Allen Iverson

[ThePurpleCobra 0]

Where will he end up being traded to?

[Chadd 916]

Before the cap I would have guessed the Rangers. Now, I'll guess the Yankees.

[RadioGaGa 162]

Before the cap I would have guessed the Rangers. Now, I'll guess the Yankees.

Don't care much for the "Association" do you?

[Chadd 916]

Before the cap I would have guessed the Rangers. Now, I'll guess the Yankees.

Don't care much for the "Association" do you?

I loved it when I was a kid. It was a team game and a lot like hockey in terms of playmaking. That was in the Celtics - Lakers heyday. Now, it's overly controlled by coaches, guys can't make a medium range jump shot and everyone is concerned about highlight reel dunks than playing a team game or even winning for that matter. Jordan changed the NBA forever and it wasn't a good thing.

[RadioGaGa 162]

Before the cap I would have guessed the Rangers. Now, I'll guess the Yankees.

Don't care much for the "Association" do you?

I loved it when I was a kid. It was a team game and a lot like hockey in terms of playmaking. That was in the Celtics - Lakers heyday. Now, it's overly controlled by coaches, guys can't make a medium range jump shot and everyone is concerned about highlight reel dunks than playing a team game or even winning for that matter. Jordan changed the NBA forever and it wasn't a good thing.

I think that is what is so great about a lot of the new talent in the NHL...specifically Ovechkin. He seems to be so over-the-top a team guy, but at the same time, can light it up and control a game all by himself.

[LegoDoom 0]

I loved it when I was a kid. It was a team game and a lot like hockey in terms of playmaking. That was in the Celtics - Lakers heyday. Now, it's overly controlled by coaches, guys can't make a medium range jump shot and everyone is concerned about highlight reel dunks than playing a team game or even winning for that matter. Jordan changed the NBA forever and it wasn't a good thing.

You don't think Jordan played a team game or cared about winning? Are you sure you watched the NBA in the 90's?

[Chadd 916]

I loved it when I was a kid. It was a team game and a lot like hockey in terms of playmaking. That was in the Celtics - Lakers heyday. Now, it's overly controlled by coaches, guys can't make a medium range jump shot and everyone is concerned about highlight reel dunks than playing a team game or even winning for that matter. Jordan changed the NBA forever and it wasn't a good thing.

You don't think Jordan played a team game or cared about winning? Are you sure you watched the NBA in the 90's?

I guess I should elaborate and clarify. Jordan was an amazing talent and wanted to win as much as any player of his generation and more than most. He also had an incredible work ethic that drove his personal improvement over the years. My issue is not with him, rather with the way others try to emulate his success without as the hard work. Making it to the NBA wasn't enough for him, he continued to improve and refine his game. That rarely happens anymore.

One problem is that a lot of his success came from isolating him on one side of the court with everyone else on the other side. Good coaching, bad for the game overall as it slowed the play down. I believe that has now been outlawed and that's a good thing.

Jordan was not a good shooter when he came into the league and it was his amazing one on one skills that grabbed everyone's attention. Over his career he became a pretty good shooter. That ability to shoot made him even more dangerous on the court as you couldn't just back off and dare him to shoot. Most kids didn't pay attention to that and only wanted to emulate the driving and dunking.

The NBA made a bad decision and encouraged that style of play by putting in the area where they can't be called for a charge. Even less reason for players to work on their shot. Players are throwing their bodies into defenders with no expectation of making a shot, simply trying to draw a foul and go to the line. I guess we should blame Bird for the great pump fakes too but at least he made the shots as often as not. People also lose sight of the fact that Jordan was trying to get to the hoop, not just trying to draw a foul. Charging has largely left the game along with traveling, palming and 3 second violations.

There's also a very fine line between a leader and a ball hog. Great players like Jordan want the ball when the game was on the line and step up to meet the challenge. A lot of guys just want the ball all the time so they can put up numbers and get a better contract.

I respect MJ but I feel that his influence led to a less enjoyable product over the long term.