I desperately want to disagree with you, as I know your basketball ideas are fundamentally unsound. Please say something silly. (Perhaps expound on the not noticeably less athletic bit.)
I've seen that game fairly recently too, and, while I totally agree with you on the Dr. J thing, I have to disagree about the fundamentals. _No one_ plays any peremiter defense in that game at all. _No one_ can consistently hit a mid-range or long-range jump shot. _No one_ understands defensive or offensive spacing. They just run up and down the court and either hit or miss driving lay-ups.
However, I must say that Magic is totally awesome in that game! People forget how athletic he was early in his career before he got too big.
Hmm. I thought the jump shooting was generally better. But that might be because people had more time to set up their shots; there seemed to be more wide open shots than one sees today.
The other things--spacing, perimeter D--seem like strategic ways the game has changed, rather than something the players lacked in 1980. But you're surely right about them: I couldn't believe how bad the spacing was for both teams.
And Magic was fantastic. I'm not a fan, but he really was very good, and one can even see how he was likable before his head got too big.
I maintain that there is a direct line connecting Jamaal Wilkes, Scottie Pippen, and Gilbert Arenas: it is impossible to imagine a soundtrack to any of their games that isn't a seventies funk standby.
On a related matter: I'm still picking the Pistons-Pacers to go seven, and for the Pacers to ultimately pull it out. I reserve the right to claim, tomorrow, that Wolfson posted this under my name.
I desperately want to disagree with you, as I know your basketball ideas are fundamentally unsound. Please say something silly. (Perhaps expound on the not noticeably less athletic bit.)
Posted by SomeCallMeTim | Link to this comment | 05-16-05 12:20 PM
I have spoken.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 05-16-05 12:22 PM
I've seen that game fairly recently too, and, while I totally agree with you on the Dr. J thing, I have to disagree about the fundamentals. _No one_ plays any peremiter defense in that game at all. _No one_ can consistently hit a mid-range or long-range jump shot. _No one_ understands defensive or offensive spacing. They just run up and down the court and either hit or miss driving lay-ups.
However, I must say that Magic is totally awesome in that game! People forget how athletic he was early in his career before he got too big.
Posted by pjs | Link to this comment | 05-16-05 12:22 PM
Hmm. I thought the jump shooting was generally better. But that might be because people had more time to set up their shots; there seemed to be more wide open shots than one sees today.
The other things--spacing, perimeter D--seem like strategic ways the game has changed, rather than something the players lacked in 1980. But you're surely right about them: I couldn't believe how bad the spacing was for both teams.
And Magic was fantastic. I'm not a fan, but he really was very good, and one can even see how he was likable before his head got too big.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 05-16-05 12:28 PM
it's the short-pants I miss.
Posted by text | Link to this comment | 05-16-05 12:34 PM
how long till those come back around? I'm talking about the satin ones, with white belts.
Posted by text | Link to this comment | 05-16-05 12:36 PM
I maintain that there is a direct line connecting Jamaal Wilkes, Scottie Pippen, and Gilbert Arenas: it is impossible to imagine a soundtrack to any of their games that isn't a seventies funk standby.
Posted by SomeCallMeTim | Link to this comment | 05-16-05 12:37 PM
You watch 20+ year old basketball when sick? That explains a lot.
;)
Posted by profgrrrrl | Link to this comment | 05-16-05 5:43 PM
I don't think Jamaal Wilkes had Pippen's D. But man he was smooth.
Posted by benton | Link to this comment | 05-16-05 7:43 PM
They still knew how to dribble back then...
Posted by Movie Guy | Link to this comment | 05-17-05 12:14 AM
On a related matter: I'm still picking the Pistons-Pacers to go seven, and for the Pacers to ultimately pull it out. I reserve the right to claim, tomorrow, that Wolfson posted this under my name.
Posted by SomeCallMeTim | Link to this comment | 05-17-05 11:45 AM
Crap. The above was Wolfson. Crap.
Posted by SomeCallMeTim | Link to this comment | 05-17-05 6:49 PM
Jermaine O'Neal should be shooting them back into the game any minute now.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 05-17-05 6:49 PM
I feel actual shame. An Unfogged first.
Posted by SomeCallMeTim | Link to this comment | 05-17-05 7:51 PM