Basketball Part 1&2

Part 1

If the talking heads proclaim that Michael Jordan's prolific scoring was the result of stricter rules against defensive schemes in his era i.e. illegal defenses, isolations with no help available, no traps, no zones, then how would the same talking heads explain the current "ABA like" scoring propensity in todays NBA? An NBA where more defensive schemes are allowed? More scoring with more options to defend against scoring? What? Michael Jordan could score more points due to his isolating his defenders i.e. more 1 on 1 with no help, less double teaming. Then, how are teams scoring more in today's game where scorers are faced with a variety of defenses?

Wrap your basketball brain around this: Imagine the points Michael Jordan would tally in today's NBA where they regularly put up run and gun numbers like the ABA days. How you gonna stop a man already on a mission, in a league that shows no desire for defensive tenacity (Kobe would put up more points as well, R.I.P.) The game has evolved back to scoring, outscoring opponents rather than stopping the opponent from scoring. The stat sheet has become a free for all. Also, I failed to mention, MJ put up numbers while he was getting his head knocked off in the paint.

Part 2

This is college basketball tournament time. My goosebumps are raised. The influx and flow of games. data, stats, energy, orange rims being stuffed with orange basketballs has me riding Poseidon's wave of sensory overload. My new, essential, must watch conference on my radar screen is the Mountain West Conference. The aesthetic of Big Sky country fused with basketball at a late nite clip for this East Coast fanatic, gives me levels of comfort only found in hugging my wife, having sweet dreams, drinking a cold beer after a workout, eating perfectly seasoned chicken wings, loading a plate of pork and sauerkraut and mashed potatoes with gravy mixed with peas and carrots. Comfort in fireside chats late at nite while balls are going through nets. Now THAT is must see TV.

New Mexico Lobos, San Diego State Aztecs, Boise State Broncos, Utah State Aggies, Nevada Wolf Pack, UNLV Runnin Rebs, Wyoming Cowboys, Colorado State Rams, San Jose State Spartans, Fresno State Bulldogs, Air Force Falcons.