AK on our freshmen squad

[husky429]

The

i know you consider yourself to be a definitive expert. Good for you. I find it repetive and boring. And maybe because of intricate defensive schemes. Just because you like it doesn’t make it interesting for everyone.

It doesn't take an "expert" to understand what I'm saying, nor would I consider myself in expert in anything. You can find it boring. I don't particularly like watching the NBA either compared to college ball. I didn't say I "like" the NBA anywhere. I siad if you think there's "no defense" or "all they do is shoot 3s," then you would be wrong. That is what I was addressing. Stupid comments from posters (maybe you, I can't remember) about the NBA not having defense or skill any more.

 

[cohenzone]

It doesn't take an "expert" to understand what I'm saying, nor would I consider myself in expert in anything. You can find it boring. I don't particularly like watching the NBA either compared to college ball. If you think there's "no defense" or "all they do is shoot 3s," then you would be wrong. That is what I was addressing.

What I said is that the O is largely repetitive and it is. Didn’t say there is no D nor did I say the skill level isn’t high. Half the people here don’t read every word and/or assume people are implying things they didn’t. I was merely agreeing with Chief with whom disagree more often than not and FWIW, I often like yours. Just a couple of guys here are pretty pompous (jerky) when they think their own take is the only take.

 

[cordeodato]

The players generally are definitely more athletic. More skilled? Not so sure about that, there are a lot more players so more skilled people yes. An overwhelming % of the plays are a guard driving rather easily deep into the lane and passing the ball to a wing for a 3 attempt, maybe making a lay up, getting blocked, or being fouled. The teams with a better scoring big have a little more variety. The mid range is like a dinosaur. If you like the modern game fine. I don’t and it has nothing to do with some of the really talented individuals. Some people won’t watch baseball because they find it boring. I get it. But many more unexpected things happen in baseball than they do in the NBA.

Way too many threes. Like way way. NBA needs to lift the rim and make the court bigger and 3 point farther. NBA athletes now are other worldly. These guys weren't on the court when Naismith invented the game.

Did you used to watch the NBA? Why do you think the NBA is less interesting now? In my opinion today's players are much more athletic and skilled than they used to be so curious what you don't like.

Way too many threes. Like way way. NBA needs to lift the rim and make the court bigger and 3 point farther. NBA athletes now are other worldly. These guys weren't on the court when Naismith invented the game. Admitedly to me the golden age was when Red Holzman coached. Actual defense and ball movement. The pursuit of the three has become like the pursuit of home run in baseball. Boring but that is what guys get paid for because of the way the quants have boiled down the game. So that is what guys chase.

 

[HooperScooper]

No defense and no such thing as a travel for starters

Lack of travel calls - I'm with you on that. Ridiculous what they let go.

No defense - I don't agree on that.

 

[HailUConn]

The evolution of NBA games has much more to do with rule changes than players athleticism or teams offense and defense schemes. The league and referees are dictating the trend and playing styles. In terms of sheer athleticism, I don’t think anyone can surpass Jordan’s era. Just watch what Jordan did against those Detroit and Knicks defense. The joker would not be as dominant as if he was playing back in 80’s or 90’s.


To me, this makes NBA games less appealing to me as I like to watch hard defense and physical games.

 

[mauconnfan]

I don’t doubt they’re more athletic overall but more skilled, no would disagree. I think it’s just what you prefer to see. 70-90s much more viewable to me. Lucky if the likes of Michael got an extra step and the game was called a bit better. Now you will see 4 step finishes every night without a call, 2 step back 3 pointers allowed for a jump back 3 (Harden lol) and so much more it’s very hard to watch for me. Just what you liked better I guess. For me college hoops a ton more enjoyable,

 

[87Xfer]

so, anyone want to talk about our freshmen or AK. The NBA crap is scintillating, but....wait, no it isn't

 

[Chief00]

From my perspective, that's a much more enjoyable game to watch, but I don't see that happening.

Hopefully, the declining TV ratings will drive things.

 

[Chief00]

Did you used to watch the NBA? Why do you think the NBA is less interesting now? In my opinion today's players are much more athletic and skilled than they used to be so curious what you don't like.

When TV ratings drop by 2/3rds, as a business and as a sport, you got a problem.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

When TV ratings drop by 2/3rds, as a business and as a sport, you got a problem.

NBA playoffs set new five-year ratings high with 5.47m average viewers per game tuning in - SportsPro

The Denver Nuggets' 2023 NBA Finals triumph over the Miami Heat averaged 11.64 million TV viewers on the ABC network.

www.sportspromedia.com

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

When TV ratings drop by 2/3rds, as a business and as a sport, you got a problem.

Have they really dropped by 2/3's?

 

[MDHuskFan]

Can’t wait till the AI world gets fully developed and we can watch the new nba play the old nba….

 

[AtlantaHusky]

Came here for Cooper Flag. Left for the NBA debate no one cares about

 

[Samoo]

Responding to someone’s post. Do you think we need to know about your car being stolen? Jerk.

Did you confuse this with your nextdoor account?

 

[krinklecut]

What passes as the NBA game today, will soon have to be blown up. Finals TV ratings have dropped nearly 2/3rds from the Michael Jordan days. 50% of the shots being 3’s with the other guys just standing around the 3 line, just doesn’t work. Nor does Adam Silver’s Commissionership. A poor imitation of the great David Stern. Some guys like Hathaway were always meant to be number #2 administrators not strategic leaders.

The day will come again when teams with guys like Adama will be the model again. It will be about, defense, rebounding and fast break. As with Bird, the 3 will be a timely weapon at the right moments. Post play will come back too. I see Alex Karaban being successful in that model too.

That will never come back. The emphasis now on the 3 is because everyone figured out that’s what won games. Teams aren’t gonna stop doing what wins.

 

[uconnbill]

My issue with the NBA is that the regular season is like a sham as we saw this year. This is not the NBA of Bird, Magic, Jordan, Chuck, and others.

I would like to see the 3-point line moved back so it is not as easy as it is for a number of shooters in the league.

 

[Huskyforlife]

I’m not gonna sit here and pretend I watch 75 regular season NBA basketball games per season, but the product is 500x better than any regular season game I went back and watched from the 80s/90s. It’s pure nostalgia if you think the sport hasn’t improved in modern times.

But anyone who thinks there’s no defense in the modern NBA playoffs either isn’t watching, or is incapable of processing what they are watching. Remember the illegal defense rules? Comical.

 

[pj]

The relaxation of rules for traveling and palming has really favored the rise of athleticism and also enhanced the value of spreading the court with the three.

I think the game does get boring when everyone plays the same way and they rely on the same plays and types of players over and over.

I enjoyed the NBA in the Magic-Bird through Jordan eras. The very physical Pistons teams started to lose me, and I was lost for good when they introduced the illegal defense rule in 2001, eliminating zone-like defenses. I haven't watched enough since to judge today's game, but if Chief is right that viewership has dropped 2/3, I'm not inclined to give it a try. Ordinary people are good judges.

What's interesting to me is variety of styles of play and the matchup of distinct strategies. If everyone is following the same strategy, then you can almost award the championship to the team with the best players for that strategy. Things get predictable and therefore boring.

The 2023 Huskies played a really beautiful brand of basketball, and Jokic's passing looks beautiful in highlights, so I don't think one can say that there is a clear trend downwards in the interestingness of basketball. But I agree with Chief, there is something wrong with an NBA that has no room for Adama Sanogo but room for hundreds of 3-and-D specialists.

 

[pj]

PS - What would it take for college ball to bore me - if every team played the way San Diego State or Arkansas played -- recruit big strong athletes, play very physical, and if you start losing, get more physical. It works, those teams went far, but fortunately that wasn't the only approach on display. When UConn had its losing streak in the Big East, it was because the refs let opponents get very physical, but didn't give UConn the same opportunity. Having refs decide the outcome is as boring as having 3 point shots decide the outcome. To be interesting, it shouldn't be just a game of chance or pure athleticism, but of teamwork and strategy.

 

[cohenzone]

Did you confuse this with your nextdoor account?

Do you even know what you’re talking about? The place is full of16 year olds.

 

[businesslawyer]

We also have that video of the player gushing over Castle's passing to JJ Reddick. Magic Castle? We got ourselves a dream team.

Seriously though, I think preseason expectations right now are as high as we have seen for any team in UConn history, and justifiably so. Ticket demand should be through the roof.

UConn/St John's at the Garden next year will be a Big East event straight out of 1985. Danny and Pitino will need to wear sweaters.

No, expectations should not be as high for this team as any team in history. When we won in ‘99, we returned basically the entire squad from a team that had won the Big East and lost to a competitive UNC team in North Carolina. This team lost its three most important players plus some key role players.

That isn’t saying we won’t be just as good this year, but being just as good will require a huge step up from DC and Castle playing at an all conference level as a true frosh. There are other teams during the period during which we were competitive almost every year that one had far more certainty about than this year’s team as well.

 

[metsfan2323]

This team lost its three most important players plus some key role players.

and we are replacing those three players with two projected lottery picks and a stud transfer in Spencer. We'll find out about the bench, but this thread started with Karaban suggesting the newcomers look terrific. BTW we have every reason to expect Karaban,Clingan and Newton will improve. Our entire starting lineup has all Big East potential.

Yes we need players on our bench to step up but that could be said about every team, no team ever has a proven bench going into a season, if they were proven they would be starters.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

People are really pining for the return of the 80’s/90’s bashball and underdeveloped creativity in basketball. Alright.

 

[Scrutineer]

Reading comprehension may be the problem here, or maybe it's the way some thoughts are being expressed.

 

[superjohn]

The relaxation of rules for traveling and palming has really favored the rise of athleticism and also enhanced the value of spreading the court with the three.

I think the game does get boring when everyone plays the same way and they rely on the same plays and types of players over and over.

I would tell you to give the NBA a try again or at least watch the Nuggets. It's not hyperbole to say Jokic may be the best passer ever, I think his instincts and skill level will blow you away.

I agree completely with what you say here. It's said all the time now that the players are much more athletic, bigger stronger now. That's a myth, they play a different way now because of the way they're reffed, analytics and guys like Dirk and Steph changing the game but this idea they're all jumping higher, faster, taller, stronger than they were 25 years ago is bunk.