Too much love
I had the enjoyment of watching the Magic Johnson and Larry Bird documentary the other day on HBO. I was laughing in agreement at a comment Bird made in reference to Magic. He told a story about how Magic was in a tunnel waiting for Indiana State to finish a practice before the 1979-80 NCAA championship game. He said he knew Magic wanted to come to speak to him before they left the floor, but that he wanted nothing to do with him and walked away to the amazement of Magic.
He also spoke about how he enjoyed the despair Magic was immersed in after having a subpar championship series in 1984 and wished it would kill him in a joking manner, while feeling vindication for his poor performance during that college loss to Magic.
Bird said, “All I could think about was Magic in the other locker room with his head down in anguish while I was holding a championship trophy.”
I find that laughable and real. That’s why I loved Bird - because he had no fake in him. He was an assassin and he took pride in destroying your confidence on the court if he could.
I had two memorable run-ins with him. The first was my first start as a rookie in the Boston Garden. He walked out for the jump ball and asked out loud who the (expletive) was going to try and guard him that night? Once he realized it was me, he immediately walked over and told me that he was going to destroy me - which he did with ease.
The next encounter was the following year, but I was a different player and was having a breakout year. I happened to be in one of my zones and was berating Bird all game long when he told me all I could do was score. The next play I gave him a head fake, popped him in the mouth and drew a foul. While I was shooting the free throw, I said out loud, “I can make you bleed too.”
He tried like heck to get me back the rest of the game, but didn’t succeed.
I thought it was over when I was in the safe haven of the locker room, but to my amazement I looked up and Bird had come in to hand me his hotel room key. He looked at me and said, “Why don’t you come over and we can finish what you started?”
I said I wasn’t going to do that so him, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish could beat me up. He started laughing and said, “We will finish this next year and I will not forget.”
I knew right then that Bird could have played on any playground where I grew up in Chicago and hold his own. Why? Larry Bird knew how to talk trash. I remember when he was wearing out Julius Erving and talking smack. Dr. J got upset and started to choke him. Bird responded with a right-handed punch.
That boy was bad.
He had entered a league dominated by African-Americans thinking he could mix it up and talk smack with any of the guys. And then back it up. He had instant respect because that was the poster boy of the league (Julius Erving!) he was trying to punk.
We had fun back in the day talking smack. We needed to stimulate ourselves back then because crowds were small and everyone pretty much had similar contracts. We competed hard against each other because come contract time, general managers were quick to compare us to similar players. So we had to outperform players who supposedly were making the type of money we wanted during free agency.
I hated every opponent I played against and I never crossed half court to visit or speak with a friend. We just did not attempt to fraternize and coaches despised the sight of it.
So why is there such a lovefest going on every time I watch a pregame warm-up and a game? The playoffs are getting ready to start and I get geared up to support my favorite team, but in the same instance gear up to cheer against teams I don’t want to win.
What turns me off is when I get to the game, I want focused warm-ups and players staying on each end of the court. But what I see is some players from teams talking, hugging and laughing. That sight makes me nauseous.
I want smack talking and comments in the paper. I want chest bumping and hard fouls. I want the officials to feel like at any moment something might break out. I want tension. I don’t want players to pick an opponent off the floor and I don’t want players smiling or communicating with opponents during the game.
I am old school. Although change is a normal function of life, I just don’t want opponents liking and respecting each other on the court. Off the court, I have no problem. It’s just a game, but on the court I want more Larry Birds.
If you play golf with me, I will tell you honestly that I hope every shot you hit goes out of bounds. I do not tell you “Great shot” and I do not give putts outside 10 inches. I played basketball and I would never consent a breakaway layup and say forget about finishing the shot, just drop the ball because I know you were going to make it. I will give you the necessary strokes to make the game even. After that, it’s a game. I want to win and after the round, I will buy you lunch with your money. They say golf is a gentleman’s game. Well, I am being honest and that’s as nice as I will get until we are done.
I could not understand why the media seemed so interested in LeBron James walking off the court last year without congratulating the Orlando Magic. Oh, so after the Magic players and fans beat him up, berated him and then sent him home, they felt it necessary for him to turn around and say congratulations?
Basketball is his life. When you lose, you go home and sulk, get better and think about redeeming yourself the next year. You don’t think about going to hug a guy that’s jumping up and down having a party at your expense. What you do is go take a shower, sulk and get your emotions in order. Then, if inclined to do so, go to their locker room and congratulate the victors.
Now I agree that you never do what the Pistons did to the Bulls in 1991 by walking off the floor as a team before the game was over. That was poor sportsmanship at its finest.
I never saw the Lakers or Celtics congratulate each other during those great championship series. Whoever lost just left the floor in a hurry and no media member ever said a word. Now it’s a problem when Peyton Manning walks off the field after losing the Superbowl.
The AAU has made the players in basketball soft and in turn the media has followed suit. Before the AAU, we just heard stories about other great players. Because of the AAU, NBA players have been playing against each other since birth. So I understand the lovefest, but I don’t have to like it.
The playoffs are coming up and I am excited. I want all coaches to pull a Pat Riley and stop the fraternization before games. Maybe the league needs to drop a curtain down the middle of the court and lift it when the game starts.
Or maybe just have Larry Bird go speak to every team before the season ends and show them how it’s really done!
Elephant Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 9:28 am
Good stuff, Eddie!
(as always)
Rod Nealy Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 9:35 am
Couldn´t agree more. This should be a mandatory read for everybody in sports. “Cause if you´re not first you´re last!”~Ricky Bobby
yabba Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 9:44 am
the pre tip is honestly 2 hard 2 handle and non-competitiveness is ruinin the game. doesnt anyone have pride anymore? nice article ej.
JAY Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 9:48 am
Well said and I couldn’t agree more. It bothers me even more that the biggest, strongest, most physically imposing player in the league smiles the most. I’m sure you know who i’m referring to.
Shep Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 10:13 am
And thats the truth. Top offenders of this
#1 Vince Carter
#2 Dwight Howard
#3 Hedo Turkoglu
Must be something about living in Orlando
Benjamin Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 10:20 am
One time, on TNT, Barkley took a shot at Larry Bird while going into commercial:
“I was watching Family Feud, and the topic was ‘Ugly birds’. I was shocked, noone said Larry!”
JB Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 10:47 am
Couldn’t agree more. I hate the multitude of man hugs and fist bumps between opponents before and after each game.
They make so much money, that it’s not as much about winning anymore. It’s about image and tweeting and bling and all that junk.
Great story about Bird coming back to the locker room. You got to love Bird.
DT Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 11:02 am
My uncle and I were just talking about this two days ago. I hate todays game. I really enjoyed the Reggie Miller ESPN documentary because it spoke to everything you mentioned. I want to watch competitors, not friends.
Great post Eddie
Mystery Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 11:13 am
I have been a fan of Larry Bird since I can remember walking. Stories like this are the reason that players like him and Magic were so good. They competed hard against each other every night. They respected what each other did on the court but wanted nothing more than to win.
What makes me the most sick is when I watch a Cleveland Game and they take so much time doing choreographed dances as a team during the introductions. The sad thing is they actually have to get together as a team and practice this. Like they are on an episode of best new dance crew
G Dawg Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 11:29 am
Along these lines, the league could use a few Charles Oakleys too. He was BAD. I will never forget tuning into a Raps game to be told Oak had been ejected before the game for throwing a ball at Tyrone Hill’s head during warmups (over an unpaid gambling debt). It was ridiculous, but it was funny. Oak was the last true enforcer in the NBA. Nobody wanted to mess with him. As Bill Simmons recounts one player saying, “there are a lot of tough guys in the NBA, but Oak just don’t give a F*&^”
Li Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 11:54 am
U ain’t never lied! The lovefest amongst players is sickening. I especially hate when a player helps an opponent up off the floor. Wasnt the point to put him on his a$$ in the first place? Players today always talk about going to ‘war’ on the court and not allowing easy layups, giving hard fouls etc., but immediately run to refs to complain when hit with a foul. Back in the day, you didnt hear different degrees of a foul. A foul was a foul - period! This flagrant 1 and 2 is BS. MJs Bulls wanted to destroy their opponent every night and did. Bird hated every opponent he faced. Today’s Celtics are about the only team that still play with a little righteous anger. Gasol said he wished the Lakers ‘didnt like any team they played’ because it made them compete harder. Bring back the hate!!
Larry Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 11:57 am
Eddie,
Great stuff. 19 years in the league in it’s golden years has given you lots of great stories. Love to hear them. Cotton Fitzsimmons used to tell me that kind of stuff. They would hand check Kevin Johnson constantly in a game and knock him to the floor every time he went to the basket with few fouls called. He’d get up with a scowl on his face at the opponent and at it they went.
Seems like everyone is everybody’s buddy today. I remember Barkley fighting with Boston. I remember Oakley telling Barkley he would kick his a$$ and he meant it and Barkley said he knew he meant it. I remember the fear teams had for Maurice Lucas. (I am preying for him to beat his illness) The money is so big now contracts are more important than winning in many cases. Keep telling the grat stories form the past.
bigdaddy Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 12:02 pm
Amen Eddie,You are sooooooo right.Something’s wrong with seeing Vince Carter shoot 3 of 15,lose the game and hug everybody who beat his ass.
bigdaddy Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 12:11 pm
Great Eddie,speakin of tough guys.Remember Xavier McDaniel literally choking Wes Mathews.Calvin Murphy was a good fighter too believe it or not for his size.Maurice Lucas,Lonnie Shelton,Charles Oakley once pimp slapped JeffMcGinnes over a personal issue,and once did the same to Tyrone Hill over an unpaid gambling debt.That’s what today’s NBA is missing.
Chris B. Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 12:14 pm
I hope readers of this blog take notes of your comments, because it is apparent that many sports journalists write articles and criticisms without any knowledge of what it is really like to play a game of basketball. A REAL game of competitive basketball. Here are a couple of examples:
Case 1:
It has been common for people (Bill Simmons and co.) to claim that the Knicks/Bulls (and Knicks/Heat) series of the 90s killed modern basketball because it was too defensive and boring to watch. But I always say that any true basketball player loves watching those series. I know that if you are a player and you turn on NBA TV and a Knicks/Bulls classic game is on, you will watch it. Why? Because those guys hated each other, and they competed to the bitter end. To be honest I bet if Ultimate Fighting existed back then you could have convinced those guys to jump into the octagon and have at it. In the very least Oakley and Cartwright would have been up for it.
Those teams hated each other with a passion, and they were all “friends.” Phil Jackson was a Knick as a player, Bill Cartwright was a longtime Knick, Oakley started off as a Bull, Riley coached the Knicks then moved on to Miami where he got into battles with his old assistant, Jeff Van Gundy. The personal connections were deep, but they showed no love for each other during the season. Nowadays the media would flip out if the antics that happened then were to happen now.
Case 2:
By pure coincidence I happened to be in a sports bar in Springfield Mass. the night of Jordan’s induction speech. I was standing there watching the TV with a couple of other guys about my height (6′5″) so i could tell they they had been ballers on some level in their younger years. When we heard the speech we were all smiles. We nodded our head when he talked about getting snubbed by Dean Smith on the SI cover, we laughed when he talked about going after Bryon Russell anytime he saw him in basketball shorts. We loved the speech because as players we could totally relate.
The next day when a bunch of reporters who knew nothing about actually playing the game of basketball started calling the speech “bitter” or “mean” I wanted to smack every single one of them. That speech wasn’t bitter, it was an insight into the mind of the most competitive player in the modern era. Every single one of us who has tried to win on a team can name you every player we hated since elementary school. We can tell you every coach who snubbed us at one time or another and how it motivated us. Jordan’s speech was just an insight into what it is really like to be a competitor. To this day if I hear someone claim Jordan’s speech was bitter I will challenge that person to a one on one game, just so I can whip someone so weak-minded.
To be fair this does not mean that you have to lose your humanity. All these guys who hated each other at one time now only have love and respect for each other. That is what competitors do, they leave it on the field. I would love to sit down and have a meal with any of the guys I played against growing up. But if I see any of them in a pair of basketball shorts, I am going after them.
It is really a breath of fresh air to hear someone write about basketball who actually knows what it is like to play the game. Perhaps we should make it mandatory that anyone who writes about sports should at least have at one time in their life competed for something more than their mother’s love and daddy’s attention.
-Chris
P.S. Was anyone in the league even in Larry Bird’s league when it came to trash talking? I remember watching him play against the Knicks in MSG as a kid, and he was yelling at the Knicks, telling them exactly what he was going to do in the next play. I remember Bernard King hit a shot on him and said something, Bird said “When I get the ball I am going into the corner and hitting a three!” Next play…swish. The defense knew what he was going to do and couldn’t do a thing about it. Amazing.
terje Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 12:50 pm
fantastic stuff eddie.
and chris, the problem with jordan’s speech is that he hasn’t been on the court in years. who needs to hear some guy with 6 rings cry about being disrespected? it’s like watching garnett talk trash from the bench in a suit…..get your gimpy ass knee out on the floor and talk that trash.
Links To The Present: March 19, 2010 « Cavs: The Blog Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 1:05 pm
[...] [Eddie Johnson on being Old-School] “I could not understand why the media seemed so interested in LeBron James walking off the court last year without congratulating the Orlando Magic. Oh, so after the Magic players and fans beat him up, berated him and then sent him home, they felt it necessary for him to turn around and say congratulations?” [...]
T Diggs Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 1:11 pm
Awesome stuff Eddie, and great story on Larry. I agree with you totally and wish the rivalries would develop the way they were when you played.
frank b Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 1:34 pm
Eddie,
Great article, fun to read.
Anyone who reads your blogs knows already that you are a hyper-competitive over-opinionated prick that loves to argue! We can tell that you have a good time being yourself!
So you like Larry Bird so much and wished everyone acted like him? I have great respect for Mr. Bird, but it didn’t hurt his career playing with Parish, McHale, Johnson, Walton, Ainge and company. He wasn’t the only one on that team that could play, in fact that is one of the greatest teams ever assembled.
The game you talked about where Bird was talking trash to Julius Erving was when Doc was about 100 years old near the end of his career. Larry Bird never “punked” Julius until father time caught up with him. I probably watched every single game they played against one another and Doc outplayed Bird in the first three or so years of Bird’s career until the Sixers championship year and Bird got the better of the match-up consistently after that.
In the game you mention, Bird was talking trash like twenty six points to six Doc, after another basket, twenty nine points to six Doc….pretty funny really. Doc was way over the hill at that point so he lost his mind and started punching.
In an interview, Bird said that Jordan is the toughest that he played against but that early in his career he would coast and rest for a game or two before playing the Sixers because Julius really had it going on.
We all need motivation to perform our best. Eddie, for you, you motivated yourself through dislike and hatred for your opponents. I don’t think Bill Russell hated his opponents like Michael Jordan and you did but I think we can agree that he was a pretty effective player. Wilt Chamberlain is another person who comes to mind as a gentle giant.
Anyhow, thanks for the insights into your own motivations and you always write an interesting article.
P. Lew James Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 1:50 pm
When I hear the writers of today try to compare todays players with those of years gone by ,I laugh. Lets see these players play under the old rules with hand checking, and a no lay-up edict in place. I can see Gasol or Howard trying to survive against the likes of Russell, Chamberlain, or even Nate Thurmond. Yes, back in the day there was a price to be paid for a small man who went into the paint! Not for the faint of heart! We are left today with this watered-down product that is called professional basketball. A mere shadow of its’ former self.
Gerard Himself Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 1:57 pm
I love stories like this Eddie, keep ‘em coming. I hate it that everything is a foul right now. Last night when Orlando was playing Miami Dwight got whistled for a foul, he bounced the ball quite hard in frustration and got a T. Are you kidding me? They wouldn’t give you a T back in the days because of that. Eddie, that’s also one of the reasons players don’t talk a lot of smack, for the simple reason that you get whistled for a T that easily. You have to be a robot on the court, because the League is overly concerned with its image.
Ben Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 2:15 pm
The most important article I’ve read in a long time. All these love-fests are killing the NBA (and pro sports everywhere). Great work, Eddie! It’s really too bad the kids of today never got to see the NBA of the ’80s. Today’s NBA is great - but it’s hamburger compared to the juicy steak of 20 years ago.
Alex Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 2:16 pm
People need different releases due to personalities. Granted, with today’s media, some people can’t be themselves. Even back then, some people couldn’t be themselves. You take a look at a sport like basketball and there is only 1 player who has ever came out? That seems a bit ridiculous, but this isn’t about that primarily. I’m not looking for anything but players to be themselves other than masochists.
You take a look at the sport today and there is no defense except on the teams that might get to the championship. Granted, the Orlando Magic didn’t play defense and the Los Angeles Lakers defense was spotty, but more than half of the teams play run and gun and that’s due to the league. David Stern wants a more European and worldly view of the sport to be played. Does that have to deal with personality in the players? Sometimes it does, but the media blows up everything. I think LeBron is a lil’ ***** because he wouldn’t allow a video tape of that kid from college to be shown and it wasn’t a spectacular dunk. Yet, because it was against LeBron James it was the dunk heard round the developed world. That’s about prideful and arrogant personality, not humility or hatred.
I think we can look at Kobe Bryant as the best example of this today. Kobe has the game at his fingertip and yet he chooses to be kind for two reasons. One, the media watches his every move and listens to every word so that if he does something wrong: it can be disected against him. Two, he has that very friendly personality off the court. During games, he goes after the other player. Take a look with Ron Artest when he was with Houston during the playoffs, or with Pau Gasol during the Olympics in 2008. The vestige of the game that we saw are there. The problem is that everyone has lost their testicles and we have to watch every action and word we say. We’re not allowed to just be us and we never have been able to do so because of morons who need it sugarcoated, or for those that wish to never agree with it.
You can have players that know nothing but the need for their egos to get stroked in order to get through the game and you can have players that know nothing but the thrill of sitting down the entire fourth knowing that they won’t be needed by the end, but still want to be in there anyway. Arrogance and instinct. The difference is that one is oblivious and the other is knowledge. The ability to be oblivious to only believe that one way something can be done while the other is the ability to know that the other way works better.
KOJO ATA Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 2:27 pm
Great article Eddie,
This article is needed in every locker room in the NBA today. I have been a fan of the game for a very long time and the NBA has changed. The sense of hardcore competition is no longer present. Referees are too quick on the whistle and guys are just too friendly with each other before the game and too friendly during the games. A player gets fould hard and you see the opponent picking him up!!!. Not condoning life threatning competitions and fragrant fouls, however the Players need to be a little ruff on each other and creat some competition. Ron Artest is probably the only guy that would punch a guy in the face during a game. You have players like Lebron a very good talent but always smiling and laughing with his opponents. Vince Carter, Hedo, Dwight. C’mon fellas lets see some bumps and bruises. Anyways I am out like Boston Celtics in the first round
Sjboy Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 2:30 pm
Absolutely dynamite column Eddie!
One thing to note is, back then people overall were probably a little bit more mature, because they had to do a lot more for themselves, whereas today kids dont have to lift a finger.
What I am trying to get at is, today’s players will do a lot more of what happened to Rudy T back when he played versus a simple choke and pull.
Great column nonetheless.
Cordell Taylor Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 3:02 pm
Great Eddie,
I loved it, I agree, I dislike all the fraternizing between players. I enjoyed the days where the Knicks and Bulls hated each other, it was great to see Michael Jordan battle the Knicks and Bad Boy Pistons …MJ survived beatdowns and tough play. The heated rivalries made for the best TV and probably some of the highest ranked basketball games in NBA history. Hopefully, Lebron will skip all the pregame antics and dancing and focusing on winning big games. When the Cavs lost against Orlando last year, he walked off and sulked….thats the Lebron that is needed, he needs to get more mean to supplant KB for the crown.
Thats one of the reasons why I love the competitive juices of Kobe, recently he got into a lil “chippy” play with Matt Barnes, he did not run from it, he kept battling and actually seemed to like the physicality and the challenge, its near playoff time, i The rest of the league superstars like the ones in Orlando (Carter, Howard) seem to run from contact and like to joke around and play too much.
The Bulls-Celtics series last year was one of the best series of all time, in part because they did not like each other, it was clear that everyone hated Rondo and wanted a piece of him, hard fouls were constant, it was real playoff basketball. I sense that it will return this year if Orlando and the Lakers meet again, I cant wait.
Crunchtime Baller Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 3:18 pm
Well first of all, let’s just give credit to Bird for his scouting report on Eddie Johnson: all he could do was score!
He rebounded the ball somewhat decently for his first two-three years in the league and then gave that up to focus furthermore on scoring. He couldn’t play a lick of defense and passing the ball/lovin’ was never top of his list either. Had to get his own first and foremost!
Why this dude gets a blog boggles my mind, but hey, what do I know?
Trash or smack talk is just a waste of time. I have greater respect for players/athletes who let their game do the talking than those who feel they need to get in their opponent’s head, psyche him out or antagonise him just to have an edge over him.
I’m a Celtic fan and I love what Kevin Garnett does in pure terms of how he plays the game, but I wish he would keep his mouth shut and stop berating his opponents, questioning every call made by the ref (well that goes to every player really…especially Rasheed Wallace who, if we’re to take his side, has never committed a foul in his entire life!).
Just play the game. Some dude talks to you, ignore him. Be the bigger person, the better man. Tune him out and let your game speak for itself. Point blank. Nothing at all need be said.
And as far as players greeting each other et al…basketball is just a game. Yeah these guys get paid millions to play and win, but you have to keep things in perspective. It’s entertainment.
Should the players want to win at all costs? Don’t know about all costs, but yeah they need to show they want it more than their opponents. Does that mean there shouldn’t be any fraternising on the court? No.
Dan Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 3:18 pm
Good article, totally agree, but the NBA needs to take some blame for this. Banning fighting isn’t all that bad, but they’ve worked really hard to suppress a lot of the natural emotion that competition brings out.
A couple new Larry Bird stories : Celtics Town Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 3:31 pm
[...] Larry Bird, who he considers to be the epitome of a player who kept his opponents at a distance. (HoopsHype) That’s why I loved Bird – because he had no fake in him. He was an assassin and he took [...]
A couple new Larry Bird stories : Celtics Town Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 3:31 pm
[...] Larry Bird, who he considers to be the epitome of a player who kept his opponents at a distance. (HoopsHype) That’s why I loved Bird – because he had no fake in him. He was an assassin and he took [...]
ISRW Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 3:41 pm
Ironically, Eddie J’s impassioned plea for people to be hard nosed has provoked a chorus of yes men telling him how right he was to write it.
There’s gotta be a balance between competitiveness and sportsmanship. Larry Bird or anyone else inviting another player to his locker room as an extension of in-game smack, that’s out of hand. I want to root for a competitive team with backbone, yeah, and for a team that plays defense with fire, but I don’t want to root for thugs. How would Larry Bird’s career have gone if he’d gotten his leg broken in a pointless fight? That’s childish and stupid.
Isaiah Rider could easily have written this story, albeit with a different list of names. How would you all be reacting then?
PC Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 3:47 pm
Please forward this to every player in the league.
Particularly Vince.
That guy plays like he’s having friends over for brews.
Leiland Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 3:52 pm
Great stuff EJ.
By the way - you should put a link to your new blog entries on your twitter account - without Hoopshype tweeting a link it’s unlikely I would have read the piece.
Good luck tonight against the Jazz - maybe there will be some physicality and added competition with a remembrance of Robin Lopez’s flagrant foul on AK47 last time around. GO SUNS>
Sjboy Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 3:52 pm
ISRW,
You can take his column LITERALLY or you can gather what its main point is getting at, and that is… they dont play as hard as they can.
Today’s players are so stacked, they dont compete. Why are a bunch of teams losing money instead making money?
Well watch the NFL for 1 day, then watch the NBA. Are you kidding me? The competition level drops, about 5 - 7 notches. It doesnt even matter if you like football or not, you can appreciate pretty much everyone on the field absolutely KILLING themselves and talking trash, and wanting their teams on top.
In the NBA? Everyone knows everyone, and its like watching a celebrity game from time to time.
Sure if Larry would’ve broken his leg it would of been tragic, but Larry Bird is his own man, and he is who he is, because he doesnt listen to mumbo jumbo like ‘good sportsmanship’. He is paid to win, and thats it. How he does it? Well, who cares, but I can assure you in his 10+ yr career he never broke any laws, at least on the court.
You can keep attacking the ‘thug like mentality’ but … fact remains, chip on your shoulder now means you tweet about your problems, versus getting on the court and handling it there, where you should.
In other words, man up.
Mystery Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 4:00 pm
ISRW:
What are you talking about. First of all I am pretty sure Isiah Rider is illiterate. Secondly how is it irony that people agree with Eddie saying that NBA players need to stop acting like best friends when a game is on the line. Go out for a beer after the game but before and during the game there should be no high fives, with the other team, no laughing, no dancing on the sidelines.
I don’t care if players shake hands or fist bump before the game, but seeing full embraces and guys laughing just as the ball is about to tipped off is just silly.
PC Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 4:07 pm
Agree to a point, Sjboy.
The difference with NFL is also the 16 game schedule.
You give the NBA only 16 games to play for a chance at the playoffs, and then i’m sure we’d notice a hike in intensity.
the first 50 games are for show, with the last 32 that start heating up.
jn Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 4:09 pm
I don’t think LeBron proved to be a competitor when he was unable to accept defeat, just like I don’t think the Pistons proved to be competitors when they walked away. They just proved that they could dish it but not take it. I fail to see the difference between those two situations.
Quite frankly, I think it’s irrelevant. I don’t care if players hug each other or not, I just want them to play hard. And I think that they do, now more than ever.
Dubs Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 4:19 pm
Bird was surely one of the best in the regard you describe Eddie, but what the 91 Pistons did is a great example of the “way it used to be.” Considering you’re a Chicago product, you should have a little more respect for Isiah. The fact that your entire column describes Isiah to a T, proves just that. Isiah may not have been the most PC guy in the room, and if you want to make a distinction between walking off the court and not acknowledging the opposing team in a blowout final game and doing the same once the game is over so be it, but as far as “assasins” go, Zeke is top dog…he cheshire cat at its finest.
mvb Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 4:31 pm
I liked reading this commentary, although I disagree with the premise. I genuinely enjoy the guys I play with at noon, but that doesn’t take away from our competitiveness. I think it’s the same with LeBron/Carmelo, Vince/everybody.
eddie Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 5:14 pm
Crunchtime Baller Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 3:18 pm
Well first of all, let’s just give credit to Bird for his scouting report on Eddie Johnson: all he could do was score!
He rebounded the ball somewhat decently for his first two-three years in the league and then gave that up to focus furthermore on scoring. He couldn’t play a lick of defense and passing the ball/lovin’ was never top of his list either. Had to get his own first and foremost!
Why this dude gets a blog boggles my mind, but hey, what do I know?
Trash or smack talk is just a waste of time. I have greater respect for players/athletes who let their game do the talking than those who feel they need to get in their opponent’s head, psyche him out or antagonise him just to have an edge over him.
I’m a Celtic fan and I love what Kevin Garnett does in pure terms of how he plays the game, but I wish he would keep his mouth shut and stop berating his opponents, questioning every call made by the ref (well that goes to every player really…especially Rasheed Wallace who, if we’re to take his side, has never committed a foul in his entire life!).
Just play the game. Some dude talks to you, ignore him. Be the bigger person, the better man. Tune him out and let your game speak for itself. Point blank. Nothing at all need be said.
And as far as players greeting each other et al…basketball is just a game. Yeah these guys get paid millions to play and win, but you have to keep things in perspective. It’s entertainment.
Should the players want to win at all costs? Don’t know about all costs, but yeah they need to show they want it more than their opponents. Does that mean there shouldn’t be any fraternising on the court? No.
——————————————————————————–
glad you got me figured out. Now come say it to my face crunchtime. What did you do in crunchtime? give that name back. the only crunch time you had was your cereal rookie.
You want Garnett to change for you? give me a break Crunchie. You wouldnt have another title if it was not for him.
here is my scouting report on you. talks loud but real soft. pay him no mind!
eddie Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 5:20 pm
Dubs Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 4:19 pm
Bird was surely one of the best in the regard you describe Eddie, but what the 91 Pistons did is a great example of the “way it used to be.” Considering you’re a Chicago product, you should have a little more respect for Isiah. The fact that your entire column describes Isiah to a T, proves just that. Isiah may not have been the most PC guy in the room, and if you want to make a distinction between walking off the court and not acknowledging the opposing team in a blowout final game and doing the same once the game is over so be it, but as far as “assasins” go, Zeke is top dog…he cheshire cat at its finest.
—————————————————————————-
Yes i know isiah well–we grew up together. yes he could have been the subject of this article as well as hundreds more. what they did in 91 was not how it use to be. that was wrong!
eddie Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 5:22 pm
mvb Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 4:31 pm
I liked reading this commentary, although I disagree with the premise. I genuinely enjoy the guys I play with at noon, but that doesn’t take away from our competitiveness. I think it’s the same with LeBron/Carmelo, Vince/everybody.
————————————————–
Here is the difference—you are having fun, we were working sir. please don’t mix the two. you lose you go back to your job. We lose we could lose our job.
Harry Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 5:47 pm
What a bunch of crap. You don’t have to hate to play to win. Anyone that does is in serious need of therapy or is just and A-Hole. It’s a game, people. Play hard, play to win and have a beer with your opponent afterwards, or before.
I was always taught when you knock an opponent down, you give him an hand up. I’m a criminal defense attorney, so I know all about competition. Most of the deputy prosecutors in my town would rather not go to trial against me, but they don’t mind having a drink with me at the end of the day.
Alex Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 5:49 pm
Eddie,
The Larry Bird stories are awesome! I really love to hear those…
Not too sure if I agree about the LeBron story. The media over did it there, but I think a high profile athlete like him needs to be a fair looser. They lost to the better team so at least give them some respect right there.
Otherwise cool story as always!
Benjamin Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 6:32 pm
Harry,
They’ll have a beer with you because you’re a public defender…people hate the “real lawyers”.
Working in the court of law is completely different from the physical+mental nature of basketball, football, hockey, etc. You have to get the blood flowing and the testosterone signaling, and as men, we have intrinsic mechanisms that allow us to secrete endogenous testosterone. It’s well docuemented that “victories” enable testosterone production, so smack-talking and scoring is a victory and gives the winner even more of an edge.
On the other hand, if you’re a puss*, you have no balls and won’t get the testosterone production you need to shove it down your opponents throat (and judging by your post, you fit the bill).
Earl Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 7:12 pm
I don’t think player should not give hugs and shakes before and after the game but during the game it is all war. I think you can play hard and not and still be respective and at least show good sportmanship. I understand what lebron did though. I mean that big of an emotional blow and you would want to go somewhere and collect yourself and same with Peyton Manning. I just hate how only certain people get knocked for doing stuff. There should be consistency. I play people all the time and i give them their due but that does not mean i am not playing them hard. Eddie may have had to do that to play well but not everyone needs to do that. Also players are too athletic and bigger because everyone lift now so after a while they had to tone the game down because of fights and other stuff. In a perfect world you would wish to have it all but to control fighting and increase money making because not a lot of people that are not jocks want to see the game the way it was before. People who play sports do but not average people.
Steve Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 7:25 pm
I dont think there is anything wrong with players being friendly before (and even during) the game. Every player is different. Why should they have to comply with the kind of deameanor that you think is appropriate?
Hating your opposition works for you? fine. That works for you, but not everyone is the same. Not everyone needs to have white line fever to be competitive.
The fact is a lot of these guys are good friends. They play a lot with each other in the off season these days (with team USA, and the Euro guys have been playing with and against each other in junior and senior national team tournaments for years) which I guess happened less back in the day.
I havent seen this affect their competitiveness on the court at all. I know when I play against my buddies, I’m probably more competitive.
I’m all for letting each player have their own personality, not something manufactured.
http://travellingsportsfan.blogspot.com/
Hott Dogg Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 8:01 pm
terje and i bet you think Kobe is better than Jordan.
Jeff Todd Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 9:33 pm
Eddie,
Interesting premise, but times a changing man. Tiger be with ‘ta hoes and its all up in my face and I cant breath. Like, dis guy is telling me this and this other guy is saying its the opposite. What am I supposed to do? Order a @#$%^&* pizza?
good god man
herbal_tea* Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 9:59 pm
While I enjoyed reading your article, I don’t think you can blame the players, I think you gotta blame the time period. Players would get suspended for weeks if they started fighting. You can’t even jump off the bench and take 2 steps onto the court without getting suspended for 2 games. It’s ridiculous. Stern is a hoe and has slowly made American professional basketball games dull and predictable. You can tell him I said that too.
MC_cHampsta Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 11:14 pm
Ben said : “I love stories like this Eddie, keep ‘em coming. I hate it that everything is a foul right now. Last night when Orlando was playing Miami Dwight got whistled for a foul, he bounced the ball quite hard in frustration and got a T. Are you kidding me? They wouldn’t give you a T back in the days because of that. Eddie, that’s also one of the reasons players don’t talk a lot of smack, for the simple reason that you get whistled for a T that easily. You have to be a robot on the court, because the League is overly concerned with its image.”
Dan said “Good article, totally agree, but the NBA needs to take some blame for this. Banning fighting isn’t all that bad, but they’ve worked really hard to suppress a lot of the natural emotion that competition brings out.”
That is the reality of it. You can’t be aggressive, emotional, or overly competitive anymore. If you even get flustered and look at somebody wrong, you get a T.
Yes, I believe that a lot of players are good friends, the Olympic Team is a great example. But today, you get a technical for getting mad, which is a natural emotion in a competitive atmosphere. You get fined for post-game comments that are the slightest bit negative. It’s total BS to ask someone to be 100% politically correct 5 min after running up and down the hardwood in a professional sports atmosphere.
It’s not the players fault, the league needs to let them play.
Jake Said,
March 20, 2010 @ 1:55 am
Eddie, I really enjoyed reading this article, and to be honest, I hate reading. Very well written, and I couldn’t agree more with 99% of the things that you said. Keep it up, man. Not to make my post seem less professional, but fuck the media. Great post, Eddie.
George J Said,
March 20, 2010 @ 2:02 am
I think it was the second Barrera vs Morales fight, which wasn’t nearly as good as the first one when they went at each other like mad men, that evidently disappointed George Foreman commented that in the first fight they fought like bums and “now they fight like millionaires”. I am not saying that players of past generations were bums, I just think that the players today are more concerned about their pay-checks and partying than winning. David Stern and his corporate suits have turned the NBA into a corporation and just like I do my corporate job just enough not to get fired, so do many in the NBA. I agree with everything that Eddie said, but I also agree with several comments that say that the NBA has turned the players into drones who are just their to do their part and sell products. Not all of them but many anyway.
Too Much Love - Blog by Eddie Johnson - True Sports Core Forums Said,
March 20, 2010 @ 2:36 am
[...] Bird go speak to every team before the season ends and show them how it
Miguel Said,
March 20, 2010 @ 3:02 am
One of your best articles yet. Try to keep the biasness away and people may start respecting what you write.
Ycky Said,
March 20, 2010 @ 6:54 am
So Larry Bird invited you back to his hotel room after a game for some more sweaty competition? Please don’t finish that story!
Yucky!
Chris B. Said,
March 20, 2010 @ 6:58 am
Eddie said:
“glad you got me figured out. Now come say it to my face crunchtime. What did you do in crunchtime? give that name back. the only crunch time you had was your cereal rookie.
You want Garnett to change for you? give me a break Crunchie. You wouldnt have another title if it was not for him.
here is my scouting report on you. talks loud but real soft. pay him no mind!”
———————-
LOL Eddie, that was classic. Oh man, thanks for the laugh.
Chris B. Said,
March 20, 2010 @ 7:10 am
Hey Crunchtime Baller:
You said, and I quote:
“Trash or smack talk is just a waste of time. I have greater respect for players/athletes who let their game do the talking than those who feel they need to get in their opponent’s head, psyche him out or antagonise him just to have an edge over him.”
Well then, you must hate how Bill Russell played the game then. In 1965 in Sports Illustrated Russell wrote an article talking about how he talked trash and said:
“Say I am standing next to a rookie who has just come into the game—some hotshot college All-America who is not yet used to his rookie role. The action is swirling all around him, and I say to him, casually, “Hey, what’s the matter with you, baby? Don’t they ever pass that ball to you? What are you, a nothing on this club?” Oh, yeah, they laugh it off. But you can see them thinking about what you said.”
Hmmm, some serious trash talking there. You must hate Bill Russell as a player, because he built his game around his Psycholoigical games and trash talking, but don’t take my word for it, Google “The Psych…and my other tricks” and read Russell’s words for yourself.
Can you be a real, true Celtics fan and hate the way Bill Russell played?
Shantaram Marley Said,
March 20, 2010 @ 7:39 am
How about this for an article title “Too much Love: The Vince Carter Story”. I have never seen a player have so much fun losing. Every ex-VC fan has their most annoyed moment, either from on-court lack of effort, babbling interviews, or the fact that his mom had to get a job with the Raps for him to re-sign. I would like to quickly share my favorite half-man half-heart story.
I was surprised with courtside tickets to VC’s annualy charity game. After the 1st half, my girlfriend was commenting on how entertaining Vince was and how great it is that stars play this hard for charity. Well, it turns out she thought Shawn Marion was Vince, as he was the one flying up and down the court, dunking and draining threes. Marion had 63pts that night, Vince about 15. In his OWN charity game Vince didnt even get up 15 shots. I realize Zan Tabak is an intimidating defender, but wow was that weak. He then ended to farce of a show by doing some stupid strip tease with Shammond Willams at mid-court after the game.
Great insider Bird stories Eddie, really enjoyed that. I do hate all the choreographed stuff before games, but in my memory Reggie Miller (who I am a big fan of) was one of the worst for this back in the day, so we cant say this is just a new thing.
My main beef is the helping off the floor. That takes your energy and strength and saves your opponents. Why stop there? Why not rebound for them during warm-ups and bring them a Gatorade when they come off the floor? I am tired of watching such soft hoops. I am living in the UK and I’m acutally starting to watch SOCCER to see some toughness. Need I say more?
Great job Eddie, looking forward to the next one.
Shantaram Marley
SKY Said,
March 20, 2010 @ 9:49 am
Blame David Stern.
omlounge Said,
March 20, 2010 @ 11:16 am
I agree 100%… Unfortunately, today’s player also doesn’t know where to draw the line… They take a chest bump and a push and turn it into something off the court or start an all out brawl….. Also, the league helps these players become babies, stop handing out flagrant fouls after the game is done… Stop suspending players after 16 technicals…..I agree eddie we need the edge back…. I say it all along, michael was friends with everyone he played against, but when he was on the court, he was out to kill, didn’t matter if it was his mother on the other team…. Game time was game time….old school baby!!
Anthony Maxwell (Everyday NBA) Said,
March 20, 2010 @ 11:23 am
Great post Eddie! I love to hear your commentary on Suns games. Your humor and knowledge on both the team and the NBA in general is great and makes Suns games even more exciting. I love to hear your stories of players you faced and teammates you shared battles with. Keep it up and please check out my blog as it is picking up momentum and drop a line if you have the time. Thank you for everything you did and do for our Phoenix Suns and your insight to the League as well!
zedood Said,
March 20, 2010 @ 11:40 am
good article. Thanks for sharing Eddie. BUT:
1) the “giants” of the era you talking about would be the midget of today in terms of strenght and speed. Bird was probably as big and strong as let’s say Troy Murphy ? True, today’s game is much more controlled than it was in the 80’s but your nostalgy makes you look at today’s game in a strange way.
I remember when shaq came into the game in early 90’s, he suddenly made Oakley look skinny, the same Oakley one mentioned as one of the most feared and respected fighter(truth) was simply not strong enough to handle it. I know that Hakeem kicked shaq’s ass but the dreamshake was not that physical was it?
It’s very interesting to see a compilation of Shaq’s early years dunks to see how, all of a sudden, the former feared and ‘physical’ players looked slow and weak.
Which 2 guard of the eighties would be able to handle Le Bron today, come on guys, he’s as wide and heavy as Mason who was playing at 4 and 5 when Ewing was resting and Oak in foul trouble.
The players are stronger and faster than 25 years ago that’s a fact, even though i’m as nostalgic as you are of the old time, when the purpose of the game was to avoid the opponent not to bump him.
2) the main problem is the MONEY that is on the line, what do you have to fight for when you get from 10 to 40 millions a year to run on a court… It helps with friendship ain’t it?
And, with all the endorsements you get as a BB player you need to develop a positive, accessible, image of yourself… Ask Le Bron, Howard or Kobe how much do they their smile on the court is worth? Or ask their agent maybe
3) Someone mentioned European BB, as i’m living in France i can tell you that Euroleague basket ball is VERY defensive and VERY physical, relatively to the size and athleticism of the players of course, I don’t think David Stern is much enclined to have games ending with 69-66 as we regularly have here… And yes you still can see a player helping an opponent he had just fouled hard. It doesn’t change anything to the game.
Kingsblade Said,
March 20, 2010 @ 1:52 pm
zedood:
You have completely missed the point of the article.
George J Said,
March 20, 2010 @ 2:46 pm
Zedood, my friend,
since you are so knowledgeable of the game perhaps you know that Shaq often refers to himself as the Last True Center. Yes, he plays like they used to back in the 80’s. He is the only one to do so in recent memory. , but now he gets in too much foul trouble because of the stupid rule that forces centers to have to take charges to stop driving guards, who, of course, come down the lane much much faster than they used to because of the no hand checking rule on the perimeter. Shaq makes everyone look skinny except for Sabonis and Stanley (who, btw, was the better player back in the day).
Please tell me which other center today would compare to some of the 80’s guys.
Bird mostly played small forward and Murphy plays center. I think you just proved yourself wrong inadvertently with that comparing the two. Let alone the fact that Troy Murphy should just be happy he gets to walk in the same building as Bird every day. So, please do not compare the two.
As to your ridiculous statement that players today are faster and bigger than before. First of all, MJ, for one, was so fast that he used to get whistled for walks when he came into the NBA until the Chicago Bulls sent the league some slow-mo tapes to show them he wasn’t. Today’s players appear to be faster and stronger ON TV, my friend. you might want to go and watch them live to see the difference. Since you live in France you probably watch soccer and if you pay attention you would notice in English Premier League matches players seem to be running faster and they seem to be stronger than say the Spanish League ones, who appear to be almost walking. Yet, the Spanish teams still seem to beat them more often than not. The reason my friend is camera work. Same in the NBA today. They use handy camera work to make these guys look huge and faster like freaking cheetahs. TV is big bucks and they have to make it look awesome.
Players look much more pumped up, I’ll give you that. But stronger, I have serious doubts. Good quality muscle is not always the biggest looking one.
Who would guard LBJ? I woud say Scottie Pippen for one.
Crunchtime Baller Said,
March 20, 2010 @ 3:02 pm
eddie Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 5:14 pm
“glad you got me figured out. Now come say it to my face crunchtime. What did you do in crunchtime? give that name back. the only crunch time you had was your cereal rookie.
You want Garnett to change for you? give me a break Crunchie. You wouldnt have another title if it was not for him.
here is my scouting report on you. talks loud but real soft. pay him no mind!”
Hey Eddie, I’m sorry if I offended you, but when I read your blog entry and you had that line where you recall how Bird told YOU that YOU were just a scorer…it just clicked, I just was in complete agreement with that statement.
Much like I would have agreed had he said that about other great/pure scorers Dominique Wilkins or Adrian Dantley.
There’s nothing wrong with being a scorer first and foremost…obviously you have to outscore the other team to win.
But the fact is that teams who are led by guys who are purely/primarily scorers and who don’t have much of an impact in other areas of the game (defense, running offense, intangibles) rarely win championships! That’s a fact!
And you’re probably right about Garnett - he’s not going to change, which is a real shame because he’s been made out to be a role model to kids in the US and around the world…and yet you hear him cursing/cussing his opponents all the time. Is that really something that should be made an example of for up and coming young players? To let them know it’s ok to be swearing and cursing like that?
I know that Garnett says Sam Mitchell, Terry Porter and the late Malik Sealy were guys he really looked up to. Not sure any of them would say they love his foul language!
And Eddie, you played with Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler…I’d like to think that The Glyde was the quiet kind, but I’m sure he dabbled in a bit of trash-talk…
But Dream was not one to get involved in smack talk…he just let his game do the talking for him. He just played the game, didn’t get in opponents’ faces and what does he have to show for being true to the game? A Hall of Fame career. That’s the bottom line to me.
I’ve got to say, I’ve read a lot of your blogs and heard/seen you do colour commentating…you sound very displeased with the state of basketball today…not just the “too much love issue”, just everything…
So I want to ask, why are you so bitter and/or angry? Do you feel players are taking the game for granted too much? Or just playing for money rather than the game itself? I’m asking for real. I’m genuinely interested in understanding what’s fueling this borderline anger towards today’s basketball.
Thanks for your time.
Not-so-crunchtime Baller.
Crunchtime Baller Said,
March 20, 2010 @ 3:36 pm
Chris B. Said,
March 20, 2010 @ 7:10 am
“Hey Crunchtime Baller:
You said, and I quote:
“Trash or smack talk is just a waste of time. I have greater respect for players/athletes who let their game do the talking than those who feel they need to get in their opponent’s head, psyche him out or antagonise him just to have an edge over him.”
Well then, you must hate how Bill Russell played the game then. In 1965 in Sports Illustrated Russell wrote an article talking about how he talked trash and said:
“Say I am standing next to a rookie who has just come into the game—some hotshot college All-America who is not yet used to his rookie role. The action is swirling all around him, and I say to him, casually, “Hey, what’s the matter with you, baby? Don’t they ever pass that ball to you? What are you, a nothing on this club?” Oh, yeah, they laugh it off. But you can see them thinking about what you said.”
Hmmm, some serious trash talking there. You must hate Bill Russell as a player, because he built his game around his Psycholoigical games and trash talking, but don’t take my word for it, Google “The Psych…and my other tricks” and read Russell’s words for yourself.
Can you be a real, true Celtics fan and hate the way Bill Russell played?”
Chris B, yeah I’m well aware of the tricks the great Bill Russell used to pull back in the day.
But let’s be honest, read that quote of what he would say to those players and compare it to what is being said these days: the stuff Mr Russell said pales in comparison to some of the sh*t you hear nowadays!
Mr Russell’s trash talk was a little more subtle than what you see and hear these days…as the Celtic great said himself, he would make those remarks and those players would laugh it off but it somewhat stayed engrained in those players’ heads.
So there was something of an art to his ability to get inside their heads. It was cunning trickery. At least it was carefully thought out. It’s nowhere near the stupid and immature name calling and talking about a guy’s mother or other relative that you get these days.
I actually had the great honour and pleasure of meeting and talking to Mr Russell last year. He’s an amazing person to talk to. Could and did listen to him talk for hours.
He remembers all the players he faced in his pro career. He may not remember all their names, but has mental picture of just about every one of them. Even remembered the international players he faced at the 1956 Olympics.
Mystery Said,
March 20, 2010 @ 5:31 pm
Crunchtime baller said
And you’re probably right about Garnett - he’s not going to change, which is a real shame because he’s been made out to be a role model to kids in the US and around the world…and yet you hear him cursing/cussing his opponents all the time. Is that really something that should be made an example of for up and coming young players? To let them know it’s ok to be swearing and cursing like that?
————————————————————————————-
The point of professional sports is to win. If you are a professional basketball player or any sport for that matter you should be able to perform to the best of your abilities no matter what your opponent is saying to you. Garnett teaching kids to have passion and to play with a competitive edge is in no way bad for society. Garnett does not carry guns, he doesn’t do drugs he doesn’t even twitter. What he does do is play hard every possession and make every player around him better.
Other than Kobe and Garnett there are not many people that just come and play basketball. To them it’s about winning and nothing else. Sure they make more money than anybody but that probably has a direct correlation with the fact that they seem to be the hardest working players in the league. They don’t dance on the sideline they don’t laugh with their opponents during the game. Today because the money is so high players can get by on talent alone. Talent however isn’t enough to win, you have to be willing to work and get better every day. You have to have an intensity that puts fear in the eye of your opponent. Trash talking is part of sports and shouldn’t be looked down upon, it’s a way for players to get hyped up and take their game to another level.
Mystery Said,
March 20, 2010 @ 5:49 pm
crunchtime baller said:
Mr Russell’s trash talk was a little more subtle than what you see and hear these days…as the Celtic great said himself, he would make those remarks and those players would laugh it off but it somewhat stayed engrained in those players’ heads.
So there was something of an art to his ability to get inside their heads. It was cunning trickery. At least it was carefully thought out. It’s nowhere near the stupid and immature name calling and talking about a guy’s mother or other relative that you get these days.
————————————————————————————-
How is it ok for Russell to trash talk but players today not so much. You have no idea what Russell used to say. You know what Russell wants you to know about what he said. I watch as many Celtic games as I can, on television and when they visit Toronto. I have sat court side for a game between the raptors and Timber wolves when the wolves had Garnett, Cassell and Sprewell and It was near impossible to hear what those guys were saying.
I am sure if you had a conversation with known trash talkers like Payton, Garnett, Cassell and Miller you would find that they are all very sophisticated gentlemen. I am sure you would have no problem talking to any one of those guys for hours.
Pep Said,
March 21, 2010 @ 4:58 am
I think the game should be a balanced mix of testosterone and neuron. It is not necessary to let the primitive side of your mind usually prevail over your behavior in a bball court just with the excuse of the competitiveness. The way you explain Byrd was acting is easy, just let your aggressiveness go out. Is this either a valuable killing instinct in competition or some occasional loose of self-control ? People will not remember him for this kind of stuff but for his intelligence around the game. IMO aggressiveness in sports and in real life is absolutely overrated in USA.
Bongstradamus Said,
March 21, 2010 @ 6:28 am
Loved this article, I get so frustrated when the media or people get all wussed out about teams just demolishing other teams or when guys like LeBron walk off the court in disgust.
To claim that a team blowing out another team and running up the score is unprofessional is like giving everyone a ribbon or a trophy for just participating. If you dont wanna get your a$$ beat on the court, then PLAY HARDER. Dont whine and complain about the score being run up and how cruel it was, learn to show the f!@$ up!
I miss the old days when basketball was more of a physical sport. My high school coach told me to throw as many elbows as possible, to always get contact when attacking the rim or lean to get contact on jumpers. He made us harass the ballhandlers on every possession, to use knees, step on feet, tangle them up, whatever it was we had to do to get an edge.
We talked our fair amount of smack too, but we were taught to play hard and leave it all on the court. I, too, get tired of these wuss fests. I wanna see rivalries, not a country club party of millionaires laughing and joking around on the floor.
BigSky25 Said,
March 21, 2010 @ 9:11 am
Being a Raptor fan I had to endure watching Wince play like a pussy, tank games, fake injuries, always smiling and laughing on the bench when they were losing and hug everybody on the opposing team after each loss. It is no coincidence that when Oakley (old school player) was a Raptor he challenged Wince every night and brought out the best in him. Wince is the product of today’s NBA where guaranteed contracts have crippled this league. I honestly thought Stern was going to change things in the new CBA but apparently not. If contracts were similar to the NFL or God forbid the PGA where you actually have to win to earn a paycheck, just imagine how much better the game would be. I’m off topic a bit here but I understang what EJ is saying….it’s true, most players just don’t compete in today’s game like they did in the past. The love ins and big money contracts have hurt the game. I heard Rick Mahorn has aspirations of becoming the new commish…just imagine lol.
Z Said,
March 21, 2010 @ 9:49 am
Eddie,
I agree with everything you said in this article. One question: do you think that Larry Bird was more of an “assassin” than Michael Jordan?
Rashidi Said,
March 21, 2010 @ 4:21 pm
It’s called sportsmanship. They teach it as a youth so you don’t run around trying to make people bleed like a classless fool.
IT’S JUST A GAME.
TheR Said,
March 21, 2010 @ 7:24 pm
2 things
Trading: Teams trade players all the time, guys sign with other teams. They may have even played in AAU with some of the other players. Most players know each other pretty well.
More intense media coverage: Lebron couldn’t go to the Magic locker room after the game without bringing 20 cameras.
eddie Said,
March 21, 2010 @ 9:11 pm
Z Said,
March 21, 2010 @ 9:49 am
Eddie,
I agree with everything you said in this article. One question: do you think that Larry Bird was more of an “assassin” than Michael Jordan?
——————————————————————————
they both scared me! lol
eddie Said,
March 21, 2010 @ 9:17 pm
Rashidi Said,
March 21, 2010 @ 4:21 pm
It’s called sportsmanship. They teach it as a youth so you don’t run around trying to make people bleed like a classless fool.
IT’S JUST A GAME.
———————————————-
Rashidi
I agree with you when it’s at the High School and below level. You need to be educated on how to talk trash and be a mean sob on the court.
When it becomes a business (college and Professional) different story my man. every soft college player i will find a coach trying to take the scholarship back. every soft pro i will find a team trying to trade or cut him.
Your level is what you know and you will never understand this level. that is why you get 8 responses a blog on your site. i told you before to stop trying to reach my level. you cant reach it with a ladder or a crane. until you go experience it. so go copy and paste that on your weak blog~!
Now thats some trash talk Rashidi lol
Harry Said,
March 21, 2010 @ 11:34 pm
Benjamin has proven himself to be a complete idiot. So pay attention, while I show why all of your assumptions are wrong and why you have made an ass of yourself.
First, I am a private criminal defense attorney, not a public defender.
Second, I lettered in Football, Basketball, Track and Volleyball in high school and threw shot put and discuss in college. I have experienced that testosterone you talk about so much, but it seems you have nothing more in your make up.
Lastly, when you are fighting for someone’s liberty or, possibly their life, here are no higher stakes. Anyone with any integrity will put their all into it. It is far more competitive than any athletic contest and far more important.
Be a man and try to show you have the brains to prove your thesis in an argument instead of throwing a bunch false personal attacks.
Jack Johnson Said,
March 22, 2010 @ 4:17 am
Eddie,
Not everyone shares the same views as you. There were many players, in fact, a majority, of players who didn’t act this way in the 80s. Please be more open minded, and actually analyze society instead of always being so narrow minded.
Steve Watkins Said,
March 22, 2010 @ 9:34 am
It is not just the players but the fans also. Fans should be pulling for their players to win but when a Kobe Bryant or Allan Iverson comes to town to break a scoring record, opposing fans start cheering for him at their own team’s expense.
I think part of the problem is that the NBA has become too much of a show rather than a competitive game. Players and fan’s don’t care as much about winning anymore - they seem to just want fancy one-on-one moves and circus shots. The defense is no longer able to touch an offensive player because it might interfe with some crazy dribbling move that you see on And - 1. Players are also able to carry the ball and travel all over the place. Lebron James gets away with it more than anyone. I cringe when I hear people say “he only took 2 steps”. You are not allowed 2 steps. YOU ARE ALLOWED ONE AND A HALF STEPS. One step with your non-pivot foot and the ball better be out of your hands before your pivot foot touches the floor.
I don’t want to rant but how can we get back to that? In my view, we need a commissioner who cares more about the game than he does about a show.
Steve Watkins Said,
March 22, 2010 @ 10:10 am
I think there is a big misconception about this “smacktalk” or wahtever you call it. A lot of people think it is poor sportsmanship and does not belong in the game. I disagree - a smart, competitive player looks for any advantage he can get and this is just part of the game. For example, to shoot effectively you have to have confidence. If you put up an ugly shot when you are tired, the shot doesn’t feel right and you tend to lose confidence. Its likely the shooter needs to move his feet and step into it better - rather than standing still like a statue. Should a defefender offer up this advice in the name of good sportsmanship? In my view, a good competitive defender will do the opposite - make a comment about how tired the player is and suggest he go sit down. That is because lowering that shooter’s confidence helps his team win.
Steve Watkins Said,
March 22, 2010 @ 10:47 am
Eddie, The NBA may be a job, but you don’t have to be a professional to want to win bad. College games look more competitive.
Dojo Said,
March 22, 2010 @ 11:44 am
Little Zen story, for perspective.
A warlord was terrorizing the villages in the region, and the monks in the local Zen monastery were increasingly edgy. As the warlord and his henchmen closed in, and the tales of their atrocities became more frequent and impassioned, the monks left the master one by one until only he was left. When the warlord stormed the walls of the monastery with blood-curdling screams, he raced at the head of his men through the passageways until he came to the master, sitting serenely in the center of the main hall. He raced up to the master, his sword drawn, and bellowed as he raised it over his head, “Fool! Do you not realize that you are looking at a man that could run you through without blinking an eye!!!”. And you, responded the Zen master, calmly, are looking at a man that can be run through without blinking an eye”. The warlord set down his sword, so the story goes, and became his disciple.
Rage, my men, rage against the windmills of your minds, hearts and souls!! Great you are in your puny, transitory battle of pride and honor! But if you would reach for the truest of human achievement, slay your opponent on the field, love him and support him like a brother off it, and say not a word in between!
eddie Said,
March 22, 2010 @ 11:55 am
Jack Johnson Said,
March 22, 2010 @ 4:17 am
Eddie,
Not everyone shares the same views as you. There were many players, in fact, a majority, of players who didn’t act this way in the 80s. Please be more open minded, and actually analyze society instead of always being so narrow minded.
———————————————————————
wrong! a majority of the players did exactly what i said. we did not hug and kiss before games and we played against each other like we were enemies and were friends off the court —–most importantly respected each other. So Jack you need to stop being so narrow minded and comment on what you know. i will respect you more. throw a rock and i will throw one back. welcome into my room.
eddie Said,
March 22, 2010 @ 11:56 am
Steve Watkins Said,
March 22, 2010 @ 10:10 am
I think there is a big misconception about this “smacktalk” or wahtever you call it. A lot of people think it is poor sportsmanship and does not belong in the game. I disagree - a smart, competitive player looks for any advantage he can get and this is just part of the game. For example, to shoot effectively you have to have confidence. If you put up an ugly shot when you are tired, the shot doesn’t feel right and you tend to lose confidence. Its likely the shooter needs to move his feet and step into it better - rather than standing still like a statue. Should a defefender offer up this advice in the name of good sportsmanship? In my view, a good competitive defender will do the opposite - make a comment about how tired the player is and suggest he go sit down. That is because lowering that shooter’s confidence helps his team win.
—————————————————————–
exactly
eddie Said,
March 22, 2010 @ 12:01 pm
Steve Watkins Said,
March 22, 2010 @ 10:47 am
Eddie, The NBA may be a job, but you don’t have to be a professional to want to win bad. College games look more competitive.
———————————————————————
why is it more competitive? quick answer. Its ugly basketball that levels itself off with poor shooting from both sides. College basketball is about the school and the win. It is not about the pure art of basketball. if you liik at it like that well then its disgusting to watch.
Nicky A Said,
March 22, 2010 @ 2:41 pm
Eddie I am 100% with you. I am still young, 22. Senior at UT. Used to play on the team and my father played professional tennis so I understand completely what you are saying. As far as half the people in this room go, you’ve probably never played basketball passed high school. Once you get to a high level of college ball or professional, it is a job, like any other job, there is competition. You don’t see people a manager of a hedge fund offering advice to another that will sacrifice their own profits. Just like you don’t see Bron telling Deshawn Stevenson he needs more legs under his shot. You need to keep your job and perform at the highest level day in and day out because your job is on the line.
If you’re a player in the L and you have other friends in the L, that is fine. But when it is game time, it is time to go to work and that means win. You can text your boy on the other team after the game when you win, not before the game, not during shoot around, not when someone is shooting free throws. Your only friends during game time have on the same color jersey.
As far as trash talk and hard fouls go, that is part of the game. Think about when Kurt Rambis got lit up by McHale, that was the difference in that game, and potentially the series. It shows that the Celtics were mentally tougher. Mental toughness and desire is just as important as talent when you get to that level. And if we are gonna talk about people, think about what MJ did, talked crap alllllll game. You think that it doesn’t get under peoples skin? That it has no bearing on a game? Of course it does.
I play pickup with friends and we will talk crap, get into fights, yelling matches nearly every time. It is because we want to win and even though there is no money on the line, there is pride. Which in todays NBA game, there is none.
Bottom line, you play the game to win. That is your job. Anybody that has a competitive bone in their body understands this. If you don’t play for the money, play for yourself, take pride in what you do.
I’m out…. like the Orlando Socializers…I mean Magic, in the first round
paul in chicago Said,
March 22, 2010 @ 2:59 pm
really nice article couldnt agree more the game is so much better with intensity
Steve Watkins Said,
March 22, 2010 @ 5:40 pm
So what is the solution?
Mystery Said,
March 22, 2010 @ 6:17 pm
College ball is great to watch because the only thing these guys have to play for is pride. It’s all about winning. There’s only a select few that know they are going to the show but even they want nothing more than to win a championship. They play with a passion every possession that is not seen in the pro leagues. The actual college game is pretty boring, the 35 second shot clock seems like an eternity, the zone defense slows the game down so much and the talent level is watered down to the point that a team like Ohio State plays only 6 players all game. All of that is made up for by the emotion shown by every player at every second.
Pros today for whatever reason seem like they just go through a routine. If they are fortunate enough to win that is great, if not it’s not a big deal because they have millions of dollars sleep on at night. Michael Jordan showed so much emotion after winning his sixth championship. After a while you think it would just get old. Players back then realized that winning was what would create a legacy. Other than Kobe Bryant I can not think of one player today that has an absolute killer instinct. Kobe is cut from a different cloth, somehow every year he gets better, during the game he is dead eyed, he is 100% focused on every play.
Eddie played in a time when players wanted so much to win just to be able to rub it in their opponents face. A time when winning a championship was the only true measure of a players place in sport. Now it’s the size of the contract not the number of rings.
Steve Watkins Said,
March 22, 2010 @ 7:43 pm
To find a solution, maybe we should look at the college ranks. They don’t play as well and they may be disgusting to watch but they fight like hell. Where is that fight coming from? What is driving them?
Maybe we can do something with the 82 game schedule. I can’t believe there is incentive to play tough when you know you have the playoffs wrapped up - so you play the whole season for a home court advantage of one lousy game? That is not much incentive.
I look at the Nets and they just disgust me with all their smiles and PC bullshit after a loss. They are disgusting, phonies. Maybe all members of a team that fail to win X number of games are kicked out of the league for at least one year.
Just brainstorming.
Mystery Said,
March 22, 2010 @ 8:31 pm
Not the same sport but here is a quote from a member of the Edmonton Oilers, the last place team in the NHL. This pretty much sums up the mentality of players today
“It’s pretty exciting for us,” admitted Gagner. “The way that things have gone this year to know that we are going to get a high pick is a little consolation.”
Steve Watkins:
Do you really have to ask what drives college players. See my above post. It’s pretty obvious what drives a college basketball player.
Also rashidi sucks
Steve Watkins Said,
March 23, 2010 @ 8:29 am
Mystery,
Eddie said the same thing - basically school pride. I think when you know you have to face up to other students as you walk around campus and sit in class with them looking up to you, you are going to put in some extra effort on the court.
Maybe there should be community events between NBA players and fans - so players have to go face up to their fans rather than retreat to their mansion.
DS Said,
March 23, 2010 @ 4:06 pm
Refs call tees for trash talking that is why players don’t do it anymore.
blackfujones Said,
March 23, 2010 @ 4:54 pm
whats going on guys, new poster here. but im echoing eddies sentiments loud and proud. Im chicago born n bred southside, and this soft product they have these days just makes me sick to my stomach. Its bad enough that they gear the game for more offense and less defense, but all the happy go lucky crap has got to stop. hence why i love derrick rose so much. hes all about BUSINESS on and off the court. he’s not kicking it with the other team, hes working on his craft. And a few things about, mushy players in the NBA. All this hugging, laughing, etc before n after the game kills me to no end. Last yrs playoffs with the celtics/bulls renewed my love for nba ball. Bc you honestly had two teams who genuinely did not like each other. And you could tell it wore off on guys on the team, bc noah almost pimp slapped LBJ when he decided to dance with his gf’s on the bench while they were winning.
blackfujones Said,
March 23, 2010 @ 4:57 pm
ill admit AAU has allowed guys to be best buddies
Steve Watkins Said,
March 23, 2010 @ 5:57 pm
I am starting to think these players should be going out into the community and getting involved in basketball tournaments, AAU, high school, etc. I am not familiar with the AAU but but players could be helping out in coaching these teams, keeping score, or being involved in some way.
Teams should be organizing basketball tournaments within the community and these tournaments should be run by the players. For example during the summer, you could have some players coaching, reffing, or some cooking barbeque.
If you start creating these bonds within the community, fans will come out to support them much more passionately and these players will not want to let these fans down.
If I was a team owner, I would be looking to put that in every players contract.
Hersey Said,
March 23, 2010 @ 7:20 pm
Great read Eddie. Great point about competing for contracts. I loved that doco and I too miss the days of real rivalries and intense competitors.
Mystery Said,
March 23, 2010 @ 10:09 pm
The best trash talker of all time in any sport goes by the nickname the Greatest of All Time. There is a reason that Ali may be the most recognizable face on the planet. Part of it was his skill but the rest was the way he rhymed off insults before during and after his fights. People loved that. The world waited to see what he would say next, hanging on the edge of their seats. His trash talk is legendary, if his opponents let him get in their heads he did his job. The same goes in any sport, it’s mental just as much as it is physical.
Steve Watkins Said,
March 24, 2010 @ 7:39 am
Many people call this a great article but I disagree. In my view, a great article should not only point out a problem but offer a reasonable solution. Other than Bird going around talking to players, which I doubt will do much, that part is missing. This is one half of a great article. I would like to see the other half.
Mystery Said,
March 24, 2010 @ 7:49 am
Steve Watkins:
Get over yourself man, It’s an article written by a guy trying to give some insight into how the league was back when he played.
It’s not a science experiment. There isn’t always going to be a problem and a solution in an article. Sometimes the best articles are the ones that make people think.
Just read the damn article and either agree or disagree but to say that it’s a bad article is a little off base. I for enjoyed the article very much, it gave me some insight into one of my favorite players and also echoed my exact sentiments that the league and players are getting soft.
Steve Watkins Said,
March 24, 2010 @ 8:08 am
Mystery,
Ididn’t say it was a bad article. But what is the point if no one is going to do anything? I don’t like the way the NBA is going downhill - I would really like to see something done about it!!!! There is tremendous potential here.
Steve Watkins Said,
March 24, 2010 @ 10:38 am
Teams that win these summer league tournaments that are run by the players should get occasional free tickets sitting right behind the team’s bench. I would rather see players fraternize with the people supporting them rather than the opposing team.
Steve Watkins Said,
March 24, 2010 @ 7:01 pm
Sorry to kill your blog Eddie. Seems like once the subject turned to answers everybody lost interest.
Nicky A Said,
March 24, 2010 @ 7:03 pm
Steve Watkins Said,
March 24, 2010 @ 7:39 am
Many people call this a great article but I disagree……
Steve Watkins Said,
March 24, 2010 @ 8:08 am
Mystery,
Ididn’t say it was a bad article.
uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh?????
Steve Watkins Said,
March 24, 2010 @ 7:21 pm
Nick A,
That’s right go figure it out and come back with a good answer other than uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
P. Francis Said,
March 24, 2010 @ 9:27 pm
Well said, Eddie. Since gradeschool, I always hated my opponents. They were trying to stop me and my teammates from achieving our goals.
Say what you may about Isiah Thomas as a coach/GM, but he was the ULTIMATE WARRIOR and leader on the court. Pound-for-pound, inch-for-inch, possibly the best player in NBA history. He did whatever it took to help his team win. He didn’t sit out with marginal injuries, and I remember many instances of him defending himself by going after Karl Malone, Bill Cartwright, etc. He molded his teammates, and controlled the locker room. He gets dissed because he wasn’t politically correct, and he didn’t kiss MJ’s butt. But those are the very traits that any competetor should have! Basically, unless you were a Bulls fan, you should hate that MJ was trying to beat your time. You can admire MJ’s abilities, but not during the season. Save it for later
Mystery Said,
March 24, 2010 @ 11:21 pm
Nicky A:
All you have to do is read through all of Steve Watkins previous posts and you will see he may not fully grasp the idea that society has changed. He thinks that if players had more of a personal bond with the community that they would play harder.
Weird I always thought that the fans that bought the seats would be more than enough of a bond. If a player isn’t playing to win every game whether they have a bond or not is just insulting to the true fans.
It seems that Dr. Watkins just wants to hear himself brainstorm stupid thoughts.
Steve Watkins Said,
March 25, 2010 @ 4:50 am
Mystery,
I never claimed to have all the answers - maybe it is a stupid thought, maybe it isn’t -
The point is MYSTERY _ YOU DON”T HAVE ANY THOUGHTS AT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Steve Watkins Said,
March 25, 2010 @ 6:19 am
Mystery Said,
March 22, 2010 @ 6:17 pm
…..
Pros today for whatever reason seem like they just go through a routine. If they are fortunate enough to win that is great, if not it’s not a big deal because they have millions of dollars sleep on at night.
Mystery Said,
March 24, 2010 @ 11:21 pm
If a player isn’t playing to win every game whether they have a bond or not is just insulting to the true fans.
I assume you are here because you are a true fan. You must enjoy being insulted. That is the difference between you and me.
Mystery Said,
March 25, 2010 @ 11:42 am
You say I have no thought’s in my head right. Then you go on and quote me. I am not the one asking Eddie dumb ass questions. You want pros to go out and coach little league. Wow what a great idea. If you were the GM of a team everyone would be playing for free right, just the love of the game.
Believe me your thoughts are stupid no one else wants to hurt your feelings.
James Said,
March 25, 2010 @ 11:44 am
Pistons hating rears its ugly head once again: it is ok for Lebron and Peyton, Celtics and Lakers, but poor sportsmanship for the Pistons to walk off the floor or field after a game. The Pistons will be back again and you will all be hating…again…
Steve Watkins Said,
March 25, 2010 @ 12:27 pm
Mystery,
I have listened to enough of your whining about how players don’t play hard. I am still waiting for you to give a constructive solution to the problem. Is it really that tough for you? Why can’t you think of one? Do you always let everyone else do your thinking for you? Who taught you how to roll over like that? Whoever it was did a good job. I bet you make a good pet.
Mystery Said,
March 25, 2010 @ 12:37 pm
You are the one with all the questions moron. Like I have been saying the whole time it’s up to the players. When the best players in the league Lebron and Dwight for example are the biggest offenders of the extra love, the rest of the league follows their lead.
You are on here asking people to come up with solutions what about you. Do you have one single thought in your head that is your own. You whiny little bitch, doesn’t even realize that society has played a huge factor in the way that any person goes about their business. Until the players decide to change nothing is going to be different. What do you want the commish to make a rule that their is no hugging and laughing.
I am a true fan because I actually realize the change and still am a die hard fan no matter what. it would just be nice to see these multi million dollar athletes actually play with some heart.
Steve Watkins Said,
March 25, 2010 @ 12:44 pm
Mystery,
What you want to happen ain’t happening. So keep rolling over and whining. Maybe your master will give you a treat.
Mystery Said,
March 25, 2010 @ 1:34 pm
It’s not what I want retard. It’s what all true fans of the sport that they grew up watching and loving wants. It’s what ex players like Eddie want.
Please keep digging yourself a bigger hole of dumb ass. It will be fun to see you try to climb out. I know you have never played a sport in your life and don’t really get the idea having heart.
Steve Watkins Said,
March 25, 2010 @ 1:42 pm
Mystery,
Your responses are getting more and more childish and negative-minded. I think positive so I am done with you. Good bye.
Mystery Said,
March 25, 2010 @ 2:04 pm
Steve Watkins Said:
I bet you make a good pet.
So keep rolling over and whining. Maybe your master will give you a treat.
————————————————————————————-
These are your quotes to me. You insult someone and then cry about being insulted back.
If you want to dish it you better be able to take it.
That’s the difference between you and me I can follow the code of trash talk. Stop being a bitch and man up.
Now I am done with you sir.
seanincaymanislands Said,
March 25, 2010 @ 2:44 pm
gotta say i agree here . watched a lakers game the other night and i hate the lakers..but what irked me most was the other team , except for one pesky defensive minded firbrand who made the whole show worthwhile, helping the lakers off the floor and smiling as they were getting their butts handed to them by the top team in the L. one word: PRIDE. the lakes are better than 28 other teams out there, that makes em your enemy for 48 minutes…despite my hatred for the guy i gotta say..kobe aint got no friends when he’s tearin ya’ll a new one on most nights. soft. soft. soft. gimme barkley, malone, payton et al anyday.
Steve Watkins Said,
March 25, 2010 @ 2:49 pm
Mystery,
That’s the code to follow? Hahahaha.
Peace
seanincaymanislands Said,
March 25, 2010 @ 2:57 pm
i cut my teeth on miami/ ny and bulls/ everyone in the 90’s. THAT was ballin. i literally shook with anger, frustration, hatred when the enemies were ahead . but at least my guys had heart. those 90’s teams….hawks with blaylock/smith/laettner….bulls with mj and the sixpeat bunch..heat with zo( all heart award) andknicks with oak. mason. ewing. riles..reggie and the davis boys in indy..and my top team ever…late 90’s sonics with gp, reignman and schempf et al. tough. great ball…one word people .YOUTUBE
Steve Said,
March 25, 2010 @ 7:03 pm
You attitude in regard to golf is immature. Maybe if you were more secure in who you are you could get over yourself.
Steve Watkins Said,
March 26, 2010 @ 8:02 am
Eddie,
After you got into it with Bird, did you hit your free throw?
Steve Watkins Said,
March 26, 2010 @ 8:42 am
Mystery,
What do you think? Do you think Eddie hit the free throw?
Steve Watkins Said,
March 26, 2010 @ 9:39 am
Mystery,
I don’t think he hit the free throw or he would have said he hit the free throw.
Joe Nunes Said,
March 26, 2010 @ 10:30 am
The problem with LeBron and Peyton is that they walk off when they LOSE. When they win, then they are all about pumping hands and hugging opposing players. That’s cry-baby stuff.
Steve Watkins Said,
March 26, 2010 @ 10:32 am
Mystery,
From Eddie’s article,
The next play I gave him a head fake, popped him in the mouth and drew a foul. While I was shooting the free throw, I said out loud, “I can make you bleed too.”
That’s it! Nothing about whether or not he made it.
Steve Watkins Said,
March 26, 2010 @ 1:52 pm
Steve,
He has the same attitude in basketball but you don’t mention that. The implication is that it is OK to have that attitude in basketball but not in golf. Why?
Steve Watkins Said,
March 27, 2010 @ 8:42 am
If there is one thing I hate its an empty court
PK Said,
March 31, 2010 @ 8:05 am
It’s funny how different the league is now from the time of Bird and Laimbeer and the hard hitting Knicks of the 80s. But a lot of that is how the league is trying to repair it’s image, after the Pacer/Pistons incident. So how do we draw the correct line in terms of family friendly entertainment and the hard hitting competition that we expect out of our players? I appreciate the column EJ but it is far easier said than done.
Brad Said,
March 31, 2010 @ 3:56 pm
I am a Knicks fan. 15 years ago, I was happy about this. This is because we had years of playoff series with the Bulls, Heat and Pacers where everyone wanted to kill each other. I loved the intensity of those games. I love hating Reggie Miller and Tim Hardaway. I loved Charles Oakley (that his number isn’t retired in NY makes me sick) for his effort, but also because he’d sooner step on his opponent’s neck than help him up.