Good basketball - 1987

[JRutledge]

I think people have revisionist history or do not know what happen back in the 80s because they were not old enough. The reason there were rules for coming off the bench for fighting is because in the 80s and 90s it was not uncommon to have a big fight and have benches clear. So if someone gave a cheap shot, then the retaliation was acceptable. Heck I live in Chicago where Norm Van Lear is on TV and Radio all the time. Van Lear played for the Bulls in the 70s with Jerry Sloan (Current coach of the Utah Jazz) in the back court and Van Lear advocates putting people in the 3rd row all the time if they continue to score at the basket easily.

I think today there is more emphasis on defense and contesting shots. Now that results in more contact and more physical play where maybe 20 years ago you did not have one. That does not mean that things were not physical or much dirtier than the game is today.

Peace

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I Van Lear played for the Bulls in the 70s with Jerry Sloan

My favorite backcourt of all time. And Sloan is my favorite player of all time. George Mikan is second and Clyde Drexler third.

Of course, the greatest official in the history of the world is Earl Strom.

[Cajun Reff]

earl strom was the alternate official for game 4 of the 1984 nba finals

he was sitting at the table in pretty red satin reff jacket while garretson and kersey tried to figure out what the hell to do after mchale clotheslined rambis and both benches cleared.