I Don't Care Who's Better - Bornindamecca's Blog

Bornindamecca's Blog

I Don't Care Who's Better

Posted on February 5, 2009 at 12:36 PM.

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After the SuperBowl, the NBA has given us one of the best regular season weeks ever, despite injuries to several key players. Top amongst the many great games(and there have been some non-Kobron games), were Kobron going off at the Garden for consecutive historic performances. I can't remember the last time that's ever happened. As a basketball fan, I just sit back and love it. As a Knicks fan, I'm glad they stayed competitive against two teams who eclipse them in talent.

I remember the post Jordan era, when Grant Hill and Penny Hardaway were our substitute perimeter stars. It didn't cut it. Until the 96/97 draftees matured into All Stars, the league was flat out worse. It was slow and ugly aside from one or two teams. Since 96, great talent has come into the league every couple of years at least. Now, we are in what people are calling a New Golden Era of basketball, and between last year's playoffs, the Olympics and this past week, I am a happy believer.

Yet, instead of happy "witnesses", I see a bunch of people getting caught up in pointless, nonsensical "who is better" arguments. Not the kind of discussions that are about basketball strategy, but personal favoritism and grudges backed up by the twisting of numbers.

I grew up towards the end of an era where "who's better" was solved on the court. We're in an era like that again. No longer are guys like Kobe and Lebron on first round exit type squads. Many of the best players are on legit contenders. These coming playoffs, we may see some of the greatest head to head battles in history, with Hall of Famers in the Pro Elite 8 dueling it out. I can't wait.

I enjoy both Kobe and Lebron. I like to watch Kobe more, for several reasons, but I enjoy Lebron's talent very much. I've been watching this guy since HS, and have followed him since the NFL was hoping he'd change his mind and become a wide receiver before he broke his finger and swore off football forever.

Kobe haters: You don't win anything if Lebron is better than Kobe. No matter what, he'll be one of the media's favorite targets for a very long time, and he'll retire as one of the greatest to ever play the game.

Kobe fans: You don't win anything if Lebron pops his knee out, or doesn't win as many rings as Kobe, or falls short in some way. Lebron is coming, and nothing can stop him. But he's not coming alone. He's bringing plenty of company in Kevin Durant, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul and a host of other young, great players that will do everything in their power to keep Lebron from dominating the way Jordan did, and the way Kobe and Shaq did.

So all sarcasms, jokes, message board fights flames and trolls aside, I don't care. For real. I think it's a stupid discussion in the face of the coming playoffs, where the best individuals are on the best teams and will do it the way it's supposed to be done. When MJ retired, I never thought I'd enjoy basketball that much again. Because of Kobe, Lebron and the rest, now I do.

Almost.

Comments

# 1 rspencer86 @ Feb 5

Great post, Born. If you can't sit back and enjoy what's going on in the NBA right now, you aren't a basketball fan, period. This year's playoffs are going to be ridiculously entertaining.

# 2 Bornindamecca @ Feb 5

Thanks, spence. Even though I don't take those discussions seriously, I think they get to the point of taking away from appreciating the game, especially when some people passionately love/hate particular people as individuals. After such a week in my home town, I have to respectfully bow out these silly debates. The action in the league is just too good right now!