Local column in Columbia, SC

[bocelts@scsn.net (R. Bentz Kirby)]

In his column today, Doug Nye makes the following observation about the
NBA today:

The State May 24, 1997:

Sorry Performances.  Overall, television ratings are down for the NBA
playoffs this year.  To understand why, all one has to do is check out
the less than stellar action that's unfolding.

Even with Jordan on hand, Thursday's Bull-Heat game was a bore.
Shooting percentages have been stunningly bad, and it's not because of
anything that resembles good defense.

Both Chicago and Miami shot under 36 percent Thursday night in the
Bulls' 75-68 win.  It was also was the lowest scoring playoff game in
NBA history.  The 143 combined points were two fewer than the postseason
low set by Syracuse and Fort Wayne in 1995.

That's simply incredible.

You can argue that today's NBA players are more atheletic, bigger, and
stronger.  But you can't convince me that they're better than the
players of 10 years ago.  And very few of them know the meaning of the
word team.

Give me any one of the NBA champions from the 1980's, and they'd win the
1997 playoffs in a romp.  And the ratings would be a heck of a lot
better, too.

_________________________

I agree with his comments.  If the Celtics are not in it, I no longer
watch the NBA.  I believe Jordan is one of the best players ever in the
NBA, but the league is diluted and in the 1980's this same Bulls team
does not have 4 championship rings.  Phil Jackson does not get the
credit that he deserves, except maybe from Michael Jordan.

Peace,

- --
Bentz
bocelts@scsn.net

http://www.scsn.net/users/sclaw