The NBA at a Crossroads
The latest blog entry from my favorite hoops sports commentator (Bill Simmons) is titled, Down with the OJ Mayo Era, and talks about how the NBA today is more focused on “individual spectacularism” than fundamental team play. Call it Vince Carter vs. the Phoenix Suns. The following quote sums up Bill's blog entry quite succinctly:
The sport of basketball is headed for a crossroads of sorts, personified by the fact that Kobe Bryant's recent streak of 50-point games received far more national attention than the incredible Suns-Mavs game two weeks ago. Nobody wants to be the next Steve Nash; everyone wants to be the next LeBron James, the next Gilbert Arenas, the next Vince Carter. Those guys make the most money and get the most magazine covers and commercials. Just look at what happened to LeBron's all-around game when he reached the pros -- blessed with an innate passing gene that gave him a choice between becoming the next Magic or the next MJ, he said "Screw it, I'm going for my points" and went the MJ route. I will always be disappointed about that choice.
I think Simmon's argument is spot on, that there is too much emphasis on the highlight reel today rather than the team (although parts of it sound like an old man waxing poetic about how truly wonderful the good ol' days were). Sure, 10, 20, 30 years ago, players would hotdog for the fans, for the sports highlights, but there was still a sense of team. Of the importance of winning, of trusting your team mates, of caring about the outcome of the game. To paraphrase White Men Can't Jump, previously it seems that players would rather look bad and win, than look good, but lose, but not so much today. It makes you wonder that during Kobe's 50+ point streak, if given the choice, “Score 50 and lose, or score 28 and win,” which option he'd pick.
I think this sentiment can best be described by a sports interview I once saw with Isiah Thomas. He was talking about their two championship seasons and while they were watching footage, Zeke broke down and a few tears escaped. He tried to explain it, the feelings and emotions that stemmed from coming together as a team, busting it all year long, facing adversity, tough loses, and so on, and then winning it all, being the champions. There was no talk of “gettin' his,” MVP awards, and so on. It was all about how a group of 12 guys came together, worked hard, trusted in one another, and, together, made it to a higher plane. That's what I'm talking about, and that's what, I imagine, Bill is talking about, too.
Random closing note: check out Henry Abbott's TrueHoop blog if you haven't already. Updated very frequently with great links, interesting commentary, and witty analysis.