Jan
22, 2001
NBA Basketball
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The
NBA needs new Rivalries
By
INSIDEHOOPS.COM
In
Reggie Miller's opinion, the New York-Indiana rivalry is dead. After the
Pacers beat the Knicks on Sunday, Miller told the media the following:
"When they (N.Y.) got rid of Patrick (Ewing), I considered it (the rivalry)
over because he was the cornerstone of this franchise and he was somewhat
synonymous with the rivalry. So personally, to me, there is no rivalry
because of that... It's still a big game because they are playing well,
but there's no such thing as Pacers-Knicks anymore like there used to be."
Damn.
That's too bad. The NBA could use some fresh rivalries. Right now we have
Vince Carter against Tracy McGrady (or Ray Allen, or Kobe), and not too
much else. Kobe has sort of declared a rivalry on the entire league (including
his own team, at times), but that doesn't really count. And Chris Dudley
gets really pumped up when he plays Shaq and the Lakers, but, shockingly
enough, Shaq and the Lakers don't seem to particularly care. I'm sure Dudley
understands. What will Dudley do when he gets mad, explode for 4 points,
6 rebounds, and 5 fouls in 33 minutes of action? Oh no.
With
Ewing gone from New York, Jamal Mashburn and PJ Brown gone from Miami,
and Alonzo Mourning out for the year, it's tough to pretend that Heat-Knicks
games mean what they used to. Tim Hardaway will always "hate" the Knicks
(that's the word he's used to describe his feelings), but his "skeelz"
aren't what they used to be, and it's hard to picture Charlie Ward or Allan
Houston hating him - or anyone - in return.
Still,
with Tim, Dan Majerle (who will soon need a cane), Anthony Mason (who does
care about beating New York), and coach Pat Riley, Miami does consider
New York a special opponent. And new guys like Brian Grant who are made
aware of the fact that the knicks screwed up the Heat's playoff plans several
years in a row can at least pretend to be mad when the two teams play.
But, it's not the same.
Much
of the league considers Chicago a team to attack, in an effort to make
up for all the beatings the Bulls placed on the league throughout the 90's,
but since Chicago is now as tough as a small child, that's not something
to focus on. Laugh at the Bulls for a minute, and then move on.
Best
in the East? Philly. They have no rivals. They're just around.
The
Clippers and Lakers have a special situation since they share not only
a city but a home arena, but that's sort of a rivalry by default and therefore
it doesn't really count. Plus, while the Clippers do play the Lakers tough
(and destroyed them in their last meeting), it's tough to believe that
the Lakers put too much time into thinking about this matchup.
In
the West we've got definite potential, but right now no combination of
the Blazers, Lakers, Spurs, Kings or Jazz is anything more than a really
tough matchup. Perhaps after the 2001 playoffs we'll see some developments
in the true rivalry department.
Part
of what may lesson the emotions various players and teams have about each
other is the fact that NBA referees don't allow much funny-business. Look
at someone in a nasty way and certain refs will respond with a technical
foul. Taunt someone? Technical foul. Yell at someone? Tech. Bump a few
times in the paint? Years ago that was standard, but these days the refs
will call touch-fouls even when neither player involved has the ball.
Expansion
weakened the league and that's a factor. Teams aren't loaded with stars
like they used to be.
Players
are also younger these days. Darius Miles and Kenyon Martin have a lot
of growing to do as players before they should even think of worrying about
who they're playing against.
Solution
to this? Aside from letting the players bang a bit more and perhaps allowing
taunting and a bit more freedom of expression (don't hold your breath),
nothing can be done other than to wait. We must wait for Kobe, Iverson,
Carter, McGrady, Garnett and other young superstars to keep improving,
wait for a few more teams to stock up on good, aggressive players, and
hope things develop naturally. Until then, keep watching, but be sure to
keep track of those old Celtics and Lakers videotapes in the back of your
closet.
