N-B-A = B-A-D Basketball

"It's a different brand of basketball." Those words came from my son-in-law as we watched an NBA playoff game, my first time watching an entire NBA game in several years. He's right.

No motion. No passing. Just clear out, jab step, crossover dribble, step up, step back, push off, forced contact, 1-on-1, 1-on-2, 1-on-whoever and on and on and on. It didn't matter which team had possession of the basketball either. 

Apparently, gone are the days of working the ball inside, driving strong to the hoop, utilizing the pick-and-roll and setting screens. What blatantly and obviously stood out the most to me was the lack of offense or really anybody in the key. And that offensive philosophy was the same for both teams. Teammates space themselves out beyond the three-point line and look to launch, often forcing, long, ugly forced three-point shots. 

Nobody in the key...n-o-b-o-d-y!

Breaking news: an NBA player (okay, he's a defender) is spotted in the key

It's just not the basketball I grew up playing and watching on the collegiate level or even in the NBA. If I had try to force the modern NBA way back with my first organized team, as a young elementary-age recreational league or junior high school player, I'd be on the bench. Back then, even with kids just learning the team game, it was about passing, teamwork, creating good shots and going to the basketball. The closer, the better.

Today's NBA is almost solely about long-distance shooting including logo three-pointers. When it's not, it's about one guy holding the ball for 6, 8, 12 seconds and then chucking it up. It's ugly. 

Some would say I'm just grumpy. Okay, I get it, I'm an old guy. The game is different. But I'm not alone in my criticism either. Charles Barkley, a fellow old guy and one recognized as a top-50 all-time professional player, criticizes today's NBA for a lack of team play and an overreliance on individuals forcing things. He's not wrong.

Oh well, there's always the college game or high school or even junior high. I do love the game. I played organized or pick up for the majority of my 60-plus years. I'll just swallow hard and accept it for what it is - a different brand of basketball.