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.

[vailpass]

Originally Posted by KevB

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.

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.

[KevB]

Originally Posted by vailpass

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.

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.

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by vailpass

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.

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.

[FAX]

This just in; 76% of Americans don't give a crap about anything.

FAX

[Saul Good]

Originally Posted by FAX

This just in; 76% of Americans don't give a crap about anything.

FAX

meh

[Steron]

I couldn't care less.

[RealSNR]

Also, I ****ing hate MLB. Baseball itself can go die in a fire. It's the most boring piece of shit ever.

But once the NBA/NHL playoffs are over, there's a lull in the summer with no sports. And I need SOMETHING to fill that vacuum.

That is, until NFL training camps start to get going. Then I'm cool with not paying attention to baseball again.

[evenfall]

Originally Posted by KevB

There are those that will never like the NBA....fine. But I'd be curious to hear from those that were once NBA fans -- what's different about the league today than when you were a fan?

I believe the NBA is/was moving into a really exciting phase, with great teams, great players who do things the right way, and bad guys (Miami Heat) to play the villain role.

I miss it, but I'm a basketball junkie and enjoy watching the best players in the world.

There is no parity in the league. Only a handful of markets have any hope to win a title.

The game is boring to watch. The games are too long and riddled with fouls and free throws. About 75% of a broadcast is players standing around or walking around. It's less engaging than televised baseball even is.

The league has been turned into being about individuals and egos. Watch highlights - all about facial expressions, gestures, emoting, fouls, crying to referees, who disrespected who... It's a soap opera. There are not really any compelling stories about the sport. It's just a cartoonish drama. Sports-entertainment..

Watching the NBA is not at all like it was 20 years ago even if you take out the fact that the league's stars used to be likeable players and seemed like good guys. It's not at all entertaining.

[suds79]

Originally Posted by evenfall

The league has been turned into being about individuals and egos. Watch highlights - all about facial expressions, gestures, emoting, fouls, crying to referees, who disrespected who...

Honestly the league has always been about individuals and star players. The NBA wasn't nearly what it was popularity wise before Bird & Magic. They took it to another level. Then the Jordan era.

Nothing wrong with how they market the sport IMO.

[CoMoChief]

I could give a shit about the NBA. They mock the actual game of basketball anymore. NCAA bball is a lot better game....fanbase is more into it....atmosphere is a lot more exciting.

[Quesadilla Joe]

I'd miss it in May. Just because I ****ing hate baseball season and the only thing that is on ESPN from April to August is baseball.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

I'd miss it in May. Just because I ****ing hate baseball season and the only thing that is on ESPN from April to August is baseball.

I agree with Knowmo???!!?!?!

[Ming the Merciless]

I enjoy beer, football on Sundays and I have a decent job. I am the 76%

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by Pawnmower

I enjoy beer, football on Sundays and I have a decent job. I am the 76%

You are also the .0000005% that likes Matt Cassel so you got that going for you