The National Basketball Affectation

Neon Black · Post #1 » by **Neon Black** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 4:58 am

af·fec·ta·tion/ˌafekˈtāSHən/Noun
1. Behavior, speech, or writing that is artificial and designed to impress.

Seriously, this league has become all about hype and pretense. Despite an influx of unique and talented players, it's all about who "the next _______" is. All-star voting is predictable every year. The concept of a team dynamic is only ever referenced as a fashion statement anymore, it's really all about individual flash and accolades. Player comparisons do little to analyze or appreciate a player's playing style and talent.

With this unfortunate development comes the concept of player fandom...fans that follow certain players regardless of their team. He-said She said BS makes up what seems like 45% of the headlines. Players act frustrated with media hype, then do nothing but feed the soap opera with fiasco's like "the decision".

Slam-dunk contest winners are decided by props rather than the difficulty of their actual dunks. Griffin's winning dunk tonight was unimpressive, but he was the decided champion far before the contest even began.

This, to me, is what's sad about the death of the old-school game. I don't mind the faster pace of teams or the increase of 3's. But I hate the drama, the pretense and the overall fake feeling of the league. It feels more like the WWE ever single day.

Sloanfeld · Post #2 » by **Sloanfeld** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 5:16 am

I'm with you, maybe the lockout won't be so bad after all. We need to get away from this crap for a while.

retiredcoach · Post #3 » by **retiredcoach** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 6:26 am

You may not be one of those who likes what the NBA does, I'm not. But they say they try to give the fans what they want.

QuantumMacgyver · Post #4 » by **QuantumMacgyver** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 7:32 am

Couldn't agree more. The league has become a sad joke that everyone, including myself, doesn't want to admit to. Blake Griffin winning tonight was laughable. Should've been McGee vs. Serge. What a damn shame.

MeestR · Post #5 » by **MeestR** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 11:36 am

take it for what it's worth. the arguments are made from the slam dunk contest and the latest headlines.

think about that....

i think back in the day, both dawkins and dr. j were both famous for running their mouths (and i don't think they were the first to be known for what they said to the press). a little while later, charles barkley and micheal jordan said some arrogant things that got people riled up as well. and let's not forget everybody's favorite mailman. melo and lebron are only continuing the tradition aren't they?

the thing that has changed the league for me has been the change in officiating. they wanted to tone down the physicality and prevent things from escalating. but in the process they created an atmosphere of mistrust and inconsistency. if the nba were really serious about changing these things for the better, they would involve the robots a little bit more. (that is, tv, computers, and allowing the coaches to formally question a call)

Matt007b · Post #6 » by **Matt007b** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 5:09 pm

Well said Neon Black...total agreement.

(VENT) :evil:

this league is a joke, highlighting the individual over team play, unfair team spending, all about big name player promotion and $$...it is WWE to some point, who's excited to watch this all-star crap today? Instead spend Christmas morning with kids lets watch the lakers and celtics? Star treatment from refs yet Hayward can't get a call for his life because he's a rookie...(so many problems with this league!)

..I just hope this community doesn't bow down to Deron if he starts a Carmelo situation (another story that makes me ill)

NBA sucks. Only reason I follow the Jazz is hope for change and commissioner sterns worst marketing nightmare to come true, because this small market team plays team basketball. Now that Sloan left it's getting tougher and tougher to follow but honestly I wouldn't lose any sleep if this league went under financially.

(END VENT)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16XCffKwFII[/youtube]

retiredcoach · Post #7 » by **retiredcoach** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 6:56 pm

The only thing that will change the NBA is the fans.

When they stop spending huge money to watch over priced under-educated, arrogant players play a kids game for 3 hours a night, then things will change. Until then it won't.

It's about the money--nothing else. Even the wealthy owners can't carry teams that the fans don't watch on TV or come to the games to see.

If you think the owners, the NBA or the players are thinking about the fans when they negotiate the new CBA agreement forget it! The fans aren't included.

If the fans want change, quit showing up. Then they'll change. It's that simple.

GP · Post #8 » by GP » Sun Feb 20, 2011 8:38 pm

MeestR wrote:i think back in the day, both dawkins and dr. j were both famous for running their mouths (and i don't think they were the first to be known for what they said to the press). a little while later, charles barkley and micheal jordan said some arrogant things that got people riled up as well. and let's not forget everybody's favorite mailman. melo and lebron are only continuing the tradition aren't they?

Agreed. The NBA during the "old school" days was about what its about today. Showmanship. I'd say todays league is a natural progressions from the "old school" days.

I totally agree with what was stated by the OP regarding the dunk contest and allstar game. It was a joke, bringing a car and a choir, absolutely, awful. However, lets keep in mind this is the DUNK CONTEST, when has it really meant anything? Its there to just entertain us, don't take it too seriously. Same with the allstar game, just relax. Its there for the fans, so the fans get to vote for the starter and the coaches vote the bench.

Finally, if you are really that frustrated with the NBA, just don't watch. Watch a movie, go to the park, read a book...ETC. I don't like how MLB is run, so I don't watch it. Simple.

Fido · Post #9 » by **Fido** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:15 pm

Much of what goes on around an event like the dunk contest is much more like a circus than a dunk contest. Even the players looked completely bored and embarrassed when they are standing around doing TV interviews asking how it feels to <insert whatever here>.

I will give Kobe props though. The TV reporter is trying to talk with Carmelo for the "daily Carmelo update" as he is sitting on the bench during the All Star game. As Anthony started to respond with surely what would have been non-answers, Kobe leans in and says Melo can't answer that question. The reporter asks why. Kobe says because "big brother" says so. He repeats that all 3 times the reporter tries to ask and then they go back to the game.

What's next, a reporter running onto the floor to ask the player lining up for a free throw how it feels to be fouled and what the team needs to do next? Sometimes simple is better.don't turn the NBA into a circus and depend on side shows to keep things interesting. That is the first sign that you are delving into overexposure.

HammerDunk · Post #10 » by **HammerDunk** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 8:02 pm

What this league needs is a great big helping of defense. Swing the league back to the defense side, not even that far, and it would be so much better. Quit with the BS ticky tack princess fouls and star treatment, and let people play the game the way it's meant to be played. People will certainly still pay to see the NBA if games were under 100 points every night. Great defense is no longer a thing of the NBA, it's not possible, and that is truly sad.