Well, Billups was their #1, and he won MVP in the Finals. He was that good. I think they were a better team than the KG/Pierce/Allen team that won it. Their superstars sacrificed stats for winning (made all those finals and ECFs). Doesn't make them lesser players.
Hell no. Hell no. Hell no. and Ben Wallace's defense is overrated. He was not a great man defender. I'd take Kevin Garnett on defense over him.
I'm not going to attempt to argue with Denny, because I spent a good hour trying to argue his definition of a "pass first point guard", so trying to argue his definition of a "superstar" will prove equally fruitless.
Just because he won a finals MVP doesn't make him a superstar. Tony parker has one and he isn't a superstar. The team that wins the finals is the team that gets the finals MVP too, just works that way no matter how good the other teams players were. To compare them to the 07 Celtics or any of the big 3 teams and say they were better is something I just can't see. 07 the celtics won 66 games and 08 they started out 27-2 (best starting record ever) and would likely have won it all again if KG hadn't been injured and then shelved. The worst of the big 3 (Ray allen imo) is better then whatever play you want to say was the best player on the 04 pistons. Wallace is a great defender but KG is a better defender and probably the best or second best PF defender of all time.
I more "like" the NBA than "love" it now-a-days, but it's probably been that way since they traded Clyde. As for the refs and the WWF-ication of the the game, yeah it's definitely taken some of my interest out of the game, but I still watch because every now and then I see something really amazing.
well, last nighs game removes the question of if the NBA is rigged or not. That has become ovbious. I still love BBall, but am disgusted with the nba
I don't watch much other games other than the Blazers. I use to be a big fan of the NBA, but with superteams forming and the WWE refs, my interest has gone down to just the Blazers. I think the Blazers can win a championship, they have the right pieces currently, but it is now up to Neil Olshey and crew to find the missing pieces. A core of Lillard, Batum, and Aldridge is nice. Find a defensive minded center who rebounds (if he isn't a stiff on offense even better) and a 6th man or just more decent bench role players. Of course if Aldridge demands to be traded, then I may give up hope of the Blazers ever winning because then eventually it will be Lillard and any other studs we get.
FYI, since stern took over as commissioner; only higher market teams win the title. Good news though... That little fucking cock sucking midget is retiring. Hopefully the new commish makes drastic changes that will equal the playing field.
I doubt it. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. They've got a system in place and I doubt they'll mess with it.
Billups had 20+ PER 5 times and 18+ PER another 5 times in his career. I don't penalize the guy for turning it up a notch in the playoffs, which is what superstars do, no? The Pistons went to the Finals or ECF six straight seasons, and played back to back finals with the guys I say are superstars. Something the KG/Pierce/Allen celtics didn't come close to equalling.
Before he goes Sterno should be forced to take the stand and defend himself for the crimes he's committed against the game, answer to the fans who have made the NBA what it is today.
i only watch blazers and key games on intl leaguepass. for me, it's definitely lessened. the late 80's and 90's were just such a great time for the NBA. i miss the love i had for it then and i just cant seem to get the buzz back. although in saying that, my blazer interest is still strong and getting dame has certainly boosted it again.
[/QUOTE] superstars are made in the media [/QUOTE] [/QUOTE] I doubt it. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. They've got a system in place and I doubt they'll mess with it. [/QUOTE] I 100% agree but that won't happen. After 20 years of season tickets I am finally out after this year. My rep calls me 2-3 a week for the past two weeks. I don't even return her calls.Stern grew this game from $100 million to $5 BILLION annual sales over the past 30 years. The next commissioner will follow the same path and teams like Portland Utah Indian will be a good story or runner up but that will be the end of this show. Think about it LBJ couldn't win in Cleveland. How far are we from that team.... Keep on dreaming.
Because I grew up playing the game everyday of my life and watching my faves on TV! Hung there posters on my walls and wore their shoes......... I LOVE the NBA no matter what. And no, I don't think my Blazers will ever win another title in my lifetime. Just not the type of market to attract or keep superstars. I love the game so much that tonight was our kids school auction. While I was there I recorded 4 games tonight that I'm going to watch. Utah v LAC/ATL v Milw/ Hou v Wash/ Clev v Orl! I LOVE THIS GAME!
Finally a voice of reason. I don't get this thread... Why do I watch the NBA? The same reason I post here - I love basketball. If you want to start a thread about conspiracy theories, go for it, but don't give it the title "Why do you watch the NBA?"
Conspiracy theories? FACT: the NBA favors superstars more than any other league. FACT: superstars favor playing in major cities such as NY, LA, etc Why do I watch the NBA? Because it's the only game in town and I've been watching since I was a little kid. But do I think the Blazers will ever win another championship? Probably not. Like HCP said, not in our lifetime. How fucked up is that? In the NFL there is always a chance that any team could catch fire and shock the world. In MLB it's the same way. The freakin Florida Marlins won TWO World Series. I would love to get an NHL team here, simply because I'm ready for an alternative. Loving basketball and loving the NBA are two different things. They are not necessarily linked.
I see bits and pieces of my answer spread throughout the others answers. It's all I've known since I was a kid and there was always the Blazers and never a close second. There was a time when I loved the NBA but I can't say that so much any more. Finally getting on board with league pass has grown my love of the Blazers and Lillard is amazing and sometimes all I watch some games. I want so so bad to believe that we can win a championship but so so many things beyond our control have to go right so I just don't see it. But somehow even believing that I can't give up hope that maybe just maybe the stars will align someday and will have the same specialness of a child being born. Go Blazers until I die.
