Comments on: Fast Break Thoughts http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/12/fast-break-thoughts-6/ A Lakers Blog. Thoughts, reflections, and the odd rant on the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA (even the Clippers). Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:18:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Rob http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/12/fast-break-thoughts-6/comment-page-1/#comment-13811 Rob Thu, 14 Sep 2006 22:26:21 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/12/fast-break-thoughts-6/#comment-13811 The Lakers had problems on defense last season. Last season the "new rules" were in effect. So I'm not sure how the switch to the new rules is going to make the Lakers defense better on its own. The Lakers had problems on defense last season. Last season the “new rules” were in effect. So I’m not sure how the switch to the new rules is going to make the Lakers defense better on its own.

]]> By: Craig W http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/12/fast-break-thoughts-6/comment-page-1/#comment-13778 Craig W Thu, 14 Sep 2006 13:29:14 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/12/fast-break-thoughts-6/#comment-13778 Andrew, Don't include MJ in the group of 'greats when the NBA was great'. It was MJ who occasioned the slide from more physical basketball and his best 'team' years came as the league started tightening the screws on defensive fouls. This doesn't say MJ wasn't great, just that he was in on that 'downhill slide' to mediocrity. Yes, the game needed to be reigned in - I was a Laker fan throughout the '80s - but the emphasis on the individual and ESPN has led to a 'streeball' mentality by the players. I suspect this is one reason the triangle is becoming harder to teach. Incidentally, Rroland's last comment is telling. This change in the games leaves out almost ALL older guards and established stars when considering defense. Remember the Lakers problems were on defense last year. Mitch's 'low risk, high reward' signings may be part of the wave of the future. In 3/4 years we could be saying what a genius he is. Opps, I forgot, for Los Angeles Mitch - like Kobe nationwide - can't do anything right because he followed Jerry West. You know Gene Bartow was a really crummy coach - he only got UCLA into the tournement, but didn't win it. Andrew,
Don’t include MJ in the group of ‘greats when the NBA was great’. It was MJ who occasioned the slide from more physical basketball and his best ‘team’ years came as the league started tightening the screws on defensive fouls.

This doesn’t say MJ wasn’t great, just that he was in on that ‘downhill slide’ to mediocrity.

Yes, the game needed to be reigned in – I was a Laker fan throughout the ’80s – but the emphasis on the individual and ESPN has led to a ‘streeball’ mentality by the players. I suspect this is one reason the triangle is becoming harder to teach.

Incidentally, Rroland’s last comment is telling. This change in the games leaves out almost ALL older guards and established stars when considering defense. Remember the Lakers problems were on defense last year. Mitch’s ‘low risk, high reward’ signings may be part of the wave of the future. In 3/4 years we could be saying what a genius he is. Opps, I forgot, for Los Angeles Mitch – like Kobe nationwide – can’t do anything right because he followed Jerry West. You know Gene Bartow was a really crummy coach – he only got UCLA into the tournement, but didn’t win it.

]]> By: Roland Lazenby http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/12/fast-break-thoughts-6/comment-page-1/#comment-13770 Roland Lazenby Thu, 14 Sep 2006 11:10:24 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/12/fast-break-thoughts-6/#comment-13770 Great discussion, folks. For the article, Rick Barry told me that the old timers are talking about how many points they would score under today's system. There are things about the new way of calling the game that Barry detests, but he thinks the thuggery, the physical defense, had to be reined in. Dumars, Thorn and Winter agreed on one thing: Now that the suits in the NBA front office have got a formula for increasing scoring, there won't be any turning back. Thorn and Dumars said the players, coaches and GMs will have to adjust to the new rules. Suddenly it has put a premium on extremely quick guards who can stay in front of the guy they're guarding without fouling. Dumars moved ahead of some other slow-to-react GMs by signing a guy like Flip Murray, because of how well he moves his feet. Roland Lazenby author of The Show Great discussion, folks.
For the article, Rick Barry told me that the old timers are talking about how many points they would score under today’s system.
There are things about the new way of calling the game that Barry detests, but he thinks the thuggery, the physical defense, had to be reined in.
Dumars, Thorn and Winter agreed on one thing: Now that the suits in the NBA front office have got a formula for increasing scoring, there won’t be any turning back.
Thorn and Dumars said the players, coaches and GMs will have to adjust to the new rules. Suddenly it has put a premium on extremely quick guards who can stay in front of the guy they’re guarding without fouling. Dumars moved ahead of some other slow-to-react GMs by signing a guy like Flip Murray, because of how well he moves his feet.

Roland Lazenby
author of The Show

]]> By: Andrew S. http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/12/fast-break-thoughts-6/comment-page-1/#comment-13754 Andrew S. Thu, 14 Sep 2006 06:57:12 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/12/fast-break-thoughts-6/#comment-13754 By the way, I made comments #1 and #3... but comment #7 is apparently someone else who shares my first name. I'll add an initial from now on. By the way, I made comments #1 and #3… but comment #7 is apparently someone else who shares my first name. I’ll add an initial from now on.

]]> By: Kevin Pelton http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/12/fast-break-thoughts-6/comment-page-1/#comment-13750 Kevin Pelton Thu, 14 Sep 2006 05:04:02 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/12/fast-break-thoughts-6/#comment-13750 Andrew, can you explain how making the NBA less physical has "dumb(ed) down the game"? Andrew, can you explain how making the NBA less physical has “dumb(ed) down the game”?

]]> By: ian http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/12/fast-break-thoughts-6/comment-page-1/#comment-13746 ian Thu, 14 Sep 2006 03:48:46 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/12/fast-break-thoughts-6/#comment-13746 You're right Andrew. I for one feel that the best way to play basketball would be to hybridize it with guerilla warfare. Place some landmines at various places on the court. Give the players ak-47s, then we will really see who the great one is. No doubt MJ, Magic and Bird would have killed in that setting because of their quest for greatness. Even if scoring has been made easier it doesn't mean that the level of competition has decreased. These are still the best athletes, most of them have incredible work ethics, and what they go out and do on that court is still incredible (unless you happen to be watching the Hawks or the Knicks). You’re right Andrew. I for one feel that the best way to play basketball would be to hybridize it with guerilla warfare. Place some landmines at various places on the court. Give the players ak-47s, then we will really see who the great one is. No doubt MJ, Magic and Bird would have killed in that setting because of their quest for greatness.

Even if scoring has been made easier it doesn’t mean that the level of competition has decreased. These are still the best athletes, most of them have incredible work ethics, and what they go out and do on that court is still incredible (unless you happen to be watching the Hawks or the Knicks).

]]> By: Andrew http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/12/fast-break-thoughts-6/comment-page-1/#comment-13735 Andrew Wed, 13 Sep 2006 22:58:01 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/12/fast-break-thoughts-6/#comment-13735 Defense builds superstars, whether they are the best offensive player in the league, being unstoppable by the toughest standards, or the best defensive player in the league, shutting down all who try to score. In my opinion, Stern should not have relaxed the rule to produce scoring. All it has done is dumb down the game and taken away the motivation for the superstars to step up. Let us all celebrate the achievement of mediocrity, because unless the best can perform at the highest level, they should not be considered for legendary status. I'm thankful that I was able to watch basketball at it's apex. Lowering the bar does not help this league, it only hurts the quality of the play. Next thing you know, they'll lower the rim, because not enough of the 6 feet and under guys want to start dunking all the time in games. Maybe we should move the free throw line closer too. I'm sure it will increase the percentage. MJ, Magic, Bird, Barkley, Isiah strived to be the best when the NBA was at it's best. Don't you get tired of guys claiming to the best in a league that's almost second rate? I, for one, want to see the cream rise to the top, so that the best of the best can truly be admired for greatness. Defense builds superstars, whether they are the best offensive player in the league, being unstoppable by the toughest standards, or the best defensive player in the league, shutting down all who try to score. In my opinion, Stern should not have relaxed the rule to produce scoring. All it has done is dumb down the game and taken away the motivation for the superstars to step up. Let us all celebrate the achievement of mediocrity, because unless the best can perform at the highest level, they should not be considered for legendary status. I’m thankful that I was able to watch basketball at it’s apex.
Lowering the bar does not help this league, it only hurts the quality of the play. Next thing you know, they’ll lower the rim, because not enough of the 6 feet and under guys want to start dunking all the time in games. Maybe we should move the free throw line closer too. I’m sure it will increase the percentage. MJ, Magic, Bird, Barkley, Isiah strived to be the best when the NBA was at it’s best. Don’t you get tired of guys claiming to the best in a league that’s almost second rate? I, for one, want to see the cream rise to the top, so that the best of the best can truly be admired for greatness.

]]> By: John R. http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/12/fast-break-thoughts-6/comment-page-1/#comment-13702 John R. Wed, 13 Sep 2006 20:55:29 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/12/fast-break-thoughts-6/#comment-13702 The rules as currently interpreted are incredibly faulty. Watching Wade in his first few international attempts was comedy gold. Travel. Travel. Fall on his ass no-call. Travel. Fall on his ass no-call. Ladies and Gentlemen your Finals MVP. I for one find it distasteful. But if we do go back you can pretty much write-off the Suns and Mavericks as real title contenders and lotterize any team that counts on one superstar constantly getting superstar calls so the Wizards, Cavaliers, Sixers, Celtics and Lakers would be in trouble. Though Philly and Boston obviously missed the playoffs last year anyway. The rules as currently interpreted are incredibly faulty. Watching Wade in his first few international attempts was comedy gold. Travel. Travel. Fall on his ass no-call. Travel. Fall on his ass no-call. Ladies and Gentlemen your Finals MVP.

I for one find it distasteful. But if we do go back you can pretty much write-off the Suns and Mavericks as real title contenders and lotterize any team that counts on one superstar constantly getting superstar calls so the Wizards, Cavaliers, Sixers, Celtics and Lakers would be in trouble. Though Philly and Boston obviously missed the playoffs last year anyway.

]]> By: Rob http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/12/fast-break-thoughts-6/comment-page-1/#comment-13679 Rob Wed, 13 Sep 2006 17:44:28 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/12/fast-break-thoughts-6/#comment-13679 I'm jumping to the Lazenby piece on defense in the NBA: Dumars was being too kind in his analysis. When a guard can blow by a defender, slap the defender in the belly with his arm and then get the foul called on the defender, something is wrong with the NBA. When this happens in a critical game in the Finals, something is dangerously wrong with the NBA. My ire has died down some by this point but at the time the stank officiating of the "new rules" had me disgusted. If NBA fans didn't enjoy defense, we'd watch games of HORSE. Defense is part of the game, and I hope Mr. Stern realizes that sooner rather than later. I’m jumping to the Lazenby piece on defense in the NBA: Dumars was being too kind in his analysis. When a guard can blow by a defender, slap the defender in the belly with his arm and then get the foul called on the defender, something is wrong with the NBA. When this happens in a critical game in the Finals, something is dangerously wrong with the NBA. My ire has died down some by this point but at the time the stank officiating of the “new rules” had me disgusted.

If NBA fans didn’t enjoy defense, we’d watch games of HORSE. Defense is part of the game, and I hope Mr. Stern realizes that sooner rather than later.

]]> By: Craig W http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/12/fast-break-thoughts-6/comment-page-1/#comment-13677 Craig W Wed, 13 Sep 2006 17:10:29 +0000 http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2006/09/12/fast-break-thoughts-6/#comment-13677 Look! Phil has a history of leaking information and 'inside' books. I just think this is now to be expected. I seriously doubt Phil thought he might come back to the Lakers. However, I also think a lot of his information was written before he left the Lakers. Think about it. Phil was astonished Buss supported Kobe when he said 'him or me' and then went out and somewhat 'made up' with Kobe for the rest of the '04 season. I doubt the 'dislike' went away that spring and suspect that's when he started writing a book - when to publish would be determined by his Laker situation. When it ended he just finished the book. That's my take anyway. Look! Phil has a history of leaking information and ‘inside’ books. I just think this is now to be expected. I seriously doubt Phil thought he might come back to the Lakers. However, I also think a lot of his information was written before he left the Lakers.

Think about it. Phil was astonished Buss supported Kobe when he said ‘him or me’ and then went out and somewhat ‘made up’ with Kobe for the rest of the ’04 season. I doubt the ‘dislike’ went away that spring and suspect that’s when he started writing a book – when to publish would be determined by his Laker situation. When it ended he just finished the book.

That’s my take anyway.

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