February 21, 2005

The Annual NBA All Star Game Joke

By: Marty Coultas
Milwaukeeworld.com

Hello again Milwakeeworlders.

The NBA All Star game was played out this weekend with all the hoopla and glitz of the extravaganza it has become. Lots of “bling”, plenty of tattoos and a lot bad defense. It pretty much mimicked the atmosphere surrounding the regular season itself, with the exception of the front rows being occupied by celebrities rather than indebted wannabees to whom appearance matters more than substance. Basketball at the professional level has become nothing more than a sad reflection of the game that was invented by Mr. Naismith and perfected here in America the Beautiful. You all remember the game as it should be played by a team of five players who dribble, pass and shoot when an open opportunity exists. You all remember the object of the game was for the defenders to not allow open looks, to block passing lanes and force the opponent to pick up his dribble. The game of basketball is still practiced in it’s best form at the collegiate level but the professional leagues have all but abandoned the aspects of the great game that America used to like to call her own. It is a desire on the part of the NBA to relive a time that will never come again. Michael Jordon isn’t coming back and the game as it was played by his greatest competitors has vanished in favor of futile attempts to create another superstar.

When the Bulls put together the “Team of Jordon”, it took them four or five years and some great luck to find all the parts that fit right. It took a coach with thinking that was “outside the box” and a sublimation of ego by other players willing to let one teammate bask in the glory. Plus it took a man who was capable of carrying that burden both on the court and off. The astonishing successes that they enjoyed were seen as a window into the future by the NBA owners, coaches and players. Too bad, no one seemed to recognize it as an anomaly. Jordon and companies greatest rivals were teams, not players. Bird and Johnson were great players and maybe as good as Jordon but they also played on teams that dibbled, passed and defended in a very traditional manner. The great Celtic teams, the Lakers, the Rockets, and Utah all played the game with great players but very traditionally. But to change the dynamic and achieve the adoration and ability to sell merchandise like the Bulls, they thought they had to change and adapt to the new rules of the game. The result has been a futile attempt to create a new superstar by drafting high school boys and encouraging aspiring thugs to achieve individual glory. The result of their actions has been a succession of missteps and the ordination of Kobie Bryant as the best example of the new game. He has not only shown himself to be an imposter off the floor but this year he has proven himself to be an imposter on the floor as well. While he is, indeed, a tremendously gifted athlete, he can never be Michael because there is no Rodman, Pippen, Cartwright and Kerr to compliment him and he is not capable of carrying the weight of expectation and dependability. He is not alone though. As great as Lebron may be, he is just another great player on a sub par team and until the chemistry of the team is put back into vogue, he will remain another guy with a big salary and nothing else.

Unless and until the NBA gets its act together and stops promoting “urban behavior” and individuals, professional basketball here in the USA will continue to be a boring game played by a bunch of people who still won’t be able to beat Spain, Argentina, Lithuania or maybe not even Puerto Rico. Commissioner Stern would do well to look to the college game today to see how the game should be played. Wisconsin and Illinois are two examples. Players who have good to adequate talent play together without selfish behavior for the glory of victory. There is not victory sweater than one achieved while sharing the moment with a teammate. There is no struggle that results in success that is more satisfying than one shared by another who gave as you have given and understands the sacrifice and effort involved. I would like to see that attitude once again become the standard in the NBA but I have little expectation that I will see it happen.

The Wisconsin Badgers have been ranked about 20th for the last several weeks. That ranking is about right. I am hopeful that they will be able to beat Michigan State this week so that they can get a decent seeding in the NCAA Tourney. If we see them play hard and have a good streak to end the season, we might get a 4 or 5 seed. I think it is highly possible that our Wisconsin Badgers will get to the round of 16 if they can manage to avoid too many prolonged scoring droughts and keep there intensity on defense.

Note that Jeff Gordon won the Daytona 500. His 3rd win of that race and his 70th overall since his first win in 1994. Strange, isn’t it, that the staggering rise in popularity of NASCAR seems to have happened during his ascendancy to mega stardom. I am pretty sure that NACAR gets it but I am not sure that a lot of the fans get it. Love him or hate him, no one really cares just so long as you fear him and respect him. Funny though, as much as he is the point man, it takes a team to make him successful and he always recognizes that fact before he accepts personal accolades.

With that all said, I sign off for this week. Remember keep your ears open and your noses clean.

Ciao,

Marty the Sports Chick
Milwaukeeworld.com

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