Playoff Time
I'm feeling chatty tonight and have quite a bit I could blog about, but I'll save it for tomorrow, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc.
So the NBA Playoffs have started. In recent years I have come to loathe the NBA. The style of ball they play is NOT good basketball no matter what NBA Headman David Stern says. Traveling is not called, Shaq can push over anyone and allegations by Ralph Nader and his Consumer Group have questioned the officiating in key games (Kings/Lakers in 2001). Despite the fact I am no longer an NBA fan and don't watch the regular season I do watch the playoffs. I watch only to get upset with the ugliness of the basketball and the fact that the teams don't interest me.
Last year something happened though. The Pistons, with no big stars, won the Championship. Though it was ugly and again, not good basketball, it was refreshing to see team basketball back. That is the answer whenever anyone asks me, "What will it take for you to enjoy the NBA again?" Team basketball, fresh faces, NO MORE WHINING KOBE!! Well, this year we see a lot of new faces in the playoffs. Even the old ones are refreshed. The 76ers are an example of that. They've been there before, but Allen Iverson (whom many are suprised to hear is my favorite NBA star) is playing great and Kyle Korver, an Iowa native, is on the team and playing well. The new faces include probably the biggest reason I'm back on the NBA bandwagon (at least for a bit). The Chicago Bulls. I love the Bulls. Those teams in the 90s were excellent, winning six titles, and becoming Pop Culture Icons. I remember watching every playoff game. Even packing into the Estes Park YMCA main cabin with 100 other people to watch them. I had my B.J. Armstrong jersey, I have their introduction memorized (6'6" from NOorth CAarolina...MICHAEL JOOrdan). Sadly, since 1998 when the Bulls won their last title (on that great shot from MJ)the Bulls have not been back to the Playoffs. Well, here they are with a good, smart coach, some new faces (Hinrich from Sioux City and Jared Reiner who played for Iowa). Who knows, maybe the NBA can be cool again? Or at least until the Bulls are knocked out of the playoffs.
So the NBA Playoffs have started. In recent years I have come to loathe the NBA. The style of ball they play is NOT good basketball no matter what NBA Headman David Stern says. Traveling is not called, Shaq can push over anyone and allegations by Ralph Nader and his Consumer Group have questioned the officiating in key games (Kings/Lakers in 2001). Despite the fact I am no longer an NBA fan and don't watch the regular season I do watch the playoffs. I watch only to get upset with the ugliness of the basketball and the fact that the teams don't interest me.
Last year something happened though. The Pistons, with no big stars, won the Championship. Though it was ugly and again, not good basketball, it was refreshing to see team basketball back. That is the answer whenever anyone asks me, "What will it take for you to enjoy the NBA again?" Team basketball, fresh faces, NO MORE WHINING KOBE!! Well, this year we see a lot of new faces in the playoffs. Even the old ones are refreshed. The 76ers are an example of that. They've been there before, but Allen Iverson (whom many are suprised to hear is my favorite NBA star) is playing great and Kyle Korver, an Iowa native, is on the team and playing well. The new faces include probably the biggest reason I'm back on the NBA bandwagon (at least for a bit). The Chicago Bulls. I love the Bulls. Those teams in the 90s were excellent, winning six titles, and becoming Pop Culture Icons. I remember watching every playoff game. Even packing into the Estes Park YMCA main cabin with 100 other people to watch them. I had my B.J. Armstrong jersey, I have their introduction memorized (6'6" from NOorth CAarolina...MICHAEL JOOrdan). Sadly, since 1998 when the Bulls won their last title (on that great shot from MJ)the Bulls have not been back to the Playoffs. Well, here they are with a good, smart coach, some new faces (Hinrich from Sioux City and Jared Reiner who played for Iowa). Who knows, maybe the NBA can be cool again? Or at least until the Bulls are knocked out of the playoffs.
posted by CKG at
6:14 PM
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