The defense overall is terrible this year - On the league, not the players

The pace being up makes sense. I've seen quite a few games especially the Lakers games where it's like 7 seconds or less where both teams are just trying to score as quickly as possible, even if it means turning the ball over

Oh for sure you got kids that grew up watching Curry jack up 3s and they want to be just like him.

Anybody think that there might be an off chance of some kid, somewhere, growing up thinking: "I'm gonna stop guys like him."

This was always my motivation. I used to play soccer and basketball for most of my life. I always took pride in being a tough mother to beat. I knew there are guys way more creative and skilled than me on the other side of the court. At 5'10'', I'm not gonna stop big guys consistently. I'd be ashamed if I didn't try anyway, though. But lately, whenever I fight for position or cut my opponent off on his way to the rim, they'll call foul on me. That's what really bugs me about the NBA lately: kids learning just one dimension of the game, taking dumb shots, gambling on D, waiting for somebody to blow the whistle if you touch them. I'm turning 39 tomorrow, btw. It's ridiculous: gramps stops a guy half his age from getting to the hoop by playing smart, focused and experienced defense - and they call foul when they plow through my chest shoulder first and miss the layup. They even dare call me out for fouling intentionally. They tell me I have no skills because I don't jack up 3s in peoples' faces and I don't ankle break my defender instead of passing it to my wide open teammate. It's disrespectful not only towards me, but towards the game. Appreciate the game, you sissies.

Rant over. I just realized - I'm that old guy now.

Possibly. Right now, it seems everyone's trying to emulate him and what the Warriors are doing, but they're tough to beat at their own game. Eventually, someone who's adept at scoring in the post is going to recognise that the soft defense and soft foul calls would let a traditional big be a monster down low, and we're going to see another mini-revolution where teams realise they've been so focused on the perimeter, they've forgotten about the interior. If Shaq were in his prime and playing today, he'd been even more ridiculously dominant.

If Shaq were in his prime and playing today, he'd been even more ridiculously dominant.

Yeah, and he'd foul out after 10 minutes, because people would just crash into him all the time.

With the way they're favouring offensive players these days, he might get some of the calls he didn't when he played because he absorbed so much punishment because of his size.

With the way they're favouring offensive players these days, he might get some of the calls he didn't when he played because he absorbed so much punishment because of his size.

I bet we'd see even more of his coast-to-coast runs. Man, I loved Shaq. Nowadays, my opinion of him is a bit warped because of the way he presents himself on TNT from time to time. Then again, the man used to bully people on the court, too. Why would that change?

Hell of a player. Forgettable analyst.

Oh for sure you got kids that grew up watching Curry jack up 3s and they want to be just like him.

Anybody think that there might be an off chance of some kid, somewhere, growing up thinking: "I'm gonna stop guys like him."

This was always my motivation. I used to play soccer and basketball for most of my life. I always took pride in being a tough mother to beat. I knew there are guys way more creative and skilled than me on the other side of the court. At 5'10'', I'm not gonna stop big guys consistently. I'd be ashamed if I didn't try anyway, though. But lately, whenever I fight for position or cut my opponent off on his way to the rim, they'll call foul on me. That's what really bugs me about the NBA lately: kids learning just one dimension of the game, taking dumb shots, gambling on D, waiting for somebody to blow the whistle if you touch them. I'm turning 39 tomorrow, btw. It's ridiculous: gramps stops a guy half his age from getting to the hoop by playing smart, focused and experienced defense - and they call foul when they plow through my chest shoulder first and miss the layup. They even dare call me out for fouling intentionally. They tell me I have no skills because I don't jack up 3s in peoples' faces and I don't ankle break my defender instead of passing it to my wide open teammate. It's disrespectful not only towards me, but towards the game. Appreciate the game, you sissies.

Rant over. I just realized - I'm that old guy now.

Man, i don't play much anymore, but when I do the thing that I always have is my defense. My shot may be off but I'll never forget my love for playing good defense.

D- sounds like you need to find another gym or league to play in. much love for the gramps/defense

Yeah, sometimes I feel like a milky white half-size Charles Oakley out there...

Yes, the pendulum has swung too far. The balance between offense and defense is gone and basketball without hard-nosed defense lacks authenticity. All sizzle-no steak.

Teams have adjusted so there's less teams scoring 140 but it still happens on occasion

Yes, the pendulum has swung too far. The balance between offense and defense is gone and basketball without hard-nosed defense lacks authenticity. All sizzle-no steak.

Highlights aren't as exciting when there isn't any resistance to make them earned.