Im sure there were guys just like us in the 90s that watched black and white footage of basketball in the 60s and 70s and said similar things. The game evolves and in 20 years, theres going to be people saying this era of basketball wasnt as good. Personally, the 90s resonate more with me because I was born in 1984 and thats what I grew up watching. Its really a nostalgic thing. Lets call a spade a spade. Even the Dream Team guys had flaws but like every argument about eras, its purely conjecture. Could Tyson have beaten Ali? I say no, but well never know for sure.
Youre right though, Danny. Basketball these days does seem to flow better. Another reason for this might be due to the specialization of certain players and positions. Weve gone from the five positions on the court to who knows how many. Weve got stretch fours, slashers, guys that hit the corner 3 (Shane Battier), perimeter defenders, etc. There are guys that wouldnt have been in the league 15-20 years ago because they only do one thing well. These days, if a player can do one thing really well, theres a good chance hell find a team and if hes lucky, hell land on the right team (the Spurs) and flourish. No one is going to mistake Danny Green for an All-Star type player but he came up big tonight to force OT. Monta Ellis is a sieve defensively but he hit a game winning jumper tonight. Its sort of like baseball changed with relief pitchers. In the 70s, guys like Catfish Hunter had to pitch 3 innings to get a save but now you have lefty specialists and right specialists and guys being brought in face one batter.
To go back to your original point though, the european style is only going to become more and more prevalent in the league not only because were seeing more and more european players come over and have success but because a lot of the old school coaches are leaving the game, opening things up for guys with younger and fresher ideas. Its only a matter of time.
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