Yeah, I like my hoops. Especially this year… my brother got me a throwback 1986 Boston Celtics World Champions t-shirt for Christmas, so, nuff said, right? If you dig hoops, and especially if you’re feeling the love because of KG’s throwback style of play, you should check this link out. It’s the top plays from the All Star Games… for the last 45 years. Ok, there’s some gaps, and I don’t know how old you are who are reading this, but if you’re close to my age, start around 1976 and watch on up until you lose interest.
A couple of observations:
1. I didn’t know Tiny Archibald was such a bad m*th*rf*ck*r. He’s involved in like 70% of the highlights during his era.
2. I remember Dr. J being great, but towards the end of his career. If you want to see NBA play elevated to a whole new level years before anyone else copped on, watch the late 70’s stuff and be amazed.
3. Unrelated to the above link, I had the fortune to go to a Celtics game a couple of weeks ago, and I have to ask: why are we half way through the first NBA season of Kevin Garnett playing a major market, and no national writers (that I am aware of) have rhapsodized about how KG slaps the ball as hard as he can when he catches it in the post or high post? The true joy of the NBA is contained in that sound. It is the sound of a giant, lithe, quick, powerful man announcing in a menacing way: “I have the ball. What are you going to do about it?” The answer is, there is very little anyone can do about it. And that, my friends, is part of the reason why the Celtics have the best record in the NBA.
4. The first Jordan highlights are in 1988 in case you are wondering. He’s the dominant figure in the clips during his era, and rightfully so. Amazing to see the man in his prime again.
5. In the 1990 highlights, number 1 is a Charles Barkley block on Hakim Olajuwon, in which the commentators are amazed because Barkley is described as only being 6′ 4″ 1/2 (versus the 7 foot tall Olajuwon). In 1991, Barkley has another nice block (Highlight #4) and the commentators note that he’s “just about 6′ 6″.” Ummmm…..
6. I dunno, for me in 1994 it starts to lose a little something. Notice how many defensive plays are suddenly in the top 10? What happened to the fast break mentality that defined the last 20 years? And look what happens in the following year: Shaq shoots a 3-pointer, which is an air ball, and gets booed by the crowd. The next highlight is Olajuwon shooting a three and making it (to cheers). This can’t be good for the game. 1995 was also the game in which Shaq gets a rebound and drives the length of the floor for a slam. I’ve never had this thought before watching the linked video, but was Shaquille O’Neil the the end of the good NBA All Star games?
7. and by 1997 I’m glassy eyed and mostly disinterested. Tomorrow I might feel differently, but it’s interesting historical footage nonetheless if you are interested in the game.
