I am so sick and tired of watching exciting basketball.
You know the type: An up-tempo style featuring high-flying, acrobatic dunks and long-range three point bombs.
That brand of hoops usually means final scores like 132-127, 3-4 players with 20+ points, and the team possessing the ball last scoring and winning. Well, I've simply had it with all of heart-pounding, adrenaline-drenched action.
Give me a slow-down, half-court, Dick Bennett era Wisconsin Badger-esque methodical, deliberate game. Give me final scores like 86-85. Give me 3-4 players (on each team) fouling out.
Give me the last point of the game scored at the 1:26 mark. I crave it. I long for it. I am sitting with bated breath on the edge of my seat for it. I'm a "boring basketball" junkie and I need my fix now.
So why am I so enraptured with this unwatchable style of basketball? Why do I wish to see flopping and hacking permeate my NBA games?
Why do I treat the words "fast break" with the same disdain as George Carlin's "Seven Words You Can't Say on TV"? The answer is quite simple:
Because it wins bleeping championships!
If you don't believe me, look at the modern day facts:
Phoenix Suns GM Jerry Colangelo decided to trade for Steve Nash and build the team around his strengths—running the fast break, finding open big men for thunderous dunks, and getting sharp-shooters clear looks at threes.
Colangelo did indeed turn the Suns into one of the most exciting teams in the NBA's recent history.
But that's about all he accomplished.
Now, Nash—who never could shut down his opponent—is aging fast. Amare Stoudemire (who put up 25 points and 10 boards every game) usually surrendered 30 and 13 to whoever he was guarding.
Shawn Marion—the most underrated part of the Suns' offensive machine—was traded to Miami along with his defensive prowess, rebounding, and unselfishness for Shaquille O'Neal.
Shaq—who was acquired for his ability to defend the post (which he never really did in his prime, either)—showed that he didn't have much left in the tank as the Suns were once again trounced by (who else?) the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the 2008 playoffs.
Phoenix is a team in flux. Their championship window, if not closed already, is open roughly about the same distance between Shaq's shoes and the hardwood when he "leaps" for a rebound.
They never could get by the Spurs, and that's how Mike D'Antoni (who has since fled to New York) will be remembered by NBA fans.
Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo—Jerry's son—decided that he would attempt the same philosophy when he left to take over Toronto.
He traded for a point guard in T.J. Ford who was a threat to paralyze himself every time he stepped on the court.
He signed guys like Jorge Garbajosa, Andrea Bargnani, and Anthony Parker to shoot, run, and score with Ford and Jose Calderon running the show.
But where did that get Toronto? Two consecutive first round playoff exits.
4 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Borgs Clark about 1 year ago
Iverson is nowhere near what any astute judge would call an "excellent defender", Eric. Even if he were to pay enough mind to that side of the ball, he's too small to be an effective stopper. And I would only grade Camby's defense as decent, given that he's a bit lean, is regularly chumped by respectable post scorers and prone to fouls. A great rebounder and weak-side helper, of course.
Mere technicalities, but an otherwise very well written article. I agree with the overriding sentiment. Bucks fans have suffered long enough. Bring back the drudgery!
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Eric Balkman about 1 year ago
I understand the criticism of Iverson's defensive abilities. Remember though, he did lead the league in steals in the 2001-02 season, and has come close to accomplishing that feat again several times. Iverson's defensive awareness is indeed not among the upper echelon of the NBA, but he is able to get several swipes per game due to his small stature, too. He--along with many of the Nuggets--play a "gambling" style of defense which CAN wreak havoc on opposing teams, if they are not prepared to handle it.
How can you say Marcus Camby is not an excellent defender? He has been selected to the NBA's All-Defensive second team twice, first team twice, and won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2006-07! "Decent" defenders do not garner these types of accolades. I blame George Karl's philosophy on coaching--never being a stickler for defense--more than anything else on that Denver team. They have the athletes to play D, they just choose to gamble instead.
Thanks for the Kind words, though Borgs--I always appreciate people reading my stuff!
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Jeremy Millard about 1 year ago
Eric, I completely agree with you that Iverson's defensive success comes in large part to his smaller stature. He also wants to score so badly that he is sometimes reckless on the defensive end in an attempt to get the fast break. The great thing about basketball is there are four other guys on the court to help stop the ball if he comes up empty. I want to thank you for opening my eyes to slow, "unwatchable" basketball. I've always been a fan of fast pace, three pointers every possession, run until you puke basketball until this past college season. Did the Badgers really get as far as they did with that style of basketball? I still have a hard time believing it. It did intrigue me enough, however, to awaken me to a style of basketball that reaches back to the "good ol' days" of the game.
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Eric Balkman about 1 year ago
It is pretty brutal to watch, but I have no problem enjoying "unwatchable" basketball when it translates to wins for my team. And in the NBA right now, brutal, tough-nosed, defense-based basketball is what wins.
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