MBB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Cody-1-Kastern]

I think the moral of the story is that you can find beauty in each level of competition. Personally, I am on the fence. While the college game (all of the different divisions lumped together) is a wonderful exhibition of togetherness, perseverance, defense, and undeniable passion. I can't help but marvel at the fluency of their motion. I get a little watery-eyed thinking about how great this game is.

I agree, and I couldn't have said it any better.

[Ralph Turner]

I disagree.  I love the NBA game.  The fact is that the best athletes in the world are NBA basketball players.  When people say that college basketball players give it there all and NBA players go through the motions-that's a bunch of B.S.  NBA players are professionals that have such polished games, there skill level is so high, and they are so fluid on the court.  Players don't make as many mistakes as players in College do.
...

Good post, Cody. 

My favorite time machine fantasy basketball game would be a best-of-20 series between an early 1960's Boston Celtics team, playing on the parquet floor with a set of 1960's refs calling 1960's rules versus any other team your choice from another era on their home court with referees and rules from that era.

Best-of-20...  Either better, worse or the same. 

Ok, I would take any 90's Chicago Bulls championship team.  Probably the younger Mike (Early 90's) when he would attack the hoop.  Can't go wrong with Mike and Scottie.  I don't know about the 1960's rules though-no 3 point line!!!

I don't know about the 1960's rules

... like palming and traveling.

Fine points in the game like hitting the 15-foot jumper... 

[OshDude]

I disagree.  I love the NBA game.  The fact is that the best athletes in the world are NBA basketball players.  When people say that college basketball players give it there all and NBA players go through the motions-that's a bunch of B.S.  NBA players are professionals that have such polished games, there skill level is so high, and they are so fluid on the court.  Players don't make as many mistakes as players in College do.
...

Good post, Cody. 

My favorite time machine fantasy basketball game would be a best-of-20 series between an early 1960's Boston Celtics team, playing on the parquet floor with a set of 1960's refs calling 1960's rules versus any other team your choice from another era on their home court with referees and rules from that era.

Best-of-20...  Either better, worse or the same. 

Ok, I would take any 90's Chicago Bulls championship team.  Probably the younger Mike (Early 90's) when he would attack the hoop.  Can't go wrong with Mike and Scottie.  I don't know about the 1960's rules though-no 3 point line!!!

That is a fun game. I'll always take the 1985-86 or the 84-85 Celtics, especially if my guys are at home (even if that means the "other" team calls the Gahden home).

Legend, DJ, Chief, Posty McHale, Danny, Big Red/Ced Max, Wedman, Sichting/Buckner and, of course, Greg Kite. Those were the days ...

Although I hated them, if I can't pick a mid-'80s Celtics team I'll take the early '80s Sixers with Dr. J, Moses, Toney and Cheeks. Respect from me, but no love.

[chmarx]

I'd have to go with the Showtime 80's Lakers with Magic, Kareem, and Worthy.

[Mr. Downtown]

If the NBA got rid of :

1. The Ghetto/Gangsta mantra
2. David Stern
3. Corrupted Officiating
4. David Stern
5. Expiring Contracts BS
6. One Sided Trades (thanks to expiring contracts)
7. David Stern

I would watch the NBA if all of these things happened. Which won't anytime soon, so I won't pay attention.

Also consider that from now on we'll see so many One and Done College Season's for the best hoop players, that I'll begin to not pay attention to D-I (like I kinda did this season).

People say that Baseball is in terrible shape. It is, to a point, but the game of Basketball is in worse shape IMO. Watching players hit 500 foot home runs is way cooler then watching some ghettoified (is that even a word) player chucking 35 shots a game, so he can keep his scoring average above 20ppg.

And like every baseball coach I've ever had said..."You ain't cheatin', You ain't Tryin'"

Of course they would also say don't do anything stupid like take drugs. I guess some Ball players forgot that one...

[Cody-1-Kastern]

Mr. Downtown,

I agree with you that the NBA has a "ghetto" image.  10 years ago you didnt see anyone with arm sleeve tattoos except Dennis Rodman.  Now its the norm.  Whats with players getting tattoos on their neck?  But I also think David Stern is the Best Commisoner in all Pro Sports and has done some very good things for the NBA.

[Greek Tragedy]

Cody,

I've never said anything about the lack of talent players have.  So stop talking about how many 3-pters Wally can shoot in practice.  Seriously.  The NBA game has an image problem, partically due to themselves.  The ghetto image in society became popular and when the NBA's ratings went down (because of no Jordan, Bird etc), they jumped on that bandwagon to draw more fans in. 

Isn't it ironic that all of you pick your favorite "teams" from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s?  Amazing!  That was when basketball was fun to watch, The Celtic teams, the "Showtime" Laker teams, the Jordan-led Bulls teams.  Now, what do you have?  I bunch of guys standing around and a couple of other guys taking each other one on one. 

The talent level is not being questioned here.  Some of the things players do on the offensive end are amazing, the long range jump shots that they make look like layups and stuff like that.  The attitudes and willingness of some players are what I'm questioning here. 

Getting a fast-break after a made basket shows there isn't any desire to get back and play defense.  When I see a defender standing 3 feet away from his opponent, and all he has to do is do a simple jump shot, that shows there is a lack of effort and shows they don't care. 

In my opinion, it happens more often than not.  Yeah, ever level has players that don't agree with players, don't like their coaches, don't like their lack of playing time, etc, etc, etc...but, there is one difference in the NBA. THEY GET PAID MILLIONS OF DOLLARS!  So, suck it up and be a team player.  It's no wonder no one feels sorry for these guys.

Lastly, I find it disgusting that you bring up Dotson's murder of Dennehy into this conversation and attribute his motive to "not liking him"...Wow.

[Cody-1-Kastern]

Old School,

Obviously you didn't read a word I said.  And you do live in Pleasentville.

[Greek Tragedy]

Obviously you didn't read a word I said.  And you do live in Pleasentville.

We agree to disagree, no big deal.  You like NBA, I don't.  It doesn't make either of us better...

And Pleasantville was a good movie.

[ac08]

People say that Baseball is in terrible shape. It is, to a point, but the game of Basketball is in worse shape IMO. Watching players hit 500 foot home runs is way cooler then watching some ghettoified (is that even a word) player chucking 35 shots a game, so he can keep his scoring average above 20ppg.

Since "ghetto" is such a loaded word, I might be careful using it to describe aspects of the NBA. Don't get me wrong I agree that watching players put up an unGodly number of shots without any respect for the way the game is meant to be played is unentertaining. I just think that "ghetto" implies culture, and I don't see why that modifier is necessary. I think it's fair to say that regardless of who is doing it "chucking 35 shots a game" to keep his average up is annoying to watch.

[Greek Tragedy]

A better word than Ghetto, would be Hip Hop, in terms of culture.  The baggy pants, the sweats, the tattoos, the music.  The men's team isn't too bad, but the Pointer women's warmup music is horrible (unless of course, you like that kind of music)! lol...

During this Politically Correct world we now live in, we aren't trying to be racist or whatever, but I think we all know what we are trying to say.  The NBA has implemented new rules (like the dress code) to help move away from that image, but it's the NBAs fault in the first place it's gotten to this point. 

I don't think I am saying that the style of play is "Ghetto" or "Hip Hop" but it's image at this time, and like I said before, no matter how you term it, I don't like the style of play either. 

[ac08]

Agreed. I guess a better way to articulate my opinion is that I think the NBA has moved in the right direction by implementing a dress code because it promotes professionalism, but at the same time I think our own personal judgments on taste or preference are pretty irrelevant to the actual play of the game.

I'm sorry if I implied race or ethnicity.

[chmarx]

Actually, fast breaking style basketball was traditionally considered "ghetto" ball.  Old school coaches like Hank Iba preferred the half court game.

[ac08]

Actually, fast breaking style basketball was traditionally considered "ghetto" ball.  Old school coaches like Hank Iba preferred the half court game.

Are you just making a statement, or is there another point that I'm missing?

[Z71Warhawk]

Goodwin Named First Team All-American.. Congrats Matt on an outstanding seson.