What was it like?

[portlandplaya]

Okay, I just got done reading Bird's and Magic's book When The Game Was Ours, and I have also read Bill Simmons's basketball book. Now, I did not grow up on MJ's Bulls. Never got to see the Celtics-Lakers battles of old. So, as a humble young hoopster, what was it like as a fan, being able to watch such poetry on the court?

[Taur3asi3]

Re: What was it like?

The Bulls teams during the 2nd threepeat were as close as the NBA will ever get to Beatlemania and a team being treated like rock stars the world over. Also you should check out "Playing For Keeps" by David Halberstam for insight into the Bulls 2nd threepeat.

[Moses Shuttlesworth]

Re: What was it like?

From what I hear, basketball that we will never be able to experience again.

[youvalss]

Re: What was it like?

I used to watch some Celtics-Lakers-Sixers highlights (they didn't air NBA games back then where I lived) during the early-mid 80's. I didn't know all the players and my brother used to explain me everything. I remember I was a big fan of Kareem and hated Bird. But one thing was certain back then: Boston was our ENEMY...LOL.

funny, because today it's the opposite...


As for MJ, I started watching his games during the 1989-1990 season and by the next season I watched every game that was aired. Since I lived far far away, I had to wake up in the middle of the night to watch NBA games. And so I did...even if I had a major exam the same day, work, army, you name it! MJ was more important than all that...haha, good times!

Good thing I found some great online forum with TONS of old NBA games (70's, 80's, 90's, 2000's), so I can re-live it. I'm gonna create my own collection of old NBA games.

[portlandplaya]

Re: What was it like?

Doing some research/looking at old youtube clips...wow. I only have a vague memory of Jordan during the 98 Finals. I do remember him hitting that gamewinner against the Jazz, though. His days as a Wizard were okay, but nowhere near as dominant as he was.

But, what shocks me the most is that the game was played so much more beautifully. Being a huge Blazer fan, I'm envious of anybody who lived to see that 77 season with Walton and Lucas. As a whole though, anybody who got to see Bird, Magic, Jordan, hell the whole league then is very lucky. Winning mattered. 20 rebounds was seen in the same light as 30 points. Stats meant little to players.

Now we have people like Eddy Curry in the league...the hell happened..

ps: Playing For Keeps is an awesome book. Read it awhile back though. Probably should re-read it again. Halberstam was an awesome writer.

[bkrich83]

Re: What was it like?

From what I hear, basketball that we will never be able to experience again.

Absolutely true.

[LionsFanNJ]

Re: What was it like?

I was in HS during the first Bulls three peat and in turn was the tail end of the Bad Boys and Magic/Bird. That whole Era of play was awesome

Watching the Rifleman Chuck Person try and outshoot Bird in the Boston Garden, The Jordan rules, Payton and Kemp, Run TMC. Yeah all good stuff.

I still am in awe at that 95 Bulls team aka the GOAT.

[dodgerblue]

Re: What was it like?

It was awesome! And it keeps getting better in my memory. My favorite Laker teams will always be the ones from the 80's. Not as much tv coverage back then though, certainly not for the home games during the regular season. You had to listen to Chick Hearn on the radio. I remember how cool it was when the playoffs were on and I got to see them in their home yellow jerseys.

[Brankles]

Re: What was it like?

I personally think it's overrated, but that's because everyone blows it up to ridiculous levels

[youvalss]

Re: What was it like?

I personally think it's overrated, but that's because everyone blows it up to ridiculous levels

After all, it's subjective. All I know is that I haven't felt excited about the NBA in years. Years ago, I used to watch EVERY NBA game that was aired (especially MJ ones). Today, it's a different story. I gave up watching a double-header yesterday, something that could probably never happpen during the 90's.

And I believe it's quite the opposite of what you say. Today, everything is blown up ridiculously, it's all a HUGE fuss. Even the pre-game rituals are an issue today that you read about in the news.

[Amoo316]

Re: What was it like?

It's kind of funny because I followed basketball through the entire 90s and it was majestic. Everything from Jordan's first run, to his retirement, To Hakeem/Clyde/Chuck and then back to MJ part 2 it was incredible. Then when you throw in the things we saw in the 30 for 30 Miller Time the league was exciting and awesome. I actually stopped watching most of the NBA when that batch of stars left and was away from really following the league from about 2000-2005. Honestly from the strike until about 2005.

By 2005 a few new stars had really started to emerge and you didn't feel like you were watching a lack-luster league. I'm not saying there weren't good players in the league around 2000, but for me personally it was a huge let down to go from games with Jordan's Bulls against Stocks and Malone to Allen Iverson single handedly taking a team through the entire eastern conference and into the championship. The game is back in a good state again and in my opinion there's enough super-star power to support the league.

[Brankles]

Re: What was it like?

I dunno, the league may have been the best from the 80's to the mid 90s... but right now I think we're in the midst of another golden age of basketball. I was born in 86, so I was a little late for the glory days, but watching games on ESPN Classic, I don't see basketball being that much better as a whole. In fact, it was a less athletic game and the hard-nosed defense that so many say is missing in today's game wasn't really as physical as I'd expect.

I mean, I appreciate those days for what they were, but sometimes I feel the memories get better with age and somewhat blown out of proportion.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: What was it like?

I was born in 86 also but even I know Basketball from the 90s was a great era of basketball(for me personally)as opposed to this "staged"(not fake)stuff that's going on right now.

[Moses Shuttlesworth]

Re: What was it like?

Watching those classic LA-Boston 80's games certainly leads me to believe the games used to be way more physical than they are now. Dudes were throwing elbows right and left which would normally constitute an ejection in today's game. Back then these elbows didn't even warrant a T.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: What was it like?

I think another reason why I appreciate that era more other than the real defense that was played back then is that everything back then was "real" as far as rivalries between teams and hatred that some players actually had for one another and then you look at today where rivalries rarely exist like they did then and that most of the players are all buddy buddy with each other now so that makes me appreciate that era/style of ball even more.