e, if Durant never wins a ring, in 20 years they'll be "who the hell is Kevin Durant?"








And yeah yeah, 9empire just come in and do your schtick already get it over with.
:roll: :roll: :roll:

[Inferno]

9er :roll: :roll:

[played0ut]

:roll: :roll: :roll:

It's true. Oscar Robertson only one 1. Kareem Abdul JAbbar things he'd beat Lebron and MJ one-on-one. Jerry West said when they came in the league, West knew in his heart that he couldn't compete against Oscar (he did at the end).

Nobody ever mentions the big O.






Oh, and you're a young buck, aren't ya. I feel it in my bones when I read your posts.

[played0ut]

JLauber is 59 and once got sent to the shops to buy some condoms for Wilt when he was in town.

Is he really 59? And isn't he Lazeruss?



I'm 38.

Showtime lakers celtics rivarlry , to mj pistons etc.

Lol you're an interesting man. Older guys aren't typically hated on forums.

[Bless Mathews]

Is he really 59? And isn't he Lazeruss?




Lol you're an interesting man. Older guys aren't typically hated on forums.


Jealous haters cuz. That's all.

[STATUTORY]

jlauber is actually only a teenager

[Meticode]

29 for 2 more months, been watching NBA since 1996.

[CavaliersFTW]

I'm 27. So prob the oldest poster here.

[J Shuttlesworth]

28 in a week (holy shit :()

Been watching since I was 5 in 93. My sisters brainwashed me into watching Jordan (not that I mind) and rooting for the Bulls and we were all against my brother who was rooting for Magic and the Lakers :lol

[Cousin Oliver]

I'm 36.


Saw a few showtime Lakers games and Bird peak games when I was little but really didn't start to watch on a regular basis until a few years later. So I would say that I have been "following" the game since the Pistons second championship run.


I really didn't have a team until a couple of years after that when I fell in love with the Knicks. Watching them battle Jordan's Bulls was when I became a lifelong Knicks fan.

It's funny because I pulled for Jordan to finally win the big one when they played the Lakers that first year in the finals (this was before I had found my team) but once they had won it I cheered against him in every finals after that. I gravitate toward the underdog.

I hated Jordan because of the amount of Bandwagon Bulls fans during that period. And he was literally all over the television and you couldn't escape him. I wasn't in denial though about his greatness. I recognized I was watching the greatest of all time, I just wanted my team to beat him, to beat the GOAT. I remember when the Knicks beat the Bulls in the playoffs feeling happy but not quite satisfied because Jordan was off playing baseball.

Looking back on it now though I am thankful I got to see him, also having a team to hate like that makes it more fun. As much as I hated the big 3 era Heat I appreciated the fact that they provided the NBA with a villain to cheer against.

[HomieWeMajor]

Is he really 59? And isn't he Lazeruss?




Lol you're an interesting man. Older guys aren't typically hated on forums.
Heres a story about how he met Wilt
http://vocaroo.com/i/s1sOj0dDgcp7

[Meticode]

I'm 27. So prob the oldest poster here.
Being the oldest comes off that way from you because of your Wilt debates and video archive. It's almost like this...

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1/1471917_10151888823433800_961246115_n.jpg

[Overdrive]

28 in a week (holy shit :()

Been watching since I was 5 in 93. My sisters brainwashed me into watching Jordan (not that I mind) and rooting for the Bulls and we were all against my brother who was rooting for Magic and the Lakers :lol

You might want to recalculate those numbers.

[robert de niro]

im 70 according to my wikipedia page

[ILLsmak]

Is he really 59? And isn't he Lazeruss?




Lol you're an interesting man. Older guys aren't typically hated on forums.

I'd be hated if people actually read my posts. I find posting on this forum to be enjoyable. Like everything else in life, it's no big deal once you know what to expect. How people who post the same thing can offend people is beyond me.

-Smak

[Fudge]

You might want to recalculate those numbers.
:lol

[played0ut]

There're some old G's around. The two posters at the bottom are 51 and 41, respectively.

http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=349042&page=4


29 for 2 more months, been watching NBA since 1996.

I'm 27. So prob the oldest poster here.

28 in a week (holy shit :()

Been watching since I was 5 in 93. My sisters brainwashed me into watching Jordan (not that I mind) and rooting for the Bulls and we were all against my brother who was rooting for Magic and the Lakers :lol

i'm 29 now. Started watching during Jordan's 2nd 3peat.

[rmt]

I'm 51. Basketball (and tennis) was different back in the day (since 1977). No League Pass so my mom and I looked forward to the weekends and Boston/Lakers games. She was a Boston/Bird fan and I was (gasp) a Laker/Magic fan. No internet, no 24 hour a day NBATV.

Now there's just so much coverage (post-game interviews, practice videos, etc) that one can get to "know" a team really well. The biggest difference (except for the hand checking, hands off defense that's played today) is the attitude towards other players. Today, it seems like they're all friend/friend. Back in the day, they seemed like they hated the other players on the rival teams.

[poido123]

I'm 32 in October.

There will come a day where it isn't cool to be in your late 30s and talking with the younger crew on ISH.

Have to pull the pin at some point. I can't imagine still posting here when I'm 40 :lol

[ProfessorMurder]

25, and have been watching since around the 92-93 season.

Larry Johnson was my favorite player, and I lived near Chicago so MJ was talked about by everybody all the time.

I watched the 94 finals live and saw the OJ chase picture-in-picture.

Stopped watching after the '04-05 playoffs, until the '07-08 season.

[smoovegittar]

I'm 48. Been watching since the mid Seventies.

[poido123]

I'm 48. Been watching since the mid Seventies.


Wow :biggums:

Good to know there's some older guys on here.

[Roundball_Rock]

I'm 27. So prob the oldest poster here.

I did a thread in 2009 on ISH'ers age. Here is what the results were:

Responses: 59

Age breakdown

10-14: 1 (2%)
15-19: 19 (32%)
20-25: 27 (46%)
26-30: 5 (8%)
31-40: 5 (8%)
41-49: 2 (3%)
50: 0

Average: 22.7

So 78% were between 15-25, 80% under 25 and 89% 30 or younger. I want to do this again at some point to see if ISH's average age has increased as the cohort that was here in 2009 has aged or if it has stayed the same due to an influx of younger people.

Edit: here is the thread http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=157659&page=2 .

[J Shuttlesworth]

You might want to recalculate those numbers.
You're right I was 7. My first memory of watching ball is Bulls vs. Suns

[played0ut]

It would be nice if we had some old, old G's to help give some perspective on the game back then.

[NugzFan]

25, and have been watching since around the 92-93 season.


:wtf:

[choppermagic]

42. Been watching since 83. Loved the Lakers-Celtic battles and remember cheering on Kareem while he still had hair!!

[KyrieTheFuture]

21 in a week but I've only really watched consistently since 2008 but 2004 was my first finals I watched

[Lebronxrings]

I'm 51. Basketball (and tennis) was different back in the day (since 1977). No League Pass so my mom and I looked forward to the weekends and Boston/Lakers games. She was a Boston/Bird fan and I was (gasp) a Laker/Magic fan. No internet, no 24 hour a day NBATV.

Now there's just so much coverage (post-game interviews, practice videos, etc) that one can get to "know" a team really well. The biggest difference (except for the hand checking, hands off defense that's played today) is the attitude towards other players. Today, it seems like they're all friend/friend. Back in the day, they seemed like they hated the other players on the rival teams.
dam... weren't you that mega duncan stan?

[kkb_12]

49, watching international basketball since 1976, but NBA since 1987-1988 : dozen games a year if lucky to catch Italian broadcasts...

[BigBoss]

I'm 38.

Showtime lakers celtics rivarlry , to mj pistons etc.

Dude what are you doing with your life? You're 38, nothing but red bars, posting on an internet forum with teenagers

[NBAplayoffs2001]

21 in a week but I've only really watched consistently since 2008 but 2004 was my first finals I watched

First finals I watched was the Knicks vs Houston back in the 90s, barely remember any of it though. Started watching consistently up until 2002 then stopped till 2005 and picked it up again.

[Milbuck]

22.

[GrapeApe]

34. Was initially just a Jordan fan (pretty much every kid my age was) but started really following the game in the early to mid 90's.

[Prometheus]

I'm 26 and have been watching basketball my whole life. Older brother and uncles used to have playoff games on and my earliest memories are from watching Jordan and pretty much deciding at a young age that he was my childhood hero.

So I'm pretty sure 26 makes me about twice as old as the average ISH poster.

[KOBE143]

Been watching NBA since Mikan's rookie year.. :rockon:

[played0ut]

Dude what are you doing with your life? You're 38, nothing but red bars, posting on an internet forum with teenagers

lol it's ok. he's just a fan of the game, and looking for people to discuss it with.


just so happens that the average ISH age is under legal. =p

[moe94]

I'm 27. So prob the oldest poster here.

You're only 27? :biggums:

[Inferno]

16, going on 17 :banana:

[CavaliersFTW]

You're only 27? :biggums:
Last I checked :lol

[Smook A.]

Im 24. Been watching basketball since the mid 90s when Hakeem & the Rockets won. Also glad I got to witness Jordan's 2nd 3-peat. I consistantly started watching and paying attention to everything in 2003. That's when I started learning about the game, the players and the league's history.

[played0ut]

16, going on 17 :banana:

Man, i'm jelly. What a nice age to be, all young and shit. All I needed to worry about were zits and girls. :lol

[zoom17]

Man, i'm jelly. What a nice age to be, all young and shit. All I needed to worry about were zits and girls. :lol

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I6QX2_ld6qU/UZUGgtr7ikI/AAAAAAAABUw/L45nOPckTvI/s1600/1.png

[played0ut]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I6QX2_ld6qU/UZUGgtr7ikI/AAAAAAAABUw/L45nOPckTvI/s1600/1.png


When I was 16. WHEN I WAS 16. :mad:

[NumberSix]

I'm 5

[bdreason]

I'm 34. Been watching the NBA since 1988.

[dreamwarrior]

37 here. Been watching since '88-'00 and '12-on

[scandisk_]

30 here, been a fan since I was 8

CHEWING!

[Soundwave]

32. Been watching since 1991. Bulls-Lakers was my first Finals.

[SpanishACB]

I'm 27. So prob the oldest poster here.

I think the only way we figured your stuff was normal is that you were in your 50s.

Now there's basically no explanation possible other than your mother probably telling you Wilt's your dad so you would stop bothering her about the topic of having no daddy. And that grew an obsession as time went by.

that, or you're a nerd of epic proportions.

[TonyBulls91]

I'm 23, became aware of the NBA around 1995 when I was 4, I remember Jordan's Bulls, Barkley's Suns, Iverson's Rookie Year(Philly native) in 96',Payton & Kemp Sonics,Ewing Knicks, Rockets etc. But I didn't fully get into wathing games until the 98-99 lockout season when the Spurs won their first ship. My oldest memories of the NBA was when it was on NBC, good times:cheers:

[Kvnzhangyay]

I think the only way we figured your stuff was normal is that you were in your 50s.

Now there's basically no explanation possible other than your mother probably telling you Wilt's your dad so you would stop bothering her about the topic of having no daddy. And that grew an obsession as time went by.

that, or you're a nerd of epic proportions.

:cheers: :cheers:

[sportjames23]

41

Been watching the NBA since around 1985. Caught the middle of the Showtime Lakers/Celtics rivalry, saw the rise and fall of the Bad Boys and the acendancy of MJ and the Bulls, and everything since then.

Started off as a Lakers fan, but started paying attention to the dude in Chicago wearing #23 and tearing up the league in 1987. Got my username from Jordan (James being my last name--no relation to Lebron--and 23 for MJ). Been a Bulls fan ever since. Still love the Lakers doe.

[DaSeba5]

I'm 21, so I imagine I'm around the youngest posters on here.

[poido123]

I'm 21, so I imagine I'm around the youngest posters on here.


One of the few level headed young fans on ISH.

:applause:

If only you could rub off on dubeta, Marlo, dragon etc.

[DaSeba5]

One of the few level headed young fans on ISH.

:applause:

If only you could rub off on dubeta, Marlo, dragon etc.

Thanks

I don't think I can. I'm not a LeBron stan with an agenda. I can be biased at times, but I just post as a regular fan. That's why I'm more objective and level headed. I'm not trying to force some agenda.

[T_L_P]

Only 20. Been watching since I was 10.

[East_Stone_Ya]

9er has been watching NBA for 26 years

[VelvetHoop]

Im 26 almost 27 , first memory of NBA was the 1992 finals

http://img.youtube.com/vi/J9GOwJuLERg/0.jpg

[LBJFTW]

36, been watching since 86'

[Dr.J4ever]

I'm 48 and I've been a 76er/NBA fan since 1980.

What surprised me is that CavsFTW is 27? Really?

[LBJFTW]

I'm 48 and I've been a 76er/NBA fan since 1980.

What surprised me is that CavsFTW is 27? Really?

Why is that surprising?

[Thorpesaurous]

I'm 37 and remember going to Celtic games in 83.

[Dr.J4ever]

Why is that surprising?

Isn't it obvious? He's a huge Wilt fan/60s fan. How does that happen? I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it necessarily, but you usually like the best player or players when you were growing up and maturing.

[SexSymbol]

18

[Psileas]

I did a thread in 2009 on ISH'ers age. Here is what the results were:

Responses: 59

Age breakdown

10-14: 1 (2%)
15-19: 19 (32%)
20-25: 27 (46%)
26-30: 5 (8%)
31-40: 5 (8%)
41-49: 2 (3%)
50: 0

Average: 22.7

So 78% were between 15-25, 80% under 25 and 89% 30 or younger. I want to do this again at some point to see if ISH's average age has increased as the cohort that was here in 2009 has aged or if it has stayed the same due to an influx of younger people.

Edit: here is the thread http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=157659&page=2 .

Interesting.
Given though that low ages are a trait perceived negatively in online communities, leading to less teens/young adults revealing their age, I suspect the real average age of the board is even lower than that.

[Helix]

I'm 60 and started following the NBA in 1963. I saw Russell and Chamberlain go head to head numerous times.....Oscar and Jerry a good bit, but not as much as Wilt and Russ. One of my favorite players in the '60's was Gus Johnson...........I was fortunate to see him do his windmill dunk 3 or 4 times.

[G.O.A.T]

When I started posting here and on realgm six or so years ago I thought everyone was much older because I couldn't imagine kids having enough interest to sit around and have in-depth discussions about basketball. Then I started to see some of the topics and the way people communicated.

It's very frustrating, but a necessary part of what I do. Before I started using online communities I had a very limited circle of people to take about the history of basketball with. I'd maybe get one or two good conversations in a month via email or my friends here locally.

I wish there was a better forum online. Somewhere without complete anonymity and where the forums were actually properly moderated. With the two major forums you have one extreme in the other. Here it is a free for all, no order, no moderation, you have to sift through mounds of cat shit to get to the substance. At realgm they've fostered an allegiance to constantly evolving strains of advanced stats du jour. Good basketball conversation is all but gone from there, it reminds me now of my least favorite college classes.

[L.Kizzle]

When I started posting here and on realgm six or so years ago I thought everyone was much older because I couldn't imagine kids having enough interest to sit around and have in-depth discussions about basketball. Then I started to see some of the topics and the way people communicated.

It's very frustrating, but a necessary part of what I do. Before I started using online communities I had a very limited circle of people to take about the history of basketball with. I'd maybe get one or two good conversations in a month via email or my friends here locally.

I wish there was a better forum online. Somewhere without complete anonymity and where the forums were actually properly moderated. With the two major forums you have one extreme in the other. Here it is a free for all, no order, no moderation, you have to sift through mounds of cat shit to get to the substance. At realgm they've fostered an allegiance to constantly evolving strains of advanced stats du jour. Good basketball conversation is all but gone from there, it reminds me now of my least favorite college classes.
There's one forum I found that has a lot of old school talk but is not really active.

[moe94]

Isn't it obvious? He's a huge Wilt fan/60s fan. How does that happen? I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it necessarily, but you usually like the best player or players when you were growing up and maturing.
Exactly. I thought he was a lot older.

[SHAQisGOAT]

Imho we have lots of people just bullshitting around here, ijs... Anyways, I'm almost in my 30's. You ain't gonna catching me saying that I saw prime Kareem live, Dr J in the ABA, Pistol Pete throwing between the leg passes, West shooting from 30 feet, Wilt and Russell going at it, so on... I do saw and continue to see, countless footage from way back and even from after I was born, just because of my love for the game. Adding to reading reports/articles and whatnot, and games that I've watched since I was a kid.




jlauber is actually only a teenager

Yup, by now it's pretty clear, at least if you're not blind... His alts too, like:


I'm 60 and started following the NBA in 1963. I saw Russell and Chamberlain go head to head numerous times.....Oscar and Jerry a good bit, but not as much as Wilt and Russ. One of my favorite players in the '60's was Gus Johnson...........I was fortunate to see him do his windmill dunk 3 or 4 times.

Just sad :facepalm

[boozehound]

Rainier Beach Poet was the old guy back when I joined. I am sure there are some older posters than him as well.

Me, Im 36 and grew up in the showtime/celts/pistons 80s. Damn, that was some great ball.

[Inferno]

I'm 21, so I imagine I'm around the youngest posters on here.

You've got 5 years on me

[Smook A.]

You've got 5 years on me
Damn man you're only 16? Lucky ass. Thought Jameer was the only 16 year old on here :lol

[Inferno]

Damn man you're only 16? Lucky ass. Thought Jameer was the only 16 year old on here :lol

:lol Yea I think Jameer and I are the only ones, I'm almost 17 though :pimp:

[moe94]

Inferno is a baby. So cute.

[Inferno]

Inferno is a baby. So cute.

:lol

[JUDGE WITNESS]

I'm 27. So prob the oldest poster here.
i thought you were like 40 :lol

[sportjames23]

i thought you were like 40 :lol

I thought he was 50. :oldlol:

[Milbuck]

Inferno is a baby. So cute.
Participate in the thread moe :coleman:

[riseagainst]

i have been watching the NBA since june 2011 and started browsing ISH since june 2011. Where does this put me?

[boozehound]

I'm 37 and remember going to Celtic games in 83.
Wow, you were super tiny. I went to some Det Tigers (and KC Royals) games at that age, but my first pistons game was in 87 and I was 9.

[JUDGE WITNESS]

Participate in the thread moe :coleman:
moe is like 20

[Charlie Sheen]

39... didnt come to the usa until 1981.

[LAClipsFan33]

I'm 32. been watching since 88

[RoundMoundOfReb]

watching 'ball since '49.

[Thorpesaurous]

Wow, you were super tiny. I went to some Det Tigers (and KC Royals) games at that age, but my first pistons game was in 87 and I was 9.


I apparently went to my first game at 4 in 81, but don't really remember anything until 83 when I was 6.

[CavaliersFTW]

True one might assume not many 27 year olds would find interest in 1960's hoops. Just the same, how many 40-50 year olds would one assume are familiar with the slew of software necessary to edit and obtain the digital content I've been putting out?

Yeah, I grew up arguing whether MJ was better than Shaq, and remember watching first 3-peat MJ in the Finals while getting babysat at my neighbors house :lol or sleeping over friends houses watching Space Jam. Been more or less a "casual" fan until about 2005. In 2009 I really picked up interest in the past players.

[step_back]

I'm 27 in 3 weeks. I started following the NBA in 1996. Since the internet I've been able to follow more games especially with league pass.:bowdown:

I used to stay up all night and watch games on TV and record literally anything basketball related on VHS. I remember being a kid and pretending to be players like Tim Hardaway with his lethal cross lol.

[Force]

Started watching early 80's. I saw the Showtime Lakers live as a kid. Still remember when the Lakers drafted AC Green. I remember when Byron Scott was a rookie. I saw Dr. J when he was ending it all. Every year of my early NBA watching was Lakers-Celtics finals over and over.

[Kvnzhangyay]

True one might assume not many 27 year olds would find interest in 1960's hoops. Just the same, how many 40-50 year olds would one assume are familiar with the slew of software necessary to edit and obtain the digital content I've been putting out?

Yeah, I grew up arguing whether MJ was better than Shaq, and remember watching first 3-peat MJ in the Finals while getting babysat at my neighbors house :lol or sleeping over friends houses watching Space Jam. Been more or less a "casual" fan until about 2005. In 2009 I really picked up interest in the past players.

But what is the point to what your doing? It's not going to sway anyones opinions, if someone believes 60's was the best after watching your stuff its not going to change. Likewise, if someone believed 60's was shit your stuff is not going to sway his opinion.

[CavaliersFTW]

But what is the point to what your doing? It's not going to sway anyones opinions, if someone believes 60's was the best after watching your stuff its not going to change. Likewise, if someone believed 60's was shit your stuff is not going to sway his opinion.
people like what i do, i like it too, what more incentive do i need?

[moe94]

But what is the point to what your doing? It's not going to sway anyones opinions, if someone believes 60's was the best after watching your stuff its not going to change. Likewise, if someone believed 60's was shit your stuff is not going to sway his opinion.
He's not trying to sway anything. He puts up mixes and uses footage rarely seen anywhere else to give people insight on eras they're not familiar with. His mixes are informative and there is no agenda. Are people who put up T-Mac's top 100 dunks trying to convince you he's the greatest dunker of all time? No, they're just putting up footage for you to appreciate.

[Helix]

Imho we have lots of people just bullshitting around here, ijs... Anyways, I'm almost in my 30's. You ain't gonna catching me saying that I saw prime Kareem live, Dr J in the ABA, Pistol Pete throwing between the leg passes, West shooting from 30 feet, Wilt and Russell going at it, so on... I do saw and continue to see, countless footage from way back and even from after I was born, just because of my love for the game. Adding to reading reports/articles and whatnot, and games that I've watched since I was a kid.





Yup, by now it's pretty clear, at least if you're not blind... His alts too, like:



Just sad :facepalm


No pal, you're the one that is "just sad". I am NOT jlauber or anybody else's "alt". I'm not bullshitting anybody. What I wrote is fact, plain and simple. I DID see Russell and Chamberlain, West, Oscar, and Gus Johnson.

[Heavincent]

Cavs fan since 1902

[CavaliersFTW]

No pal, you're the one that is "just sad". I am NOT jlauber or anybody else's "alt". I'm not bullshitting anybody. What I wrote is fact, plain and simple. I DID see Russell and Chamberlain, West, Oscar, and Gus Johnson.
I think he was being sarcastic :cheers:

[Overdrive]

people like what i do, i like it too, what more incentive do i need?

Keep it up. Although it's mostly highlights it's still way more than I've seen of most guys before.

[CavaliersFTW]

He's not trying to sway anything. He puts up mixes and uses footage rarely seen anywhere else to give people insight on eras they're not familiar with. His mixes are informative and there is no agenda. Are people who put up T-Mac's top 100 dunks trying to convince you he's the greatest dunker of all time? No, they're just putting up footage for you to appreciate.
Well he may be thinking I have an agenda based on the fact that I do sometimes use hyperbole or opinion based video or thread titles to try and catch peoples attention or pull viewers to what some might otherwise not watch (IE Elgin Baylor most "underrated" player in History) but yeah you're right. Just happy to get exposure out there of great players that are otherwise very difficult to see how they played due to generally scattered and limited footage. I try to get it all in one place.

[L.Kizzle]

I gave James Naismith the idea to start this lovely game.

[played0ut]

No pal, you're the one that is "just sad". I am NOT jlauber or anybody else's "alt". I'm not bullshitting anybody. What I wrote is fact, plain and simple. I DID see Russell and Chamberlain, West, Oscar, and Gus Johnson.

I'd like to hear your thoughts on them.

Obviously NBA players as a whole are more athletic people today, but how would the top players from back then similar to players now? Comparable in skill? Would they be able to handle themselves?


'Modern' evolution of the game notwithstanding (invent of crossover, etc), how are they comparable in raw skill?

[CavaliersFTW]

I'd like to hear your thoughts on them.

Obviously NBA players as a whole are more athletic people today, but how would the top players from back then similar to players now? Comparable in skill? Would they be able to handle themselves?


'Modern' evolution of the game notwithstanding (invent of crossover, etc), how are they comparable in raw skill?
I know you aren't asking me this but my two cents about the crossover dribble, etc. Crossover dribbles can be seen in 1940's basketball.. and are explained in old 50's and 60's documentaries as a basic move all forwards and guards should know/use. Probably existed way before then too, it's literally just switching hands seemlessly (and shifting your direction) to throw off the defender, which was deemed important by ball handling basketball experts since before the NBA even existed.

If you mean crossover dribble ala an allen iverseon double crossover with hesitation, than that's an evolution of the rules of the game, not an invention of a move. That move existed on playgrounds long before AI used it, it just wasn't allowed in the NBA until AI kept doing it, and eventually they stopped calling it for what it was ...an illegal carry. Now carrying is commonplace in the NBA. All the basic moves of the game have been a part of the game for a LONG time. A lot longer than most people realize. There are Eurosteps being done by guys like Dave Bing and Archie Clark in 60's footage. I bet those guys didn't even invent the move either, all moves are probably virtually as old as the rules that enabled them to be done.

[La Frescobaldi]

I know you aren't asking me this but my two cents about the crossover dribble, etc. Crossover dribbles can be seen in 1940's basketball.. and are explained in old 50's and 60's documentaries as a basic move all forwards and guards should know/use. Probably existed way before then too, it's literally just switching hands seemlessly (and shifting your direction) to throw off the defender, which was deemed important by ball handling basketball experts since before the NBA even existed.

If you mean crossover dribble ala an allen iverseon double crossover with hesitation, than that's an evolution of the rules of the game, not an invention of a move. That move existed on playgrounds long before AI used it, it just wasn't allowed in the NBA until AI kept doing it, and eventually they stopped calling it for what it was ...an illegal carry. Now carrying is commonplace in the NBA. All the basic moves of the game have been a part of the game for a LONG time. A lot longer than most people realize. There are Eurosteps being done by guys like Dave Bing and Archie Clark in 60's footage. I bet those guys didn't even invent the move either, all moves are probably virtually as old as the rules that enabled them to be done.

Connie Hawkins says hi
His hands were so huge that in 40+ years I have literally never seen ANYONE, including Julius Erving, be able to duplicate some of them.

[Gotterdammerung]

39. :cheers:
Posted at ISH when it was using the old EZ board prior to 2006.
Watched some ball in the late 80s, started seriously with 1991 west conference finals.

[elementally morale]

40

Been Watching since 1980.
ISH & EZ board since 2002

Not the oldest by any means. But probably old enough.

[EllEffEll]

Currently 55 y.o.

Went to my first Laker game in 1963 at the age of 5. It was at the Los Angeles Sports Arena because the Forum hadn't been built yet. The Lakers were wearing blue and white uniforms. I saw the Lakers play the Cincinnati Royals (saw Oscar Robertson, Jerry West and Elgin Baylor). Been hooked on the game ever since.

I did not see Wilt or Russell play in person.

I did have a season ticket in the early 80's. Went to many regular season games, and playoff games in the era. Among others, I went to two finals games in 1980 and two finals games in 1982 (vs. the Sixers). Slowed down on going to games after that as I started raising a family, and Showtime got to be pretty expensive.

[9erempiree]

Approaching 27 years here. More than some people's age in this thread.

Probably the most experience from a NBA stand point.

[LBJFTW]

Currently 55 y.o.

Went to my first Laker game in 1963 at the age of 5. It was at the Los Angeles Sports Arena because the Forum hadn't been built yet. The Lakers were wearing blue and white uniforms. I saw the Lakers play the Cincinnati Royals (saw Oscar Robertson, Jerry West and Elgin Baylor). Been hooked on the game ever since.

I did not see Wilt or Russell play in person.

I did have a season ticket in the early 80's. Went to many regular season games, and playoff games in the era. Among others, I went to two finals games in 1980 and two finals games in 1982 (vs. the Sixers). Slowed down on going to games after that as I started raising a family, and Showtime got to be pretty expensive.

^
Holy shit! Viewer of legends right here folks. :cheers:

Get your notebooks out and pay attention kids. You might actually learn something from this guy.

[absalom]

Approaching 27 years here. More than some people's age in this thread.

Probably the most experience from a NBA stand point.

finally 9er made an appearance. :cheers:

[Shade8780]

14.
Been watching since 2010.

I think I'm the oldest.

[poido123]

Currently 55 y.o.

Went to my first Laker game in 1963 at the age of 5. It was at the Los Angeles Sports Arena because the Forum hadn't been built yet. The Lakers were wearing blue and white uniforms. I saw the Lakers play the Cincinnati Royals (saw Oscar Robertson, Jerry West and Elgin Baylor). Been hooked on the game ever since.

I did not see Wilt or Russell play in person.

I did have a season ticket in the early 80's. Went to many regular season games, and playoff games in the era. Among others, I went to two finals games in 1980 and two finals games in 1982 (vs. the Sixers). Slowed down on going to games after that as I started raising a family, and Showtime got to be pretty expensive.


I never thought of you as an older poster, that's crazy :cheers:

I hope you hang around this message board, you always have some good things to say and you never piss anyone off, that's what I do remember about you.

By the sounds of it, yoiuve experienced some things that people could only dreams of.

I have a few questions for you.

How much do you think the game has changed? How would you measure up a guy like Oscar to guys like Jordan, bird, lebron?

[EllEffEll]

I never thought of you as an older poster, that's crazy :cheers:

I hope you hang around this message board, you always have some good things to say and you never piss anyone off, that's what I do remember about you.

By the sounds of it, youve experienced some things that people could only dreams of.

I have a few questions for you.

How much do you think the game has changed? How would you measure up a guy like Oscar to guys like Jordan, bird, lebron?

LOL. And, I didn't know you were a Bulls fan until somewhat recently.

IMHO, the game has changed a fair amount over the years in some key areas. Some of the changes were due to rule changes for the sake of making the game more entertaining, such as the three point shot, handchecking, and adjusting the way fouls are called. The three-second rule was already in place when I became a fan.

I think it took a while before the 3pt shot truly became the weapon it is today when used in appropriately, but it can be a game changer. It can also be a 'live by the sword, die by the sword' kind of thing.

Personally, I hate to see chuckers chuck because they don't have the skills to get a higher percentage shot, especially without at least trying to work it inside. As a player, I get a little irked to bust my ass to get a defensive stop/rebound just to see some jackass run down and immediately hoist a long range low percentage shot. But I will say that it seems that players have slowly gotten better at the 3pt shot and it has become a more legitimate weapon for a greater number of players rather than something used in desperation.

Fundamental skills and tactics. . . . Some have improved, while others seemed to have regressed. The best ball handlers have a more ambidextrous skillset, but some skills, like passing seem to have taken a step backwards in a majority of players. The European players that come here to play seem to generally have a better fundamental skillset than our domestic players do. I'd really like to see what some of our guys could do with a better fundamental skillset.

I'd like to see the carrying, palming, flopping and travelling rules enforced more. Or, just change the damn rules to make it legal if you're not going to call it.

The one and done (in college) players have also hurt the game (both in the NBA and NCAA), while helping themselves. The number of players that are truly NBA ready is not as great as the number that think they are, or feel the need to do it for financial reasons. Teams feel compelled to draft the raw talent for fear that if they don't someone else will (and it's true). But this is one of the reasons we have seen the regression of the fundamental skillset, not to mention the lack of maturity and professionalism that is evident today.

The short term financial gain is very enticing, but with the statistics showing how many of these young men end up bankrupt within a few years of leaving the game, and then having no education to fall back on, it's is a sad situation to behold. I think some sort of reform with the way the NCAA treats athletes is necessary, and I think the NBA might be able to do more to help prevent this too.

Free agency has also changed the game. Teams once held all of the cards. They could make it very difficult for a player to leave for another team. Teams could and would stay together for longer periods of time. I think this is why some younger fans are more a fan of a player rather than a team. Yet, the championships are won by the team. No player has done it singlehandedly, and I think that is as it should be.

The money side of the game has become kind of ugly and obscene to me. I don't care to see everything possible have to become monetized. Adding sponsors to jerseys is just one more blasphemous kick to the nuts.

And, of course Oscar belongs in that upper echelon of talent. Elgin and Jerry were pretty special too, but I think Oscar's game was closer to translating to the game of today.

One more thought. I think that LBJ has certainly had his less-than-stellar moments thoughout his career, but I think he has shown some real character in working to become the player and the man he is today. I am happy to just sit back and watch what he will do next. I expect to see him add to his legacy and eventually become one of those players 'in the discussion'. I prefer not to speculate before his career is finished or at least close to it. He still has time to accomplish some things before all is said and done. I'd like to see him bring the trophy to Cleveland, and hopefully before the Lakers get their sh!t together because we know that's not happening in the next year or two at the least.

Now skidaddle on outta here and GTF off of my lawn :facepalm

[ArbitraryWater]

25, and have been watching since around the 92-93 season.

Since you were 3 I see.. intredasting

[ArbitraryWater]

Inferno is a baby. So cute.

Fudge-esque..


but agreed doe

Inferno is a honey

[ProfessorMurder]

Since you were 3 I see.. intredasting

5. Collecting and trading cards, living near Chicago, the NBA was huge where I was. I had Charlotte Hornet sheets for my bed.

[poido123]

LOL. And, I didn't know you were a Bulls fan until somewhat recently.

IMHO, the game has changed a fair amount over the years in some key areas. Some of the changes were due to rule changes for the sake of making the game more entertaining, such as the three point shot, handchecking, and adjusting the way fouls are called. The three-second rule was already in place when I became a fan.

I think it took a while before the 3pt shot truly became the weapon it is today when used in appropriately, but it can be a game changer. It can also be a 'live by the sword, die by the sword' kind of thing.

Personally, I hate to see chuckers chuck because they don't have the skills to get a higher percentage shot, especially without at least trying to work it inside. As a player, I get a little irked to bust my ass to get a defensive stop/rebound just to see some jackass run down and immediately hoist a long range low percentage shot. But I will say that it seems that players have slowly gotten better at the 3pt shot and it has become a more legitimate weapon for a greater number of players rather than something used in desperation.

Fundamental skills and tactics. . . . Some have improved, while others seemed to have regressed. The best ball handlers have a more ambidextrous skillset, but some skills, like passing seem to have taken a step backwards in a majority of players. The European players that come here to play seem to generally have a better fundamental skillset than our domestic players do. I'd really like to see what some of our guys could do with a better fundamental skillset.

I'd like to see the carrying, palming, flopping and travelling rules enforced more. Or, just change the damn rules to make it legal if you're not going to call it.

The one and done (in college) players have also hurt the game (both in the NBA and NCAA), while helping themselves. The number of players that are truly NBA ready is not as great as the number that think they are, or feel the need to do it for financial reasons. Teams feel compelled to draft the raw talent for fear that if they don't someone else will (and it's true). But this is one of the reasons we have seen the regression of the fundamental skillset, not to mention the lack of maturity and professionalism that is evident today.

The short term financial gain is very enticing, but with the statistics showing how many of these young men end up bankrupt within a few years of leaving the game, and then having no education to fall back on, it's is a sad situation to behold. I think some sort of reform with the way the NCAA treats athletes is necessary, and I think the NBA might be able to do more to help prevent this too.

Free agency has also changed the game. Teams once held all of the cards. They could make it very difficult for a player to leave for another team. Teams could and would stay together for longer periods of time. I think this is why some younger fans are more a fan of a player rather than a team. Yet, the championships are won by the team. No player has done it singlehandedly, and I think that is as it should be.

The money side of the game has become kind of ugly and obscene to me. I don't care to see everything possible have to become monetized. Adding sponsors to jerseys is just one more blasphemous kick to the nuts.

And, of course Oscar belongs in that upper echelon of talent. Elgin and Jerry were pretty special too, but I think Oscar's game was closer to translating to the game of today.

One more thought. I think that LBJ has certainly had his less-than-stellar moments thoughout his career, but I think he has shown some real character in working to become the player and the man he is today. I am happy to just sit back and watch what he will do next. I expect to see him add to his legacy and eventually become one of those players 'in the discussion'. I prefer not to speculate before his career is finished or at least close to it. He still has time to accomplish some things before all is said and done. I'd like to see him bring the trophy to Cleveland, and hopefully before the Lakers get their sh!t together because we know that's not happening in the next year or two at the least.

Now skidaddle on outta here and GTF off of my lawn :facepalm

I didn't know how you could miss the fact that I was a bulls fan way back then, maybe I had a non bulls avatar who knows, but yes I have supported them properly since the age of 10 and I am 31 now.

I get that inkling that your opinion of me changed once you realized I was a bulls fan :oldlol:

Thanks for your response too, that was interesting. Especially how you explain the effects of big money on athletes in college and nba...

[Inferno]

Fudge-esque..


but agreed doe

Inferno is a honey

:lol :cheers:

[jlip]

37

I've been watching the NBA since 1987.

[deja vu]

I'll be 34 next month. Started watching the NBA in 1987.

[Droid101]

Watching since 92 or so.

Favorite teams morphed from Bulls, Spurs, to Lakers.

Favorite players morphed from Pippen, Duncan, to Rodman.

I have a Duncan jersey I bought around 99, Vince Carter jersey from like 2002, and a LeBron jersey from 2003 (hehe) before he played a single game.

Oh, how the times change.

[TheMan]

I'm going to be 42 in a few weeks, that makes me ancient here. Been watching and really paying attention since about 83-84, my first favorite Bulls player was Reggie Theus and I can still remember Artis Gilmore. I can even remember snippets of the Supersonics championship in 79 but I was too young to really know what was going on. I started really following the NBA, well actually the Bulls when I was about 11-12 years old, before that, baseball and the White Sox were my first sports/team I loved.

[dyna]

I'll be 32 next friday...

[Laker4Lyfe]

Turned Fabulous 50 two weeks ago :pimp:

Been watching the Lakers since late 70's. :rockon:

[poido123]

Turned Fabulous 50 two weeks ago :pimp:

Been watching the Lakers since late 70's. :rockon:


Well done on your 50th. :cheers:

I hope to live that long...

[KungFuJoe]

40 here. Been playing/watching basketball since I was 12/13 years old.

Grew up loving the Lakers and hating the Bulls. Except Jordan. He was always my favorite player. Can't hate the GOAT.

[Lebron23]

27 yrs.old

Started posting here when I was 19/20.

[WillC]

Been watching NBA since Mikan's rookie year.. :rockon:

Then you'd know that Mikan was a rookie in the NBL not NBA, fool.

[WillC]

I wish there was a better forum online. Somewhere without complete anonymity and where the forums were actually properly moderated. With the two major forums you have one extreme in the other. Here it is a free for all, no order, no moderation, you have to sift through mounds of cat shit to get to the substance. At realgm they've fostered an allegiance to constantly evolving strains of advanced stats du jour. Good basketball conversation is all but gone from there, it reminds me now of my least favorite college classes.

I completely agree with you.

I can't decide what I prefer; neither are perfect. We need something between the two.

I've been a member of RealGM since September 2002. I admire how strictly they moderate the forums, but nearly all of the discussion about the all-time greats (i.e. the stuff I'm interested in discussing) revolves around advanced statistics. They have their place, but it goes over the top at times.

[G.O.A.T]

I completely agree with you.

I can't decide what I prefer; neither are perfect. We need something between the two.

I've been a member of RealGM since September 2002. I admire how strictly they moderate the forums, but nearly all of the discussion about the all-time greats (i.e. the stuff I'm interested in discussing) revolves around advanced statistics. They have their place, but it goes over the top at times.

At first I didn't mind, I learned a lot, but after like five different "be all end all" metrics (that have now been deemed flawed by them) I was hoping they'd accept a little balance, no such luck.

It's very surprising that there isn't one outstanding basketball forum anywhere. I've found local, history, music and movie forums that are great, then again, I know less about those subjects so maybe I'm less critical.

[JohnnySic]

39. Been watching since the mid-80's. Bird/Magic, Bad Boys, Jordanairs, Clutch City, and everything since. The "golden age" was about '84-'95 and I was around for all of it. :rockon:

[G.O.A.T]

39. Been watching since the mid-80's. Bird/Magic, Bad Boys, Jordanairs, Clutch City, and everything since. The "golden age" was about '84-'95 and I was around for all of it. :rockon:

I wish I was a little older for basketball history purposes.

I watched the 80's but I was too young to form any opinions until at least the late eighties.

I can't remember watching the '84 Finals, but I have home movies with it on in the background and literally every male at my house for my brothers second birthday is watching the game while all the women clean. I love it. Also it's daytime which I found strange. Don't remember finals games during the day.

1984 really is the moment it all changed.

The Bird/Magic finals
the '84 draft (Jordan, Hakeem, Barkley)
Slam Dunk Contest and All-Star weekend start
Million Dollar contracts everywhere
Stern becomes commissioner

The whole league got a makeover publicly in about 6 months time.

[Im Still Ballin]

I wish I was a little older for basketball history purposes.

I watched the 80's but I was too young to form any opinions until at least the late eighties.

I can't remember watching the '84 Finals, but I have home movies with it on in the background and literally every male at my house for my brothers second birthday is watching the game while all the women clean. I love it. Also it's daytime which I found strange. Don't remember finals games during the day.

1984 really is the moment it all changed.

The Bird/Magic finals
the '84 draft (Jordan, Hakeem, Barkley)
Slam Dunk Contest and All-Star weekend start
Million Dollar contracts everywhere
Stern becomes commissioner

The whole league got a makeover publicly in about 6 months time.
Wow. Respect for such vast association knowledge. :applause:

[wakencdukest]

I watched games with my dad in the 70's, but I can't really say that I understood the game. I really started to pay attention in 79 when Magic arrived and became a die hard fan.

[SOD 21]

I am 47 years old and began watching the NBA in 1979. It isn't a coincidence that this is the year that Magic Johnson was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers and that is what drew me into watching the league. I have been a fan ever since.

I used to post regularly on the ESPN general message board before it got shut down.

[Phenith]

I'm in my late 30s and have been watching NBA since the mid 90s.

[Laker4Lyfe]

Well done on your 50th. :cheers:

I hope to live that long...

Thank you!

I hope you do as well!! :cheers:

[AlphaWolf24]

39 and still play twice a week....still in better shape then 90% of the highschool/college guy's I play against......Longevity and consistency is a key fundamental to greatness.

been watching ( understanding the game) since the mid 80's Dunk like Dr.J...shoot like Bird and Dribble like Magic....Lakers vs Celtics...

the GOAT era.

[Y2ktors]

I am 47 years old and began watching the NBA in 1979. It isn't a coincidence that this is the year that Magic Johnson was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers and that is what drew me into watching the league. I have been a fan ever since.

I used to post regularly on the ESPN general message board before it got shut down.

Man I was wondering what happened to you, Secretary. How Are things going bro?