I agree with THE DREAM. You are totally right, the talents are there, it's the games that change. Ask yourself a couple of these questions: when was the last time you see a 7 footer that can dribble down the court and shoot the 3 like Dirk? when was the last time you see a 7 footer who can play all 5 positions effectively like Kevin Garnett? when was the last time you see a fundamental player that get the job done without scoring 20pts and grabbing 10 rebound like Tim Duncan? when was the last time you see a 6'10" dunking machine like Amare Stourdemire? when was the last time you see a 7'1, 350 lbs, moving like a cannon ball on the court? when was the last time you see a 7'5" moving his feet and scoring over anybody, and beginining to dominate in the paint during the Ming Dynasty? when was the last time you see a defensive player like Ben Wallace winning 4 DPOY awards? when was the last time you see a hard-nose little guard that can score on anybody like Allen Iverson? when was the last time you see a 21-years-old muscular beast that is a tripple-thread on every games he plays like Lebron James? when was the last time you see a lighting quick guard that is so fast, quick, and strong that he can dunk in your face when he drove to the basket like D-Wade? when was the last time you see a clutch player who can score 81-games, 62pts in just 3 quarters like Kobe Bryant? Some of those names you count up equal to guys like MJ, Karl Malone, Larry Bird, Issiah Thomas, Oscar Robinson, Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, Bill Russel. So yes I think this generation talents are actually better than the '90 or '80 when all set and done.
The problem with this analysis is the key is whether the teams are better, not the players. The teams of the '80s were definitely better. The Cavs, Nuggets, and Bucks never even made the Finals but were very good teams. The role players were better. Individually, you can get worked up about the new talent, but the teams do not compare. Remember too that the game today is played looser, there is more walking and palming. Someone was complaining about "hand-checking"; well hand-checking has always been against the rules according to the official rule book. Thank goodness they are starting to enforce the rule book.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Run BJM:</div><div class="quote_post">In an NCAA game if the ball goes to a star player they are going to try to make a play but in the NBA you give the ball to Manu, Arenas, Kobe, Dirk, or whoever and they jump into a defender and throw their hands into the air and they get the call most of the time. I'd much rather watch Adam Morrison, Len Powe, or Brandon Roy who works their ass off to get a shot and aren't determined to get to the free throw line every time they get the ball.</div> That's the thing, in the NCAA nobody is proven yet. You could be thinkin your watching a star, but might be watchin the next Harold Minor. I also don't like the band and the little teenie boppers in the crowd, it's a tad bit too kiddie for me. Especially with the players crying after a loss I'd rather see the best of the best play at the highest level. NCAA can't touch the NBA
