Originally Posted by TEX (Post 8092698)

I'm with ya. I'd also like to add that I'll likely never watch another complete NBA game again. I doubt I'll even watch part of one. Dont miss a single thing about it.

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy (Post 8092451)

Nailed it.

Originally Posted by lcarus (Post 8092730)

Except it was the Bad Boy Pistons. Unless that's what he meant was the Pistons vs the Celtics. I don't know.

Originally Posted by vailpass (Post 8092305)

I was a huge NBA fan as a kid in the 80s through the MJ era. Used to sneak downstairs after bedtime at night to be able to watch the playoffs between the Showtime Lakers and the Bird Celtics. Before that I rooted for Dr. J and his 6ers to get a ring for the Doc. Moses Malone, Cheeks, Toney, Jones and Jones along with Julius were great to watch play. Bad Boy Celtics, Malone & Stock in Utah were great to watch. Clyde and the Nigerian in Houston, even the Cavs were all part of a great time in the NBA.

Michael came just in time to take over for Magic and Larry. Fantastic ball, great rivalries, team play and hard D.

The minute MJ left was the day the music died and the song hasn't been close to the same since.

Originally Posted by KevB (Post 8092798)

I grew up in the same era, and it's what planted the seed for my enjoyment of the NBA today. But if you don't think Kobe, LeBron, Wade, Rose, Dirk, Durant, Howard, Paul, Melo, etc. aren't of the same caliber as the names you mentioned above, I think you're just being nostalgic about that era. The exciting part is that some of the names I rattled off are still young with much of their career to play out, and they play the right way and carry themselves well.

Now, has there been another MJ? Nope. Kobe is close, but just doesn't quite measure up.

Originally Posted by vailpass (Post 8092815)

The players you mention are not the same caliber. Nor do they have near the same likability factor as the players in the Golden Age. Magic Johnson has more charisma and charm in his little finger than LeBron has in his whole body. Bird Celtics, Bad Boys, Showtime, etc. were a whole lot cooler, played a whole lot more as a team, and had "it".
Not so today and their lack of popularity since MJ left reflects this.

Originally Posted by KevB (Post 8092821)

So you're going to compare the least likable player to the guy with more charisma than perhaps anyone ever? Seems fair. If you're arguing whether the league currently has one of the top 3 players of all time (MJ, Magic, Bird) the answer is probably no. But beyond that, the league and it's players easily compare to the 80's and 90's. They're a bit younger, so we'll see if they ultimately progress and maintain the longevity of a Malone or Hakeem.

Originally Posted by vailpass (Post 8092815)

The players you mention are not the same caliber IMO. Nor do they have near the same likability factor as the players in the Golden Age. Magic Johnson has more charisma and charm in his little finger than LeBron has in his whole body. Bird Celtics, Bad Boys, Showtime, etc. were a whole lot cooler, played a whole lot more as a team, and had "it".
Not so today and their lack of popularity since MJ left reflects this.

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990 (Post 8092856)

Maybe not to you, but there are tons of young fans of Lebron, Kobe etc that cant relate to Magic, Bird and even MJ because they never saw them play. Thats how sports works....there will always be a new generation of players and fans ready to replace the old.

Originally Posted by vailpass (Post 8092869)

Of course there are new generations of fans. The fact they don't know anything about the original product doesn't affect the quality of either product.

Originally Posted by KevB (Post 8092876)

I'd love to hear your opinion on why the 80's and 90's was so definitely superior? What numbers prove this? Attendance? It's not really quantifiable.

Originally Posted by KevB (Post 8092876)

I'd love to hear your opinion on why the 80's and 90's was so definitely superior? What numbers prove this? Attendance? It's not really quantifiable.