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This is gold. Kenyon Martin writing about how the NBA went soft: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/n...ng-defense

Quote:I played against guys who were physical and who really wanted the smoke. Derrick Coleman didn’t take **** from nobody. I faced guys like Zach Randolph, David West, Antonio Davis, Dale Davis and Kurt Thomas. They didn’t back down and I had a lot of respect for those guys.

You can’t turn a porch dog into a guard dog, and there are a lot of poodles in the NBA right now.

There were some guys like that back when I played, too. Kevin Garnett was a porch puppy -- a miniature chihuahua in a Dobermann’s body. I told him to his face, “You’re a porch puppy. All you do is bark.” He never wanted smoke from me. I told him straight up, “You better take your ass back to your huddle before I get mad.” Dahntay Jones heard it; you can ask him."

Agreed.

Kenyon would've adjusted.

Just look at how Cronin & Huggins have adjusted. Cronin especially. I forget what year it was that the refs started "emphasizing" fouls more. It was pure chaos for most teams the first month, but after that most teams just stopped playing defense. But Cronin's teams had the edge because he always taught them to play defense without fouling. By the next year, Cronin figured it out so perfectly that his teams were near the top of the NCAA in fewest fouls committed.

If Kenyon came up in today's NBA, he would've been taught differently. He woulda been fine.

(11-27-2020 11:34 AM)Captain Bearcat Wrote:  Kenyon would've adjusted.

Just look at how Cronin & Huggins have adjusted. Cronin especially. I forget what year it was that the refs started "emphasizing" fouls more. It was pure chaos for most teams the first month, but after that most teams just stopped playing defense. But Cronin's teams had the edge because he always taught them to play defense without fouling. By the next year, Cronin figured it out so perfectly that his teams were near the top of the NCAA in fewest fouls committed.

If Kenyon came up in today's NBA, he would've been taught differently. He woulda been fine.

I think this is fair. I'm of two minds on this. I'm glad they have emphasized freedom of movement as to getting rid of grabbing, getting rid bumping cutters with off ball defenders, etc. But I do agree people seek out fouls too much, particularly on the ball going to the rim and you should be able to be a little more physical with your own guy when they try to establish position.

Before the NBA went soft, probably the most intimidating, physical teams of all time. These guys wanted to beat you physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. This is also why no one will ever be better than Michael Jordan IMO. He dominated in the era when bodies could bang and whistles were slow.

(11-27-2020 11:48 AM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  Before the NBA went soft, probably the most intimidating, physical teams of all time. These guys wanted to beat you physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. This is also why no one will ever be better than Michael Jordan IMO. He dominated in the era when bodies could bang and whistles were slow.

No doubt. This is when the NBA was worth watching.

Nobel laureate he is not, but I did lol at several points. "years from now I am not going to remember the three games I missed, but you.."

Pacers and Knicks had a lot of bangers in the paint during the 90's also.

I wish players were not fouled out. After 5 the fouled player would get 3 to make two. Penalty enough to discourage fouls.

Kenyon sounds like he would be a great studio panel member.

(11-27-2020 01:24 PM)doss2 Wrote:  I wish players were not fouled out. After 5 the fouled player would get 3 to make two. Penalty enough to discourage fouls.

Shaquille Oneal would have been shooting FT’s every offensive possession..

(11-27-2020 08:07 PM)Bearcatbdub Wrote:  

(11-27-2020 01:24 PM)doss2 Wrote:  I wish players were not fouled out. After 5 the fouled player would get 3 to make two. Penalty enough to discourage fouls.

Shaquille Oneal would have been shooting FT’s every offensive possession..

Perhaps he might have got better.

I nominate KMart for a pullet surprise...or something like that.