The High Court

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Criminal Intent

By:  The Powdered Wig

Posted: Mon., June 13, 2005

 

 

Spurs – Pistons embody all that is right with pro sports.

 

 

While the television ratings will likely suffer, and countless hundreds of pundits will express their frustration with “boring basketball”, the Spurs and Pistons provide this basketball purist with a refreshing NBA Finals. 

 

That’s right – refreshing.  When I go to pass judgment on professional athletes, I start with effort.  And these two teams give it – on both ends of the court.  I admire the grace of a Michael Jordan and the power of a Shaquille O’Neal and all of the other attributes that can be found on the offensive end of the court as much as anyone else.  And don’t get me wrong, I like to see deft passing and precision shooting, but I am more impressed with the consistent effort that I see from the Spurs and Pistons.

 

I have grown disenchanted with many of today’s so-called stars in the NBA as they struggle to learn what it takes to make their teammates better how to do the little things that win games.  The league’s marketing gurus tell me that Tracy McGrady, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Vince Carter are THE stars to watch.  Don’t take me for some stuffed shirt that isn’t down with the stars of today, but also understand that I enjoy aspects of the game beyond dunks.  I also demand that a player be able to take over a game on either end of the court before I call them a true superstar.  Above all else, I ask that a player bust his backside on defense because that is the least he can do for a couple million a year.

 

What player isn’t passionate about offense and scoring points (Bruce Bowen excluded)?  It takes special players to give the same effort on defense as on offense.  And these teams have special players.  If you need proof that something special is going on with the Spurs, consider that Glenn (Big Dog) Robinson (emphasis usually on the Dog) swatted 3 Detroit shots in limited playing time in Game 1.  Getting Big Dog to get after it on D is worthy of celebration.  So why is everyone so down in the mouth?  The reason is that the NBA has created a culture that is the polar opposite of unselfish, defensive-minded, team-oriented basketball.

 

And it is because of this decision to market and focus on stars and not on teams or tradition that the NBA cringes when teams like Detroit and San Antonio arrive together on center stage.  If you don’t think the suits in the league office would have preferred a Miami-Phoenix Finals, you obviously haven’t been paying attention for the last 5 years.

 

Superstars have long been a staple of pro sports and the NBA is no different.  With the players close to the crowd and not wearing hats or helmets, it is easier to market basketball players than any other figures in sports.  But marketing and winning championships are not the same thing.  And that is what I love about this year’s finalists.  They are consumed with winning a title, not with looking good. 

 

Why can’t the league market this?  Who knows?  I think they are afraid to try.  The marketing successes during the Michael Jordan era have caused the NBA to search in vain for the “next MJ”.  Obviously, there is no such thing.  But it has created a monster that has no easy answer.  This monster brings with it a ton of problems, not the least of which is the debate over a minimum age for entry to the league.  These 18-20 year old kids want a piece of the marketing pie that has been cooked up by the league’s culturists.  They aren’t lining up to play a role on a championship team; they are looking to line their pockets.  Players enter the league with a desire for personal glory and end up leaving the league chasing a ring. 

 

The NBA can thank itself for the lack of buzz related to teams like San Antonio and Detroit.  These guys are hard to market in the current environment, because they don’t bring attention to themselves.  The most flamboyant player in the series, Rasheed Wallace, has silenced many of his critics by developing into one of the best defensive big men in the NBA, while also learning to become a productive (not destructive) member of a winning team.  Tim Duncan is a dull personality, and no one else puts up huge numbers or is flashy enough to catch the fancy of the marketing chiefs. 

 

So here we are watching the two best defensive teams battle for the title.  And most people are bored to tears.  But I, for one, am proud to watch teams play with effort, desire and passion on both ends of the court.  This member of the High Court finds evidence of true professionalism with these two teams and there is nothing criminal about that.    

Bruce Bowen was once looked at as a career 12th man.  He is now a first team All-Defense member.  His perimeter defense on Rip Hamilton has helped the Spurs to a 2-0 series lead. (AP via yahoo)

No offensive excitement in this series?  Somebody forgot to tell Manu Ginobili.  Despite drawing a crowd on the offensive end, the Argentine slasher has averaged 26.5 points per game in the Finals.

(AP via yahoo)