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