by Lynette Alice

Created on: June 18, 2009

The NBA isn't what it used to be because times change and there is no stopping that. Whether the changes in the NBA have been good or bad is really a point of personal perspective, but for many people old enough to remember the style of play and rivalries of yesteryear those days are sorely missed. Gone are the too tight shorts and in are the shorts that almost look more like pants. As has been often said, not all changes are bad.

The biggest difference that has changed the game is the lack of real rivalries these days. The announcers calling games tell us there are rivalries, the endless promos tell us there are bitter rivalries, but the fact is when you watch the games they just lack all intensity. Rivalries are manufactured for ratings which is fine except the powers that be forgot to tell the players anything about it. As such when teams hit the floor these days even the Celtics/Lakers match up feels a lot like the Timberwolves/Nets so far as intensity goes. As fans we want to believe there is real animosity between the squads taking the floor in these classic match ups, but it just isn't there. Bird and Magic aren't squaring off against each other ever again unless it's going to be in some form of old timers game.

The teams change rosters so often and fast these days it's hard to build a real bond with the hometown players. Sure some of the marquee guys stick around, but the supporting cast is often a revolving door of hired guns that last a half season or two and move on to the next team in need of a boost. When players lack loyalty to a team it's hard as a fan to maintain loyalty. For people that have followed the 76'ers, Lakers, Celtics, etc... for some 25 or 30 years that loyalty will never fade, they are fans forever. For a new generation of fans however loyalties change s fast as rosters as they follow whatever team has the "in" logo, or the team they are told is the hot commodity at the moment.

The style of play has changed as well. Thanks to 24 hour sports networks that have an increasing demand for flashy clips and the desire of players to get as much of that airtime as possible, team play is too boring. Everyone from the seasoned vets to the greenest rookie is looking for their 5 seconds to shine which will be played over and over for several hours or that they can upload to their Youtube page. They need to make the behind the back pass, the glass shattering dunk, or add in the completely unnecessary in your face move to grab the attention of the camera. Although they would never admit it in an interview, many players seem to care more about individual achievement they can take to the negotiating table when their contract comes due than helping their team win.

No the NBA is nothing near what it used be. A point guard like Cousy wouldn't have enough flash for the game of today to be a star. People would demand Jabbar dunk instead of drop that incredible skyhook in time after time. The Detroit Bad Boys....well they would make it in the style of play today, that is assuming they actually stayed together long enough to build that reputation.

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