OT - boy how the game has changed

[Mark Padgett]

The local Comcast Sports Net station was showing a rerun of a 1985 NBA playoff game between the Trailblazers and the Mavericks. This was the Blazer team of Clyde Drexler, Darnell Valentine, Mychal Thompson, Sam Bowie, etc. It seemed to me that during the game, big men under the basket got the ball and instead of dunking, layed it up and in at least 20 times. There wasn't any "in your face" behavior and I think there was only one time a player questioned an officials call - and it was in a very nonconfrontational manner. The head coaches, Jack Ramsey and Dick Motta, hardly said anything to the officials the entire game - and it was an overtime! It seemed as if the game was being played by gentlemen. Man - how the game has changed.