The NBA sure has changed

[NeoV]

"I think this might have to do with the fact that most NBA players are taller and more athletic and stronger nowadays. A Shaq, as good as he was in his prime, would have been blocked every time he went to the hoop by a Dwight Howard or Serge Ibaka. Being big and fat and stronger than everybody else just isn't the case anymore. As a result, players that play the 4 or 5 are forced to step back and start shooting jumpshots. "

Yah - that's pretty ridiculous - Shaq and Howard played against each other plenty.

I don't think people appreciate just how big and strong Shaq was.

Also - the post about High School players and Euro players.....how many tall, outside shooting Euro players are in the NBA?

Dirk
Bargnanai (Raptors)
Gallinari

also - HS players aren't eligible for the Draft any longer - they have to wait at least one year, leading to the 'one and done' syndrome we are seeing (See Kentucky) in the NCAA.

that said - I don't think 'fundamental' play was the focus in the mid to early 90's either.

I have 2 gripes with the current NBA - charging/blocking on drives to the basket (shouldn't be allowed to draw a charge in the paint IMO), and the fact that the 'carrying' rule has apparently been thrown out. Guys like Westbrook, and particularly Rondo - literally commit a carrying violation - not just on every possession, but on every damn dribble.

 

[notposting]

Ummm what? Soo you're saying you'd take Howard or ibaka over Shaq? Lmao. I don't think you realize how dominant a big man Shaq was.

Yeah...young Shaq...still a monster compared to those guys.

 

[pelov]

Ummm what? Soo you're saying you'd take Howard or ibaka over Shaq? Lmao. I don't think you realize how dominant a big man Shaq was.

I do remember but my point was directed towards him not being AS dominant given the athleticism/strength of today's players in the 4 and 5 positions.

 

[jman19]

This is why the NBA is unwatchable

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC9H66odmrk

That was horrendous. NBA refs are tools, and Wade is a punk for even trying that.

 

[vi edit]

Yeah...young Shaq...still a monster compared to those guys.

Yep, young Shaq was a lean, mean, leaping athletic freak. It wasn't until he put on an extra 100 pounds later into his career that he turned into a post grinding bully.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkrPBAhVFn0

 

[jman19]

Yep, young Shaq was a lean, mean, leaping athletic freak. It wasn't until he put on an extra 100 pounds later into his career that he turned into a post grinding bully.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkrPBAhVFn0

Great collection of highlights.

 

[Perknose]

Yeah...young Shaq...still a monster compared to those guys.

Beyond any doubt! :thumbusp:

Sir Charles was no slouch in his prime, either.

^^^ Look at him block shots in that vid and remember that the guy wasn't even 6'5" tall . . . and yet was often in the top 5 league wide in rebounding. Dude was awesome, a beast.

Total Rebounds
1985-86 NBA 1026 (2)
1986-87 NBA 994 (3)
1987-88 NBA 951 (5)
1988-89 NBA 986 (3)
1989-90 NBA 909 (4)
1992-93 NBA 928 (8)
1995-96 NBA 821 (5)
1997-98 NBA 794 (8)
1998-99 NBA 516 (7)

 

[kevman]

shaq in his prime > howard

 

[jman19]

shaq in his prime > howard

Absolutely. Dwight is a physical freak, but has never displayed the offensive talents Shaq had.

 

[KentState]

The NBA changed right about the time were every player was tatted up and thought they were rappers. Dennis Rodman covered from head to toe was a freak show, but shortly after everyone started to look like him. Also having Jordan fade away didn't help, much like how golf's popularity rides on Tiger showing up to events. The other thing that changed was games not being on a major network and moving over to ESPN/TBS/TNT.

 

[jman19]

The NBA changed right about the time were every player was tatted up and thought they were rappers. Dennis Rodman covered from head to toe was a freak show, but shortly after everyone started to look like him. Also having Jordan fade away didn't help, much like how golf's popularity rides on Tiger showing up to events. The other thing that changed was games not being on a major network and moving over to ESPN/TBS/TNT.

Flopping, soft stars, and an absurd number of foul calls on soft contact has helped ruin the NBA. I can't get up for a game unless it's a playoff game.

 

[CallMeJoe]

...Sir Charles was no slouch in his prime, either...

I remember watching Charles Barkley at Auburn, 300+ lbs, playing elbows to the rim. He was astonishing.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

I do remember but my point was directed towards him not being AS dominant given the athleticism/strength of today's players in the 4 and 5 positions.

What? Shaq played at a time when the center position was just about as stacked as it's ever been. Patrick Ewing, Hakeem Olajuwon, Alonzo Mourning, David Robinson, Dikembe Mutombo, Tim Duncan, Vlade Divac, Yao Ming... Shaq played toe to toe with all of them in their prime.

 

[dennilfloss]

It used to be better before all the dunking madness and trash talking took over. Hook shots and lay ups were much more civilized. Plus a lot more team action, fewer individual efforts back then. And traveling wasn't tolerated as much.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVwA3VOKV4U

 

[BUTCH1]

That was horrendous. NBA refs are tools, and Wade is a punk for even trying that.

The kick didn't really have any injury potential IMO but it's sad indeed that he wasn't called for an offensive foul and that's TOTALLY on the Ref's to make that type of no-brainer call to keep the NBA from devolving into a joke. Another thing is blatant traveling nowadays, hey, I thought dribbling was supposed to part of the game but it seems like guys just run at the hoop and why not, traveling is seldom called..

 

[SlowSpyder]

I feel like the NBA and media are trying too hard to make LeBron the next Michael Jordan. He's had some flashes of brilliance and really took over in the last few games against the Celtics, but he's choked at times too. I feel like they are trying to make him a huge sensation when he's just not quite there yet.