Note to self: never become the grumpy old sports fan who raves about how the game was so much better however-many-years ago. Never become the guy who argues how today's players would have no chance of performing at such a high level if they had to take on the likes of Hall of Famer A or Hall of Famer B . Because we're never returning to those days. Those matchups aren't happening. The truth is we don't know for certain which players' games would transcend eras and which players' games would have a harder time adjusting. It's speculation. And that's the only thing it is, because even though it's fun to debate and try to determine a player's legacy within their sport, the grumpy fan is taking away from the moment. The nostalgia of yesteryear is great, but sports are still good today and will continue to be good tomorrow. It doesn't matter which sport we're talking about. None of them are staying the same, and usually, that's for the better.
Change is inevitable, so embrace it. The amount of talking heads reminiscing about the NBA in the late 80's is ridiculous. We get it: they didn't call as many fouls back in the day, and players would be more subject to getting hit than they are now. But stop pretending that's the only thing that's changed. The defenses have gotten better, the athletes have gotten quicker and stronger, the shooters have more range than ever, and players are taking advantage of the rules that are currently in place, just like the players in the 80's did. Are there many back to the basket players who can dominate in the post anymore? No, but were there stretch forwards like Chris Bosh and Kevin Love taking three pointers back then? Again, the answer is no. Because the games are evolving, not going backwards. The future of each sport is making adjustments to what was done in the past and improve the product. Basketball already is, and will become more fast-paced, with smaller lineups that can stretch the floor, and the complete abandonment of the mid-range shot. And is that a bad thing? Not only is it the more efficient, smarter way to play, it's also the more entertaining product for the fans.
The rules are changing as well. Baseball has finally installed an instant replay system and while the initial reaction has been mixed, the process will improve and result in fewer blown calls that negatively impact the game. Few things go completely according to plan right from the get go. The NFL has introduced a series of new rules to try and prevent concussions (and lawsuits) and improve player safety, but so far, they have unfairly been limited to helping offensive players and at the same time given a competitive disadvantage for defensive players. But enough brushback should swing the pendulum back to the center, and eventually we should see new rules to protect players on the other side of the ball as well.
While changes in style of play are inevitable and rules like replay are easily agreed upon, there are certain ideas in sports that still face heavy resistance from traditionalists. But some of these ideas aren't as radical as they seem. Ideas such as eliminating conference positioning from the playoff equation in the NBA are facing illogical backlash. Why the resistance? It's a move with little downside that levels the playing field. There's simply no reason for Western Conference teams with a winning record like the Phoenix Suns to be missing the playoffs when they would own the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference, and it's about time something is done about it.
A final plea to the commissioners of professional sports: tradition is important. Continuity is as well. But these two things shouldn't prevent changes from being made when better, smarter, exciting ideas are brought to the table. No, I'm not advocating progress for the sake of progress, but there is no reason to be complacent. If interesting ideas are being suggested, don't just throw them away. And if you aren't sure whether they'll work or not, test them out in your development leagues. Change is inevitable, so embrace it.
Change is inevitable, so embrace it. The amount of talking heads reminiscing about the NBA in the late 80's is ridiculous. We get it: they didn't call as many fouls back in the day, and players would be more subject to getting hit than they are now. But stop pretending that's the only thing that's changed. The defenses have gotten better, the athletes have gotten quicker and stronger, the shooters have more range than ever, and players are taking advantage of the rules that are currently in place, just like the players in the 80's did. Are there many back to the basket players who can dominate in the post anymore? No, but were there stretch forwards like Chris Bosh and Kevin Love taking three pointers back then? Again, the answer is no. Because the games are evolving, not going backwards. The future of each sport is making adjustments to what was done in the past and improve the product. Basketball already is, and will become more fast-paced, with smaller lineups that can stretch the floor, and the complete abandonment of the mid-range shot. And is that a bad thing? Not only is it the more efficient, smarter way to play, it's also the more entertaining product for the fans.
The rules are changing as well. Baseball has finally installed an instant replay system and while the initial reaction has been mixed, the process will improve and result in fewer blown calls that negatively impact the game. Few things go completely according to plan right from the get go. The NFL has introduced a series of new rules to try and prevent concussions (and lawsuits) and improve player safety, but so far, they have unfairly been limited to helping offensive players and at the same time given a competitive disadvantage for defensive players. But enough brushback should swing the pendulum back to the center, and eventually we should see new rules to protect players on the other side of the ball as well.
While changes in style of play are inevitable and rules like replay are easily agreed upon, there are certain ideas in sports that still face heavy resistance from traditionalists. But some of these ideas aren't as radical as they seem. Ideas such as eliminating conference positioning from the playoff equation in the NBA are facing illogical backlash. Why the resistance? It's a move with little downside that levels the playing field. There's simply no reason for Western Conference teams with a winning record like the Phoenix Suns to be missing the playoffs when they would own the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference, and it's about time something is done about it.
A final plea to the commissioners of professional sports: tradition is important. Continuity is as well. But these two things shouldn't prevent changes from being made when better, smarter, exciting ideas are brought to the table. No, I'm not advocating progress for the sake of progress, but there is no reason to be complacent. If interesting ideas are being suggested, don't just throw them away. And if you aren't sure whether they'll work or not, test them out in your development leagues. Change is inevitable, so embrace it.
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