Why are the classic teams so popular?

[statum71]

Are the classic teams so popular because basketball was better?

Or can we appreciate them more because gamers are older?

[canes21]

Re: Why are the classic teams so popular?

I think it is both.

[PAPERNUT]

Re: Why are the classic teams so popular?

Both for me.

[jmarcguy]

Re: Why are the classic teams so popular?

I think there are more athletic players today. Maybe not as well rounded. The league seemed more popular during the 80s & 90s. Healthier. Then you had Jordan, Magic, Bird, Wilkins, Erving, Ewing, Barkley, Kemp, Malone, Thomas, Mullin & more that I won't list. Today the best players, Lebron & Kobe, are the most hated! Lot of great players today don't get enough exposure.

For people who played games back then it's cool to see the players finally look & play like themselves. Graphics stunk back then! I can finally drive with Magic & whip a behind the back pass. Back then you could only imagine you were.

[VDusen04]

Re: Why are the classic teams so popular?

I'm not sure my feeling was represented as a poll option. I don't love them because I think basketball was better back then and I don't like them because I'm getting older. I just like them because I like basketball. I like it now and I liked it then. What's cooler than having the option of playing with 30 NBA teams? Playing with 31 NBA teams!

Classic teams just add another dynamic. On one hand it can take me back to those days, but in many instances, I wasn't even around, yet I'd still love to roll with. . .say. . .the '68 Seventy-Sixers. It's just too cool.

[youvalss]

Re: Why are the classic teams so popular?

It's like old music, old cars, old TV shows. It's a little bit of both I guess: they were better to some extent, but it's also about nostalgia and memories. People aren't only driven by logic, so many times feelings/memories drive people as well.

To me, the mid 80's to early 90's was the best NBA era. But I guess I'm also affected by memories/feelings. It's all opinions, it's subjective. I do think that MJ is the GOAT, but then again, you can't prove it, you can just argue.

[statum71]

Re: Why are the classic teams so popular?

For people who played games back then it's cool to see the players finally look & play like themselves. Graphics stunk back then! I can finally drive with Magic & whip a behind the back pass. Back then you could only imagine you were.

Exactly. I've been saying for years that I wish games were this good back when the legends played. Well now we get to see that.

[tomriddle]

Re: Why are the classic teams so popular?

I grew up watching MY KNICKS go neck to neck against Jordan's Bulls and not flinch

that to me is the "golden age", I'm 31 now and honestly the NBA today has changed so much it sickens me in a way..

I think back of the Bulls-Knicks battles and any single play EITHER team would do would land almost the entire team in an 8 game suspension in today's nba

hell.. honestly.. they'd probably suspend the knicks/bulls/these classic teams if they played in today's nba

today's nba has gone so soft.. it sickens me

it's not even dirty play

no sir

basketball back then was PURE AND TRUE.. PHYSICAL

when the Knicks said no layups.. they meant: NO LAYUPS

whoever you were, you drove that lane and you gonna hit the floor..

I miss it, truly

and thank god for NBA2K11 cuz it's brought it back.. in some ways..

[jmarcguy]

Re: Why are the classic teams so popular?

Knicks / Bulls, Knicks / Heat, Knicks / Pacers. Some of the most intense rivalries you'll ever see. No Melo & Lebron winking at each other after a play!

[statum71]

Re: Why are the classic teams so popular?

Knicks / Bulls, Knicks / Heat, Knicks / Pacers. Some of the most intense rivalries you'll ever see. No Melo & Lebron winking at each other after a play!

Yes!!!! hatred made those rivalries intense. None of this 2-yr planning to get together via free agency like LeBron and Wade.

[raneman85]

Re: Why are the classic teams so popular?

It's like classic rock. It gets better with age. Not necessarily better music but mystical, like a classic car. I'm an old gamer and my boys got me hooked on video games. They like to watch classic games on NFL, MLB, NBA, & NHL networks which is great because they can appreciate the great athletes so they like the classic teams. Larry Bird would never pull a Lebron hold an hour press conference on ESPN.

Plus there was more fan and team loyalty back then; good teams didn't overhaul every year. Bird-Magic brought the NBA back. Jordan was the first big self promoter in the NBA, but he backed it up. However, Dr. J could have been as big as Jordan if he had the media of today. The athletes weren't as exposed nationally, you didn't see a game every night, but once a week. The athletes didn't think the world owed them, so there was more fan-jock appreciation.

[Romeclone]

Re: Why are the classic teams so popular?

For me who is 32 years old, it can be summed up like this.
...
When I was in Jr. High I played Bulls vrs Lakers and Bulls vrs. Blazers so much my dad broke my TV at one point.

Now as an adult, I can play Bulls/Blazers on Steriods. It's great. And I don't think my dad will come over to my house and break my TV. It's not out of the question though.

[tomriddle]

Re: Why are the classic teams so popular?

Knicks / Bulls, Knicks / Heat, Knicks / Pacers. Some of the most intense rivalries you'll ever see. No Melo & Lebron winking at each other after a play!

I still remember Michael Jordan walking past then-Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy yelling in words so clear, you can lipread it

CALM DOWN YOU LITTLE HOCKEY PUCK!

yeah man.. those were real deep rooted rivalries and a major part of it was how PHYSICAL the nba teams played back then

nowadays.. you send a "Superstar" to the floor and you're suspended for 10 games

kinda bs has the league become

[statum71]

Re: Why are the classic teams so popular?

...
I played Bulls vrs Lakers and Bulls vrs. Blazers so much
Now as an adult, I can play Bulls/Blazers on Steriods.

Yes. I remember that too man. That was a fun game for its time. And now? You're right its like on steroids. Lol

[Majingir]

Re: Why are the classic teams so popular?

I dont think its any of the options listed. I think it just seems popular online cause most ppl online are old enough to remember the Jordan days. I know if I told anyone I knew who liked basketball that 2K11 had classic teams in it, they wouldn't really care much because they never grew up watching anyone on those classic teams.