Poll shows 76% of Americans don't miss the NBA

[KevB]

Originally Posted by vailpass

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.

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.