Why don't guys fight anymore?

[The4thHorseman]

Because players care more about $$$ than winning games. That’s why players now sit out games to “rest”. MJ would have never sat out a game for “rest”.

MJ sat out almost 2 full seasons to rest.

[SeattleJazzFan]

it doesn't take a genius to understand today's players and coaches are smarter now than they have been. they are taking shots from the most efficient places on the floor, etc. the lack of fighting is just an extension of that - when you fight, you get kicked out, suspended and you hurt your team. fighting is dumb for that reason.

[metafisical]

There is a place for gentlemanly fighting without hostile intent that could work in the NBA. Look at these fights in the NHL. In some cases, the players negotiate a fight and give kudos to each other afterwards.

Watch on YouTube

[Jadoogar]

I'm implying, for people too young to know different like yourself, prior to your age it was completely tolerated and not discouraged. It was a different culture.

Other than that.... what the actual ****, no, I didn't say bullying and fighting should be encouraged but what a wonderful invention of what I wrote.

You used it as justification for the people in here asking for more fighting in sports. Who cares if it was more tolerable 30 years ago? Why would you yearn to go back to that culture?

The culture was different. That is three times I've said it, hopefully the dime drops this time.

I used it as the logical reason why people fight less all around, not justification for more fighting. And it IS the reason.

Yearn to go back? Again... what a wonderful invention of what I wrote. If you find it offensive that your generation was raised with less fighting and bullying for some wierd reason, too bad. It's a fact.

Culture was different is not an excuse for people asking for more fighting.

[rzzzzz]

he might have been too emotional and immature at that stage, but Chocolate Thunder was not an idiot.
I read several very interesting quotes from him over the years, showing a wide perspective on things that former players usually don't have.

Granted, he later had some modest success with the Nets and even went on to coach a little, away from the pros. Seemed like a nice man. But as Chamberlain said in a letter he wrote the Philly Press, the young Dawkins had the physique and athleticism to dominate, but lacked the curiosity and drive to make himself a serious competitor when he had the chance. Same with Lloyd B. and Jellybean, at that critical juncture. (Jellybean’s kid followed a much more successful apprenticeship.)

[Doctor MJ]

In the 80's & 90's there were tons of on court fights. What happened? Are guys just too soft nowadays? Could you imagine Twitter if guys still fought. Hell, the Embiid KAT air boxing fight a few years back was huge and nothing really happened. Would it behoove the NBA to encourage guys to brawl a bit for entertainment purposes?

1. Basketball is more popular than any combat sport so it might be wiser to ask if MMA should incorporate a ball if you're looking for ways to improve the popularity of one sport using the superior marketability of the other.

2. Historically I'd argue that there have been 2 big moments of NBA violence that have caused massive crack downs:

1st, when Kermit Washington hit Rudy T in the '70s, nearly killed him, and ruined the career of a vastly superior player.

2nd, Ron Artest went into the stands and started punching innocent fans in the Malice at the Palace in '03-04.

I'll also note the throughline of a more powerful Black man attacking a less powerful white man who was not looking or expecting to be in a fight.

What you're nostalgiac for isn't actually the Golden Age of NBA fighting but an intermediate part of the journey as basketball evolved from what was often quite literally cage fighting - basketball players used to be known as "cagers" for a reason - to a game of emphasizing skill with the basketball.

[jazzed77]

nba players probably throw punches with their thumb tucked inside their fist

This literally made me lol....I completely picture it being true

[Coachcavplaya23]

At the end of the day, this version of the league is weak. Their idea of fighting or a brawl is pushing and shoving. Any hit on an offensive player is a foul.

Also, there is no intensity or anger. Everyone is considered a friend or a buddy. There is no hatred or rivalries anymore.

I work in a gym and I see kids/teens flopping and aruging over fouls in pickup games. Where do you think they got that example from? Hell at that age i got tackled on the court and never called fouls.

Yeah i am the old man yelling at the clouds. I admit it. Not ashamed.

[TravisScott55]

After Ron Artest jumped into the stands the image of a 80 percent black league needed to be fixed immediately.

[Capn'O]

It's not fighting per se. It's just entertaining to watch a game where the players are into the rivalry deep enough to get heated. Where the whole atmosphere of the event is antagonistic. From the fan's seat, that's a fun watch.

Knicks/Heat and Knicks/Pacers HATED each other even though Pat and Mourning were BFFs off the court. As a fan, being part of that environment was great. No better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than watching them go toe to toe.

[Braggins]

Pretty funny how many people in this thread are trying to equate not engaging in pointless violence with being weak or unmanly. The insecurity is really transparent.

[ThePersianFreak]

Because NBA is a global league unlike NFL and NHL. And believe me when i say it, In most countries, fighting is just stupid and not an act of toughness.

[LakersLegacy]

Watch on YouTube

At 1:18 see future MVP Barkley and 3xMVP Moses Malone hold 3xMVP Larry Bird while 3xMVP Dr J sucker punches him.

This is the 10xMVP fight. We will never see 4 different MVPs fight like that.

[JonFromVA]

In the 80's & 90's there were tons of on court fights. What happened? Are guys just too soft nowadays? Could you imagine Twitter if guys still fought. Hell, the Embiid KAT air boxing fight a few years back was huge and nothing really happened. Would it behoove the NBA to encourage guys to brawl a bit for entertainment purposes?

Can you also imagine an 8 year old in the stands getting caught up and injured because of a player brawl?

After the "Malice in the Palace" a lot of people started imagining things like that.

End of story.

[Jkam31]

because it's completely stupid.

Than stop that fake hold me back bull **** that they always do they all know know when hit anyone at anytime yet push and shove like little kids. **** the hell ip and throw hands or stop with the whole act

[h4rrison]

because it's completely stupid.

Than stop that fake hold me back bull **** that they always do they all know know when hit anyone at anytime yet push and shove like little kids. **** the hell ip and throw hands or stop with the whole act

Nah man, you need to understand that every player knows its not worth the fight and lose +$50K from their paychecks (don't give me that.. they get paid millions BS... $50K is a lot of money for anyone).

Players get heated in the moment and would (for the most part) be down to fight but know in hindsight, its not worth it.. so having good teammates in the way to stop the fights is generally preferred.

[floppymoose]

We have UFC for that.

[Jkam31]

Players are all friends now. They'd rather team up than fight.

They’d rather team up than compete forgot the fighting part thanks lebron

[LAKESHOW]

Cause they're scared to get Hit

[Jkam31]

because it's completely stupid.

Might be stupid, but it would absolutely get huge ratings. You're lyin if you're telling me you wouldn't watch a fight highlight between Durant & Westbrook.

dude, have you seen NBA players fight? There's a reason there has been maybe 3 punches landed in the past 40 years. These guys are good at basketball, but they suck at fighting.

Now if you want to have a PPV where James Johnson squares off in a MMA cage with both Morris twins at the same time I'd be all over that.

But I was told Zion can beat the **** out of McGregor