Is It Time For A "Modern Era NBA" Designation?

[HammerDown]

...or an asterisk placed next to all records prior to what most consider to the modern era of basketball which began with Magic and Bird?

I think so and for at least a few reasons.

1.) Pre-1980 the NBA wasn't even the premier basketball league. The NBA constantly competed with the ABA and many of the best players didn't even play for the NBA. The NBA only became completely legitimate with Magic and Bird.

2.) The NBA was at one time an 8-team league and basically an organized crime syndicate ruled over by Red Auerbach. He bullied and cajoled teams like the Waterloo Hawks, Sheboygan Red Skins, Syracuse Nationals, St. Louis Hawks, Fort Wayne Pistons, Rochester Royals, Indianapolis Olympians and Anderson Packers. There is zero argument for making that era relevant to today's game.

3.) The state of the league at that time was conducive to nonsensical records like Wilt's 100 point game and other anomalous stats.

I hereby move that we strike this era from the record books and vacate all those banners the Boston Celtics won against the Tri-City Blackhawks, et al.

 

[wildturkey]

I guess you can do it officially, sure. I've always assumed that's what everyone did anyway, assuming Post 1979 (when the NBA added the 3 point line) was "modern". At least that tends to be the vibe you get reading columnists and listening to people talk

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

I think we're actually in the Post-Modern Era of basketball.

 

[HammerDown]

I think we're actually in the Post-Modern Era of basketball.

Meh. I dismiss this as more of your existentialist mental meandering, Hu.

 

[HammerDown]

I would also like to get more input from Boston homers on this matter of critical importance.

@Rock Strongo ? What say ye?

 

[trojanfan12]

Yeah, it's probably time to differentiate era's. Of all of the major professional sports, basketball is probably the one that has changed the most over the years. Outside of the court being the same size and the baskets the same height, it's a completely different game than what was played prior to about 1970.

 

[ManuForever]

Yeah, it's probably time to differentiate era's. Of all of the major professional sports, basketball is probably the one that has changed the most over the years. Outside of the court being the same size and the baskets the same height, it's a completely different game than what was played prior to about 1970.

And the fact that they didn't even have 3-point line until like what...1980?

 

[tducey]

Yeah after the ABA merger and the advent of the 3 point line there was a new era in the NBA.

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

Meh. I dismiss this as more of your existentialist mental meandering, Hu.

But think about it...are we REALLY watching "basketball?"

Let that sink in...

 

[HurricaneDij39]

*Laker(s) fans clamoring for bragging rights on who has the most titles*

The above defunct teams you've mentioned were in existence during the late 40's and early 50's - You know, when some team in Minneapolis was exploiting their period their dominance over the league. The Celtics didn't win their first title until 1957.

Next argument please.

 

[Lance Armstrong]

Finally, Hammerdown actually makes sense. Yes, just like in the NFL we don't count anything pre super bowl era we should do that for the NBA. Nothing pre merger.

 

[WiggyRuss]

GREAT GREAT thread

I totally agree- that there should be a "modern era" distinction- and the exact right place is 1980 right after the 3pt line and Magic and Bird coming into the league

Have very little interest and there is very very little relevance to the NBA before that time period to what it is today.

 

[Captain Confusion]

GREAT GREAT thread

I totally agree- that there should be a "modern era" distinction- and the exact right place is 1980 right after the 3pt line and Magic and Bird coming into the league

Have very little interest and there is very very little relevance to the NBA before that time period to what it is today.

You don't have interest in the booty-hugging shorts wearing, set shots taking, converse sneaker wearing heroes of the past....


You disappoint us....!!!

 

[WiggyRuss]

You don't have interest in the booty-hugging shorts wearing, set shots taking, converse sneaker wearing heroes of the past....


You disappoint us....!!!

none what so ever

its like comparing bananas to wrenches.

 

[wildturkey]

GREAT GREAT thread

I totally agree- that there should be a "modern era" distinction- and the exact right place is 1980 right after the 3pt line and Magic and Bird coming into the league

Have very little interest and there is very very little relevance to the NBA before that time period to what it is today.

Is it really THAT "great"? I mean its good but where's all the tits and ass that all great threads have?

 

[HammerDown]

It'd be absolutely amazing to see all those Celtics banners from the early Messozoic Period come down.

What a joke.

 

[WickedGoodPostah]

As a "boston homer" I just want to say that I agree 100% with the op on this one. The game was not even remotely the same back then. Wilts 100 point game is a joke.