This current brand of basketball is unrecognizable to me

[Baller234]

I'm sorry I don't really give a f*ck if you call me an old man. This is not basketball we as we know it.

Traveling every other play, carrying every other play, quadruple step backs, the constant foul baiting, sometimes it is a foul, sometimes it's not. The refs don't give a f*ck whatsoever.

And that's just the officiating. That doesn't even speak to the level of play and how retarded the coaching is now. The game has been totally randomized. It used to be a team won because they played better and executed better. Now I'm not sure winning the game means anything at all. Since every team plays the same it really just boils down either to who's hitting their 3's or who's getting luckier with the calls.

And yes I already know a lot of young whippersnappers are going to tell me it was always like this and stop letting nostalgia cloud my judgement and blah blah blah. No the f*ck it wasn't.

There is something severely wrong going on with this league.

[04mzwach]

It feels like the better teams are gambling sometimes. They are willing to chuck threes against a lesser team even if they're not statistically the best shooters. The Wolves just beat the Lakers by double teaming and leaving shooters wide open on the three point line. Its worth the gamble to try to cause a turnover because it's only a 34-38% shot either way. You can't often stop a player from getting inside in this league because defense is illegal. Don't touch them or it's a foul. Players still don't force the foul call very much because they prefer longevity. I think these teams shoot too many threes most of the time though. They dream of a league where the players are shooting 50% from three but it will never happen. Putting the other teams players in foul trouble beats the chucking fest anytime I think.

[90sgoat]

True, it's a strange form of half-sport, half-entertainment.

Personally what really bugs me is the hip hop played in arenas and the chubby dancers.

[SouBeachTalents]

True, it's a strange form of half-sport, half-entertainment.

Personally what really bugs me is the hip hop played in arenas and the chubby dancers.

All the black players too, back in the 50's when we had Mikan, Cousy & Pettit running the show the sport was more pure.

[MrFonzworth]

Everyone in the league is just better nowadays.

[90sgoat]

All the black players too, back in the 50's when we had Mikan, Cousy & Pettit running the show the sport was more pure.

What can I say, I grew up with Guns N Roses, sexy skinny Laker girls (they still are, but only them) and white players like Dan Majerle.

It's been rough seeing the fall of white basketball.

[SouBeachTalents]

What can I say, I grew up with Guns N Roses, sexy skinny Laker girls (they still are, but only them) and white players like Dan Majerle.

It's been rough seeing the fall of white basketball.

I always watch this to cheer me up about the situation.

[Axe]

Op is not at all familiar with the wilson brand?

[Wardell Curry]

I'm sorry I don't really give a f*ck if you call me an old man. This is not basketball we as we know it.

Traveling every other play, carrying every other play, quadruple step backs, the constant foul baiting, sometimes it is a foul, sometimes it's not. The refs don't give a f*ck whatsoever.

The players have taken it too far with the carrying/traveling. It's really over the top now.

But this is something that literally every generation of fans has been complaining about compared to their favorite era of watching for 30-40+ years.

Part of it is getting older and giving less of a **** about the sport in general but there is still a lot of validity to what you say as well. It's not without merit just because you're getting older.

[Phoenix]

What can I say, I grew up with Guns N Roses, sexy skinny Laker girls (they still are, but only them) and white players like Dan Majerle.

It's been rough seeing the fall of white basketball.

Bruh, the best player in the league is white with a 4 inch vertical. Luka is top 3-5 when healthy. Last time the best player was white was mid 80s Bird, and I don't know if the league ever had two top 5 white players, maybe in the 40s and 50s. Once the Russells, Wilts, Kareems, Oscars and Dr.Js came in, it was over.

Several good-very good white players in the league now. Maybe you mean white 'Americans', but fear not. Cooper Flagg is coming to illuminate your life.

[999Guy]

This video actually really looks into whether the OP is factual out or not.

[bdonovan]

This video actually really looks into whether the OP is factual out or not.

Very interesting analysis.

The older game was a bit comical in its lack of precision and planning. IE: Suns posting up 2 people in the same spot. That would not happen today. Or that lazy deep 2 ptr by Pippen. There were more lower percentage / low return shots back then.

I sense what older players are responding to is that today's league is more structured- there are set plays.

The fact that centers back then clogged the paint meant there weren't as many dazzling drives to the hoop as we see today- that's one thing that stands out to me as a long-time fan is the sheer athleticism of today's players- their ball-handling, slashing, and finishing skills at the rim. Honestly, feel that in today's game we see a dozen plays in one game that 30 years ago, would make the Sportscenter top 10.

There are more 3's; there are less low return/low percentage deep 2's and forced shots.

Do these older players have any definition of 'creativity'? Interesting hearing Shaq speak of creativity of all people, given his game was often brute-force.

Interesting too at 4:05 that league rules that limited double teaming decades ago. Led to stagnant 1-1's in the older game without much defensive intensity or offensive creativity- almost like baseball - watching the pitcher and batter go at it while the rest just stood around.

A lot of these oldhead commentary like Paul Pierce saying no one today passes like Jason Kidd can just be dismissed easily without argument.

The oldheads can't even articulate their arguments, and get obliterated by Thinking Basketball's reason. I suspect for ego reasons they need to find something to complain about.

The one area today's game lacks is perimeter defense. Defenders lose cred if their man blows by them for a dunk, but don't if their man drains a three. So they tend to guard against the drive. The offensive game has changed and so must the defensive emphasis.

[MMM]

What can I say, I grew up with Guns N Roses, sexy skinny Laker girls (they still are, but only them) and white players like Dan Majerle.

It's been rough seeing the fall of white basketball.

Compared to the 00s and 10s i think white basketball is on the rise. The Bulls having an exciting whites line up wasnt possible a few years ago

[bdonovan]

I'm sorry I don't really give a f*ck if you call me an old man. This is not basketball we as we know it.

Traveling every other play, carrying every other play, quadruple step backs, the constant foul baiting, sometimes it is a foul, sometimes it's not. The refs don't give a f*ck whatsoever.

And that's just the officiating. That doesn't even speak to the level of play and how retarded the coaching is now. The game has been totally randomized. It used to be a team won because they played better and executed better. Now I'm not sure winning the game means anything at all. Since every team plays the same it really just boils down either to who's hitting their 3's or who's getting luckier with the calls.

And yes I already know a lot of young whippersnappers are going to tell me it was always like this and stop letting nostalgia cloud my judgement and blah blah blah. No the f*ck it wasn't.

There is something severely wrong going on with this league.

What is retarded about the coaching today?

The officiating is completely inconsistent, and has degraded under Adam Silver- agree with that. It does impact games, sometimes decide them. We need to go back to standardization.

The Thinking Basketball video makes an interesting case that long 2's have become 3's. Not much different except one is higher points efficiency.

In my view the biggest officiating deficiency is not on offense with traveling etc. but on defense. Van Gundy pointed this out in post-up- the refs will just often mindlesslly allow the ball-handler to be mugged, and other times not. Sometimes refs will allow aggressive hand-checking, other times not. It allows coaches and players to game the system. As a fan you cant' help but feel ripped off when your team loses, because with their selective calls, the refs put their hand on the scale far too much in wins and losses.

[jayfan]

I'm sorry I don't really give a f*ck if you call me an old man. This is not basketball we as we know it.

Traveling every other play, carrying every other play, quadruple step backs, the constant foul baiting, sometimes it is a foul, sometimes it's not. The refs don't give a f*ck whatsoever.

And that's just the officiating. That doesn't even speak to the level of play and how retarded the coaching is now. The game has been totally randomized. It used to be a team won because they played better and executed better. Now I'm not sure winning the game means anything at all. Since every team plays the same it really just boils down either to who's hitting their 3's or who's getting luckier with the calls.

And yes I already know a lot of young whippersnappers are going to tell me it was always like this and stop letting nostalgia cloud my judgement and blah blah blah. No the f*ck it wasn't.

There is something severely wrong going on with this league.

I'm an old head, too. And while I largely agree with you, I have to say this. The brand of basketball we're seeing this season & playoff season is an IMPROVEMENT over the previous 5 years of nba ball. The bigs are back. The high & low post is creeping back into play, spamming 3's incessantly seems to be on the slight decline, and physicality is back.

.