I am here to end this debate once and for all... Okay. Just kidding.
This kind of debate is like no other. It will go on for an eternity, and then longer.
Sorry, I just kind of felt that this picture was necessary.
Mirror mirror, on the wall... Who is the greatest basketball player of them all?
Seriously. Nobody lie to themselves. We have all enjoyed this topic of conservation with our coworkers on a slow day at work, correct?
"Hey. Who is in your Top 5?" Cue the rolling of the eyes and the sarcastic chuckles once you begin.
Who is on your Sports Mt. Rushmore?
I am not responsible for this Mt. Rushmore (I felt that was vital to say).
It may turn into a heated conversation, but those are the conversations that we live for as sports enthusiasts.
Michael over Kobe... Kobe over LeBron... Wait, LeBron over Kobe?
Okay, but Magic and Bill over LeBron.
Steph over ... ? No way. Stephen Curry is only 28 years old. His legacy is far from being over. He is in consideration though, right? After all, we are in a completely different era of basketball. You live by the three, you die by the three.
Just ask the Warriors. (Too soon?)
It seems pointless to argue who is the GOAT... I say Kobe and get ridiculed for it.
So, plot twist. Towards the very end of this basketball season, the good 'ol "Showtime" Lakers (shoutout to Jerry Buss) were brought into a debate. Could the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors defeat the Magic Johnson led Showtime Los Angeles Lakers?
I wish I could have witnessed such a beautiful era.
I think we should narrow down the circumstances. It is simple actually, Showtime Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors... No referees. It would only be fair.
Klay Thompson said his Warriors were better. Magic said that his Showtime Lakers "would beat the Warriors."
Klay's father, Mychal Thompson, said that three points beats two points and that it truly is a new era. He is right.
BUT, according to Byron Scott, the new era does not matter. It is no secret that the way of the officials have waived since way back when. Byron Scott said, "We could play the 80s rules, or we could play the rules of 2015-16 as well."
Let us take the Warriors off the hot seat (They have been through enough, don't you think?) I am willing to call up some of these 'superstars' and get this thing going, aren't you?
What do you think LeBron would say? What do you think any of these new-era-NBA superstars would say to a challenge like this? I mean, there is barely any of them playing in the Rio Olympics, do you think they would be down for a good 'ol old fashioned street ball showdown?
Could LeBron survive with no refs? Who will he turn to?
Let us make this interesting... Are you all down to see a best-of-seven series? Fatigue and physicality will play a part in this because these playoffs series never use to take a whole three weeks to complete. For instance, Game 1 of this year's NBA Finals began on June 2 and ended on June 19. In 1970, Game 1 began on April 24 and wrapped up on May 8. Playing two games back-to-back in today's NBA Playoffs is unheard of.
The guys of today's NBA may be struggling to play a couple of games back-to-back.
Shoot, I have never even heard of so many players taking breaks for "rest" so many times throughout the season. (For the sake of keeping the peace, we shall not name names.)
Now, I am not saying that these old timers could keep up with the pace of the three-pointer or match the athleticism of the LeBron James' of the league. But I am also not making the conclusion that the New Age 'basketballers' could keep up with the physical play of those like the Showtime Lakers, the Larry Birds of that era, the Michael Jordans.
The next question to address is when do we separate the eras. For example, which team will Kobe be playing on? Allen Iverson? Ray Allen? I definitely do not feel as though Kobe should be counted in the new era. So maybe we should say those who were drafted after the year 2000 go in the new era category? This means that the original "Big Three" of the Boston Celtics will be playing alongside Black Mamba, Magic, Michael, Larry, AI, Timmy D, and Dirk.
I honestly think that those of the 1996 NBA Draft could beat those of this new age... Am I crazy? Or just realistic?
Do you guys truly believe that those of the new era would even agree to this match up? I mean, they might not if their contracts are not getting maxed out or anything.
The Ben Simmons' of the NBA world... Is that really what it is about to come down to? I recently read an article where there was a list of the pros and cons of Ben Simmons. Not to throw anyone under the bus, but I see a huge issue in someone when I see a lack of passion in them. This was something that was under Simmons' list of cons: A lack of passion.
Now, this does not mean that I question the passion of every single player in this new era of basketball. Although this latest free agency FRENZY was enough for someone to second guess a lot. Is it all about the money or are they just willing to go anywhere in order to play the game that they love?
I guess when it comes down to it, I would love to see where the love and loyalty really lies.
When I say "those guys," I mean those of the 70s, the 80s, and 90s.
Those guys never felt as though they needed to max out their contract in order to be happy playing basketball. It was not about the money.
Hey, I am all about making sure you get what is yours and getting what you deserve, but if taking a pay cut means that the next big thing will be joining your squad and your odds of winning a Championship (you know, the whole goal) become higher, why not just do it?
Again, I am not one to speak on this from experience... Just solely from a fan perspective who loves to see the passion and the desire in athletes by simply watching them play. The passion that I see in Tim Duncan (the man willing to play for less than $10 mil), Coach Pop, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker gives me life. Those guys are soon to be on their way out of this great league and it is heartbreaking. You would be lying to yourself if you did not say it is sad to see this last portion of that era leave.
To finally draw up a conclusion... Old age beat new age. Any day. At any time. New rules or old rules, I do not see that playing a part.
Just a side note for fun, what do you think made me write this?
No, it was not this year's Finals series... That is a whole other blog post.
If you know me, you know that it was Kobe's retirement.
Plus I just cannot help but think of what a beautiful matchup this would be if all players were in their prime.
Let us take the Warriors off the hot seat (They have been through enough, don't you think?) I am willing to call up some of these 'superstars' and get this thing going, aren't you?
What do you think LeBron would say? What do you think any of these new-era-NBA superstars would say to a challenge like this? I mean, there is barely any of them playing in the Rio Olympics, do you think they would be down for a good 'ol old fashioned street ball showdown?
Could LeBron survive with no refs? Who will he turn to?
Remember, no referees.
Let us make this interesting... Are you all down to see a best-of-seven series? Fatigue and physicality will play a part in this because these playoffs series never use to take a whole three weeks to complete. For instance, Game 1 of this year's NBA Finals began on June 2 and ended on June 19. In 1970, Game 1 began on April 24 and wrapped up on May 8. Playing two games back-to-back in today's NBA Playoffs is unheard of.
The guys of today's NBA may be struggling to play a couple of games back-to-back.
Shoot, I have never even heard of so many players taking breaks for "rest" so many times throughout the season. (For the sake of keeping the peace, we shall not name names.)
Remember when Kobe shot free throws with a torn achilles? Hm.
Now, I am not saying that these old timers could keep up with the pace of the three-pointer or match the athleticism of the LeBron James' of the league. But I am also not making the conclusion that the New Age 'basketballers' could keep up with the physical play of those like the Showtime Lakers, the Larry Birds of that era, the Michael Jordans.
The next question to address is when do we separate the eras. For example, which team will Kobe be playing on? Allen Iverson? Ray Allen? I definitely do not feel as though Kobe should be counted in the new era. So maybe we should say those who were drafted after the year 2000 go in the new era category? This means that the original "Big Three" of the Boston Celtics will be playing alongside Black Mamba, Magic, Michael, Larry, AI, Timmy D, and Dirk.
I honestly think that those of the 1996 NBA Draft could beat those of this new age... Am I crazy? Or just realistic?
Do you guys truly believe that those of the new era would even agree to this match up? I mean, they might not if their contracts are not getting maxed out or anything.
The Ben Simmons' of the NBA world... Is that really what it is about to come down to? I recently read an article where there was a list of the pros and cons of Ben Simmons. Not to throw anyone under the bus, but I see a huge issue in someone when I see a lack of passion in them. This was something that was under Simmons' list of cons: A lack of passion.
Now, this does not mean that I question the passion of every single player in this new era of basketball. Although this latest free agency FRENZY was enough for someone to second guess a lot. Is it all about the money or are they just willing to go anywhere in order to play the game that they love?
I know. It is still weird to me, too.
I guess when it comes down to it, I would love to see where the love and loyalty really lies.
When I say "those guys," I mean those of the 70s, the 80s, and 90s.
Those guys never felt as though they needed to max out their contract in order to be happy playing basketball. It was not about the money.
Hey, I am all about making sure you get what is yours and getting what you deserve, but if taking a pay cut means that the next big thing will be joining your squad and your odds of winning a Championship (you know, the whole goal) become higher, why not just do it?
Again, I am not one to speak on this from experience... Just solely from a fan perspective who loves to see the passion and the desire in athletes by simply watching them play. The passion that I see in Tim Duncan (the man willing to play for less than $10 mil), Coach Pop, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker gives me life. Those guys are soon to be on their way out of this great league and it is heartbreaking. You would be lying to yourself if you did not say it is sad to see this last portion of that era leave.
"Baby, please don't goooooo!"
To finally draw up a conclusion... Old age beat new age. Any day. At any time. New rules or old rules, I do not see that playing a part.
Just a side note for fun, what do you think made me write this?
No, it was not this year's Finals series... That is a whole other blog post.
If you know me, you know that it was Kobe's retirement.
Plus I just cannot help but think of what a beautiful matchup this would be if all players were in their prime.
Out with the old... In with the new I assume.
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