Yeah that could very well be the case all3.  Just look at what Duke has become.

Posted by all3 on 1/12/2012 11:18:00 AM (view original):
I blame the evolution of the 3-point line.  The main purpose of getting the ball down the court quickly and / or good ball movement is to get a high % shot.  Now that everyone's in love with the 3-ball, there's no desire to do those other things.  I HATE that stupid line and will forever contend that it has creatly damaged the game of basketball in several ways.  (Anybody ever practice anything but dunks and 3's anymore?)

I prefer teams that are more conservative, look for the mid-range jumpers.

That said, the 3-point shot has enhanced the NBA game.  The early millenium Celtics under Jim O'Brien solely made the ECF's because of the 3-point shot.   

It's a discipline.  Look at LBJ and Wade reigning in their 3-point attempts this season in favor of higher percentage shots.  For that paritcular squad, it reasons to argue that is intelligent.  For those fugly Antoine Walker Celtic teams O'B was genius in having that team jack up as many as possible. 

actually the three should in theory open up the mid level shot by forcing the defense to extend itself more

and defense was definitely allowed more luxuries back in the day

so there's something else at work

Posted by all3 on 1/13/2012 11:48:00 AM (view original):
I blame the evolution of the 3-point line.  The main purpose of getting the ball down the court quickly and / or good ball movement is to get a high % shot.  Now that everyone's in love with the 3-ball, there's no desire to do those other things.  I HATE that stupid line and will forever contend that it has greatly damaged the game of basketball in several ways.  (Anybody ever practice anything but dunks and 3's anymore?)

I blame the refs for the down fall of the game.  They've continued to allow guys double dribble, travel, etc.....if that player is a star.  It's dumbed down the game.

Expansion.

ruined the 90s but now?

Its still a diluted product. They havent contracted since the 90s.

no but they've enjoyed an influx of international players and had a couple of the all time great draft classes (2003 for instance has to rank a close second to 1983) - I think the sport has improved considerably from it's late 90s low point

But its still below where it was before that is my point.

if by 'before' you mean the 80s you also have to throw in the salary cap

Actually, the 1984 draft was by far the greatest of all time. The 80's had some horrible teams as well as great teams. Anybody remember the Cleveland Cavaliers of that period? But IMO in genenal the game was much more fun to watch in the 80's. When that "genius" Pat Riley went to the Knicks in the 90's and the Pistons came up with "the Jordan Rules" the game took a few steps backward.

BTW the mastermind behind the Lakers of the 80s, and their running game, was a man by the name of Jack McKinney. He was a former Blazers assistant coach who became essentially disabled in a bike accident after taking the Laker job. Pat Riley gravy trained his way to the top after that idiot Paul Westhead was pretty much fired because he wanted to (believe it or not) slow things down from Mckinney's vision. Magic whined and complained so Westhead got axed and then Riley took over.

Just a bitter Blazer fan. Sorry fellas :(

vancem 1984 draft, I said 1983 but meant 1984 which is definitely #1 BUT I take issue with the phrase 'by far' I think before all is said and done 2003 may be viewed as a worthy contender (for one it's already proven to be a deeper draft)

speaking of drafts I know you're not referring to the Cavs after the 1986 draft because that was the off season they turned it all around laying the ground work for those great teams that had their hearts broken by MJ

and finally you couldnt be more wrong about Magic's role in the Westhead firing (which is a common misconception) - Magic was the last player that spoke up, everyone hated Westhead, the locker room was in revolt, even Kareem was vocal and Buss had to go to Magic to get his opinion and that's according to multiple sources - and guess what? like you said Westhead was an idiot, he had a top 5 all time player in his prime and he didnt know how to use him, he should have been fired and history pretty much bears out Buss's decision

We should go over the 1984  vs 2003 drafts pick by pick just for fun. There was a ton of talent in '84 that is easily forgotten ie Alvin Robertson, Otis Thorpe, and even that bust of a 10th pick Leon Wood gets played in the SIM. 

Yes,  I did mean the Cavs pre 1986. The current rule concerning one team not being able to trade consecutive first round picks was put in place because of another idiot Ted Stepian. I spelled the name wrong I know. That owner ruined the Cavs for several years.

Lets face it once the running system was in place for the Lakers, Norm Nixon was traded for the rights to Byron Scott, Magic was in place as the full time PG, and James Worthy was picked it was basically game over for the rest of the league for most of the 80s era. Yes, Boston got 3 titles in '81, '84 and in '86 but they only beat the Lakers in the finals once. The Houston Rockets teams that the Celtics beat in '81 and in '86 were fairly weak western conference champions IMO. The Lakers beat Boston both in 1985 and in 1987. Plus the Lakers also won in '80, '82, and in '88.

Jerome Kersey, Sam Perkins & Kevin Willis were in that 84 class, too.  That class was way deeper than just Jordan, Dream, Chuck & Stockton (though the 4 of them should be enough to rank it 1st for a long, long time.  Top 5 at each position including the greatest player in the world).

Other guys that made solid contributions for several years... vern fleming, michael cage, jay humphries...

Yeah, 84.  By far.

wow the magic look good