"I hate the NBA"

[MU82]

Those who dismiss the NBA because of whatever reason -- too many tattoos? -- missed a heck of a series between the Clippers and the Spurs.

Saturday night's Game 7 was an instant classic. Chris Paul put on a performance under extreme physical discomfort that rivaled Jordan's "food poisoning game." His winning shot is one of the greatest I've ever seen, and I've seen thousands of basketball games.

Yes, a January NBA game between the Timberwolves and Kings can be unwatchable. As can hundreds of games on the college schedule every month.

The main advantage college basketball has over the NBA is the passion of the fans and the all-out effort of the players. But that disparity disappears once the playoffs arrive. NBA players and coaches are superior in every way to their college counterparts (for obvious reasons), so when they play with this level of motivation, it's pretty fun to watch.

I have seen numerous incredible performances already, and the first round just ended. I'm looking forward to some more great stuff, especially in the Bulls-Cavs series.

I'm not a fan of either the Bulls or Cavs, but I love watching great players perform on a big stage, regardless of sport. Watching LeBron go at Jimmy -- that alone -- will be worth the time I invest.

Then again, I don't hate the NBA.

[GGGG]

The biggest problem with the NBA (like MLB) is that the regular season just has too many games.  It dates back from when the home gate meant a lot in terms of revenue.  But that is why you get a lot of sleepy games during the year, and why even the good regular season games are like sparring matches until the fourth quarter.  My guess is that if they could do it over, the regular season would be about 50-60 games.  

As much as I love the NCAA tournament, the NBA playoffs really are incredible in terms of quality of basketball.

(To be fair, I don't think those who prefer college basketball do so because of tatoos.  They like the pageantry and tradition of the college game, similar to those who prefer college football to the NFL.)

[jsglow]

The biggest problem with the NBA (like MLB) is that the regular season just has too many games.  It dates back from when the home gate meant a lot in terms of revenue.  But that is why you get a lot of sleepy games during the year, and why even the good regular season games are like sparring matches until the fourth quarter.  My guess is that if they could do it over, the regular season would be about 50-60 games.  

As much as I love the NCAA tournament, the NBA playoffs really are incredible in terms of quality of basketball.

(To be fair, I don't think those who prefer college basketball do so because of tatoos.  They like the pageantry and tradition of the college game, similar to those who prefer college football to the NFL.)

+1

NBA playoff basketball is absolutely fantastic.  Too bad the regular season has to be done on cruise control but I think we all understand why.  Hockey has the exact same issue, maybe even more so.

[ChicosBailBonds]

We were at yesterday's game at Staples Center.  First NBA game I've gone to in awhile.  It was a terrific game, one of the best games I have been to in years.  Was fortunate that a producer friend of mine and Clippers season ticket holder was in Vegas for the fight, so he gave the tickets to my daughter, wife and I. We had a great time.  Wonderful time.

Video quality poor....need to click on HD option in the settings for better resolution

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/4flzYYvXIoQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/4flzYYvXIoQ</a>

Having said that, I still had to witness the stupidity of one of the worst rules in any sport which is the advancement of the ball to half court.  Twice in the last 10 seconds, once by each team.  So incredibly stupid.  Can you imagine in baseball near the end of a game where a rule would be in play where we can just put a runner out on second base for having done nothing?  Or in football, we call timeout and instead of being at your own 20, you get to to move it to the 50...just cuz.  I know why they do it, for the excitement of having a chance to score in little time, but it takes away the great play the other team just did.  It is ludicrous.  

I am one that has also said that playoff basketball is so much better than regular season basketball, which is dull, boring, players aren't committed until the end of the game.  The regular season NBA is horrible in my opinion, but that's just my opinion.  

Also, I don't want the college game becoming like the NBA game.  The talent levels are so different that forcing the college kids to do what NBA talent is doing, or playing by NBA rules is a fool's errand in my view.

Doc Rivers said after the game that this series was pure basketball, no fights, no thug ball, just pure basketball. Guess what, that's why it was enjoyable.  So many of these other games, including this playoffs, are not that way.


Tonight I'm going to the Ducks playoff hockey game, which I enjoy that much more.  In hockey they bring it every night, regular season, playoffs, etc...that is part of their DNA.  I'll take playoff hockey over any other sport 7 days a week.  Not even a discussion.

[ChicosBailBonds]

+1

NBA playoff basketball is absolutely fantastic.  Too bad the regular season has to be done on cruise control but I think we all understand why.  Hockey has the exact same issue, maybe even more so.

I agree on NBA cruise control.  Could not disagree more on the hockey comment.  The hitting, checking, physicality of hockey is brought each and every night.  So many more players that have to bust their butts each night to stay in the league, unlike the NBA where 95% of the players are locked in and can't or won't get sent down. 

[GGGG]

I like the mid-court rule.  There are other sports that have a different set of rules toward the end of the game.  The NFL's timing rules change for instance during the last five minutes.  The MLB has a different set of rules for reviewed calls after the sixth inning.  I think the CFL stops the clock after every play in the last two minutes.  

[ChicosBailBonds]

I like the mid-court rule.  There are other sports that have a different set of rules toward the end of the game.  The NFL's timing rules change for instance during the last five minutes.  The MLB has a different set of rules for reviewed calls after the sixth inning.  I think the CFL stops the clock after every play in the last two minutes.  

Any game that results in territorial defense...hockey, NBA, NFL in which territory is a key to the success of scoring it matters.  This idea that territory no longer matters ONLY occurs in the NBA in this unique situation.  It is beyond bizarre to me.  Clock stoppage is one thing, giving up territory to make it easier to score penalizes one team for no reason whatsoever. 

[martyconlonontherun]

Any game that results in territorial defense...hockey, NBA, NFL in which territory is a key to the success of scoring it matters.  This idea that territory no longer matters ONLY occurs in the NBA in this unique situation.  It is beyond bizarre to me.  Clock stoppage is one thing, giving up territory to make it easier to score penalizes one team for no reason whatsoever. 

I think your are over emphasizing the importance of territory between the full court and half court. That land is hardly ever defended the only reason it matters is a team is allowed to save 4 seconds bring it up. So it isn't about territory but rather the extension of time. Not sure how this is any different that nfl stopping the clock going out of bounds later in the halves? 

[ChicosBailBonds]

I think your are over emphasizing the importance of territory between the full court and half court. That land is hardly ever defended the only reason it matters is a team is allowed to save 4 seconds bring it up. So it isn't about territory but rather the extension of time. Not sure how this is any different that nfl stopping the clock going out of bounds later in the halves? 

Let's use yesterday's game as an example...I don't think I'm overemphasizing it at all.  The Clippers score with 1 second left.  Now, in the college game and every other sport that I'm aware of in the world that has a goal in which to score on and territory to defend, the opposing team would have to go a long way to score.

Instead of the Spurs having to go 94 feet to score (or more likely 65 feet for a decent shot) in 1 second, they attempted an alley oop with 1 second which required about a 35 foot pass.  It failed.  Say they had 2.5 seconds left, they would have run a play that could have received a good look.....if they had to go 2.5 seconds from their own basket that is still incredibly difficult.  I disagree that you say it's more about time.  They go hand in hand.  1 second or 2.5 seconds or even 8 seconds is one part of the equation, but the distance traveled in that alloted time AND to setup a shot is the other equally important factor.  I have a chance with 1 second at half court.  I have almost no chance with 1 second under my own basket.  The odds of success increase the closer I am to the basket, regardless of time.

Don't get me wrong, both teams benefitted as the Clippers got to advance it with 8 seconds left.  No other sport does this for territorial advantange.  You have to earn territory, it isn't rewarded in chunks because you called a timeout. I pray the NCAA game never adopts this ridiculous standard.

[Eldon]

Let's use yesterday's game as an example...I don't think I'm overemphasizing it at all.  The Clippers score with 1 second left.  Now, in the college game and every other sport that I'm aware of in the world that has a goal in which to score on and territory to defend, the opposing team would have to go a long way to score.

Instead of the Spurs having to go 94 feet to score (or more likely 65 feet for a decent shot) in 1 second, they attempted an alley oop with 1 second which required about a 35 foot pass.  It failed.  Say they had 2.5 seconds left, they would have run a play that could have received a good look.....if they had to go 2.5 seconds from their own basket that is still incredibly difficult.  I disagree that you say it's more about time.  They go hand in hand.  1 second or 2.5 seconds or even 8 seconds is one part of the equation, but the distance traveled in that alloted time AND to setup a shot is the other equally important factor.  I have a chance with 1 second at half court.  I have almost no chance with 1 second under my own basket.  The odds of success increase the closer I am to the basket, regardless of time.

Don't get me wrong, both teams benefitted as the Clippers got to advance it with 8 seconds left.  No other sport does this for territorial advantange.  You have to earn territory, it isn't rewarded in chunks because you called a timeout. I pray the NCAA game never adopts this ridiculous standard.

2015-16 meme watch

Territorial Advantage

[JWags85]

I agree on NBA cruise control.  Could not disagree more on the hockey comment.  The hitting, checking, physicality of hockey is brought each and every night.  So many more players that have to bust their butts each night to stay in the league, unlike the NBA where 95% of the players are locked in and can't or won't get sent down. 

There is probably only 10% of an NHL roster at max that is being sent up or down.  A third line winger for the Hawks playing well might get dropped to 4th line or get benched, but he's not getting sent down to Rockford.  NHL teams rest goalies like NBA teams sit stars.  The physical nature of the game makes it seem different, but NHL players are not 100% every game for 82 games.  It would be nonsensical.  The hockey players are more competitive than other sports meme needs to die.

[GGGG]

Any game that results in territorial defense...hockey, NBA, NFL in which territory is a key to the success of scoring it matters.  This idea that territory no longer matters ONLY occurs in the NBA in this unique situation.  It is beyond bizarre to me.  Clock stoppage is one thing, giving up territory to make it easier to score penalizes one team for no reason whatsoever. 

The NFL's timing rules aren't a "territorial advantage," but it is a change that allows more plays to be run toward the end of the game.  In that way, it is just like the NBA rule.

Logically it doesn't make sense, but I like it.

[jsglow]

I agree on NBA cruise control.  Could not disagree more on the hockey comment.  The hitting, checking, physicality of hockey is brought each and every night.  So many more players that have to bust their butts each night to stay in the league, unlike the NBA where 95% of the players are locked in and can't or won't get sent down. 

Really?  So that's why we see teams turn it on once April rolls around?  You really think the Blackhawks play at 100% before the playoffs? 

[ChicosBailBonds]

There is probably only 10% of an NHL roster at max that is being sent up or down.  A third line winger for the Hawks playing well might get dropped to 4th line or get benched, but he's not getting sent down to Rockford.  NHL teams rest goalies like NBA teams sit stars.  The physical nature of the game makes it seem different, but NHL players are not 100% every game for 82 games.  It would be nonsensical.  The hockey players are more competitive than other sports meme needs to die.

As someone who spent years working with all the major professional leagues, worked for a professional baseball and NHL team, still has many friends with the NFL, NBA, etc....I strongly disagree.

The NFL guys bring it each game because the season is short and the ability to be cut is easy.  The NHL guys also bring it because they have to due to the nature of the game itself.  If you aren't hitting or your head on a swivel, you will get hurt.   The NBA....going through the motions for way too many games.  So much so we got NBA teams parking star players on the bench for chunks of the season it is so uneventful.  Does that happen at times in the NHL?  Sure, but not to the same degree.  IMO.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Really?  So that's why we see teams turn it on once April rolls around?  You really think the Blackhawks play at 100% before the playoffs? 

100%...no, but far more than the inadequate push that NBA teams and players do for much of the first half of their season.  Intensity always picks up as you approach the playoffs and once in the playoffs, that's human nature.

If you dog it in a NHL game, you have a good chance of getting hurt.  You can't afford to dog it like some of these guys in the NBA do.   If you dog it in a NBA game you're just playing an NBA game.  IMO

[brandx]

Those who dismiss the NBA because of whatever reason -- too many tattoos? -- missed a heck of a series between the Clippers and the Spurs.

Saturday night's Game 7 was an instant classic. Chris Paul put on a performance under extreme physical discomfort that rivaled Jordan's "food poisoning game." His winning shot is one of the greatest I've ever seen, and I've seen thousands of basketball games.

Yes, a January NBA game between the Timberwolves and Kings can be unwatchable. As can hundreds of games on the college schedule every month.

The main advantage college basketball has over the NBA is the passion of the fans and the all-out effort of the players. But that disparity disappears once the playoffs arrive. NBA players and coaches are superior in every way to their college counterparts (for obvious reasons), so when they play with this level of motivation, it's pretty fun to watch.

I have seen numerous incredible performances already, and the first round just ended. I'm looking forward to some more great stuff, especially in the Bulls-Cavs series.

I'm not a fan of either the Bulls or Cavs, but I love watching great players perform on a big stage, regardless of sport. Watching LeBron go at Jimmy -- that alone -- will be worth the time I invest.

Then again, I don't hate the NBA.

C'mon, man. I thought I was gonna get to disagree here and try to set you straight - but looks like I agree on everything you said.

[ChicosBailBonds]

The NFL's timing rules aren't a "territorial advantage," but it is a change that allows more plays to be run toward the end of the game.  In that way, it is just like the NBA rule.

Logically it doesn't make sense, but I like it.

For giggles.  Do you think if the NFL allowed this, where a team could call timeout and move the ball forward to mid field, how would fans and teams embrace the idea?  Especially if your team had just worked their butts off to go down the field to score?

To each their own, I find it one of the most terrible rules in pro sports.  The 3 to make 2 in the NBA was up there, but they corrected that one. 

[GGGG]

For giggles.  Do you think if the NFL allowed this, where a team could call timeout and move the ball forward to mid field, how would fans and teams embrace the idea?  Especially if your team had just worked their butts off to go down the field to score?

The NFL is different.  NFL defenses defend every yard.  The further the offense advances, the greater the chance to score.  Territory is extremely important.

In the NBA, most of the defenses give up the backcourt.  Territory isn't as important.

Look, it's just a way to maximize possessions at the end of the game.  The NFL does the same thing with the clock changes. 

[tower912]

I like the rule.   I wish college would adopt it. 

[Lennys Tap]

I like the rule.   I wish college would adopt it. 

Likewise

[Jay Bee]

Was fortunate that a producer friend of mine and Clippers season ticket holder was in Vegas for the fight, so he gave the tickets to my daughter, wife and I.

chicos being chicos, aina'l?

[MU82]

I like the rule.   I wish college would adopt it. 

I generally like that there are differences in the pro and college game, and this is another example.

Having said that, I wish college would adopt it whenever Marquette's opponent has just scored the go-ahead hoop with 3 seconds left - ha!

[tower912]

With 3 seconds left and the ball at mid-court, an actual play can be drawn up.    With 3 seconds left and the ball at the other end of the court, it is either going to be a heave and hope (throw the long pass and hope your guy catches it and makes a play), or hit a guard moving toward the basket and hope he hits a heave. 

[jsglow]

100%...no, but far more than the inadequate push that NBA teams and players do for much of the first half of their season.  Intensity always picks up as you approach the playoffs and once in the playoffs, that's human nature.

If you dog it in a NHL game, you have a good chance of getting hurt.  You can't afford to dog it like some of these guys in the NBA do.   If you dog it in a NBA game you're just playing an NBA game.  IMO

I'll buy that.  I suppose what I'll say is that NHL regular season performance seems to diverge from playoff performance more than in the NBA.  I think teams with true Stanley Cup potential NEED to coast a bit because the playoff grind is so intense.  Plenty of NHL regular season pretenders who simply won't be able to up their playoff game.  Does anyone really think the Preds were better than the Hawks this year?  Frankly, the Hawks are just now starting to play hockey.

[Lennys Tap]

The NFL is different.  NFL defenses defend every yard.  The further the offense advances, the greater the chance to score.  Territory is extremely important.

In the NBA, most of the defenses give up the backcourt.  Territory isn't as important.

Look, it's just a way to maximize possessions at the end of the game.  The NFL does the same thing with the clock changes. 

I agree with you on the merits. This is, though, an exceedingly minor point Chico has seized on to explain why he hates the NBA and never watches it (except when he does, like when some rich, important "friend" gives him freebies). And as for regular season games when one team doesn't try, that happens in all sports. And there's actually more incentive to "tank" in the NFL and MLB where the worst record guarantees the highest pick.

Chico is dishonest as to why he really hates the NBA. Here's some of the real reasons on his list:

1. The NBA is too black.
2. The players (who are mostly black) have too much power.

Sports with owners and coaches in control (and the athletes fungible) are more his style.