"Who is better, Kobe, Lebron, or Wade? Shaq or Duncan?"
"How do I become a baller like Iverson or Kidd?"
If you take a look at most of the basketball related forums, chats, and blogs upon the web, you will find these types of questions as well as many like them. People wanting to debate the best, or wanting to be a star like these. What about asking ones self, "What do I need to do to be the best I can be?" Is it really that great of a thing to be like those above? I'm not so sure...
Without intending to take anything away from the talents and abilities of the aforementioned athletes, I have a question. "What have any of them done to make the game of basketball any better? What have they pioneered?" And more importantly, "What has our sport become?"
Having a love for basketball, and growing up as a kid in the age of, and admiring such greats as Bird, Magic, and Michael, one would think I would have no issue with the state of modern day basketball as it stands. But as a basketball purest I have to admit that I find within myself a bitterness when I look at the arrogance and selfishness of today's players. When I see the total and complete lack of role models and leadership, and the overall apathy for what was once, in my mind anyway, the greatest of all team sports, it saddens me.
At one time basketball was a sport where fundamentals, smarts, and dedication, in most cases dictated champions. Real champions, and real leaders! There was a time when the foundational rules which were built upon Dr. Naismith's game were respected. Many times in today's game, those rules no longer apply. A walk or travel is seldom called or often completely ignored. What would have been constituted as a carry is now considered a spectacular move. And as a result, our beloved game of basketball has been hijacked by thugs whose only motivation is money, stardom, and a love of self. Bill Laimbeer would be considered a prince compared to many of those we admire today.
This mentality has not only affected the professional ranks, but has also began to take root in our colleges, and has already polluted many involved in high school athletics.
Anyone who has ever followed the game of basketball knows well, and can readily admit that the physical abilities of today's athletes trumps those of players in the past. But the game of the past had something that our modern version has lost somewhere along the way, and that may never be regained.
There was a time when players who walked out onto the hardwood to compete did so as warriors, as a "band of brothers" of sorts. Although the team might have had what would be considered a superstar, each player upon the team, including that superstar, knew that they had a role to play, a job to do, and an accountability to their team and their fans.
There were also leaders then. These were men who were considered to be the superstars of their day. But the difference between those of the past and those of today was the way in which they saw the game. Think of Jerry West. Or Bill Russell. Or as I said before, Magic, Bird, or M.J.. Yes, they were superstars. Yes, they took many shots. Yes, they carried with them self-confidence, and pride in what they did. But unlike today's superstars they were not just mega athletes...they were leaders. And unlike today's superstars, they did not believe themselves to be greater than the game or the team in which they were a part of. But instead these men made all of the players on the team around them better. Ask the ones who played with them. There are several others we could mention here, but these are merely the ones who come to mind at the moment.
None of these past greats, before the game became a stain, won their championships based solely on their talent alone. Nor did Kobe this past season. They won because not only were they great, but they brought out the greatness in all the players around them. Even the ones they played against! Their will to win was not dictated by whether or not they
liked their coach, or whether there was a nice, fat bonus waiting at the end. It was decided because they loved the game, and because they saw themselves as a part of something bigger. At one time there was a pride in being part of the history of the "greatest game ever played."
Our sport has lost its way. It has lost the integrity, honour, heart, and spirit which made it great. And unless that which was lost is found again, the true game of basketball is done. Just as Lazarus was called forth from the tomb after dying, unless we have a revival of the essence of what basketball really is, it will not just be the laughing stock that it is today...It will be dead.
Maybe, in a way, that wouldn't be such a bad thing. At least without the money, the crying, and the spoiled mega athletes we could have players and coaches who did it for the love of the game again. We might even have integrity and real glory back in our sport. Maybe we could get back to having a game that was worth watching and playing again.
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