the Great Offensive Depression 1999-2004

[STATUTORY]

the most offensively depressed era in NBA history, allowed both handchecking and zone. To be able to put up 30 ppg on 45% shooting in that era is truly a spectacle

[T_L_P]

Absolute best basketball I've ever seen.

What's better than watching teams actually try on both ends?

[SamuraiSWISH]

One of the worst eras of basketball. Game was too muddied up. Too much ISO game with a wave of wannabe Jordans and the surge in HS players, and Euros drafted on potential who weren't intelligent enough, physical enough, or skilled enough to be or make a difference as professional players. Following the lockout the game was pretty ugly for awhile. The worst being that 2004 season.

[riseagainst]

One of the worst eras of basketball. Game was too muddied up. Too much ISO game with a wave of wannabe Jordans and the surge in HS players, and Euros drafted on potential who weren't intelligent enough, physical enough, or skilled enough to be or make a difference as professional players. Following the lockout the game was pretty ugly for awhile. The worst being that 2004 season.

rofl
the mention of "worst era" by a Jordan fanatic.

[SamuraiSWISH]

rofl
the mention of "worst era" by a Jordan fanatic.

I said one of the worst eras ...

And why exactly is that funny coming from a Jordan fan?

Are insinuating the late 80's from '85 - '89 were weak? Same time period that featured prime Magic, Bird, the late 80s Celtics, Showtime Lakers, Bad Boy Pistons?

Or that the early 90's were weak? Featuring the greatest mix of athleticism, skill, perimeter play, and big men. Guys like Hakeem, Ewing, D-Rob, young Shaq, Barkley, Malone, Nique, Run TMC, etc.

As a product the NBA was suffering heavily after Jordan left. From an entertainment perspective. And the on court play was suffering as well. I'm not alone in thinking this.

[sportjames23]

rofl
the mention of "worst era" by a Jordan fanatic.

Um, Jordan played in the greatest era in NBA history, my dude.

[riseagainst]

Um, Jordan played in the greatest era in NBA history, my dude.

no he didn't. League was watered down.

[Dave3]

Tmac averaging 32 ppg (the highest in the depression) and leading the league in scoring twice (including the worst year of 2004 in which he put up 62) while being doubled and even tripled regularly because he was the only offensive threat on the team

Thanks OP for reminding me of Tmac's greatness

[SamuraiSWISH]

no he didn't. League was watered down.

He's a better version of your favorite player. Get over it already. We all moved on from it a long time ago. The 2008 Finals specifically. You should be more concerned with this new guy LeBron totally eclipsing Kobe's reputation, and legacy.

[NBAplayoffs2001]

Absolute best basketball I've ever seen.

What's better than watching teams actually try on both ends?

Agreed. I loved watching games from 1999-2002.

[riseagainst]

He's a better version of your favorite player. Get over it already. We all moved on from it a long time ago. The 2008 Finals specifically. You should be more concerned with this new guy LeBron totally eclipsing Kobe's reputation, and legacy.

i love how you automatically assume im defending Kobe. Really shows how hardcore of an insecure MJ stan you are. This has nothing to do with any particular player. Just going by facts. 90s being the "BEST" era of basketball is bs. Yes in terms of money making, but never in terms of actual basketball being played.

But of course you wouldn't ever acknowledge that because you are clouded by your love for MJ.

[RRR3]

Tmac averaging 32 ppg (the highest in the depression) and leading the league in scoring twice (including the worst year of 2004 in which he put up 62) while being doubled and even tripled regularly because he was the only offensive threat on the team

Thanks OP for reminding me of Tmac's greatness

GAWD-Mac

32/7/6/2/1 on 46/39/79 in 02-03

GOAT-tier stats

[SamuraiSWISH]

i love how you automatically assume im defending Kobe.

You always seem to do so ...

Yes in terms of money making, but never in terms of actual basketball being played.

I didn't make that claim it was best. Everyone has their opinion on something as subjective as that anyway ...

For me the 80's had too little defense besides a few Celtics, and Pistons clubs. Magic's Showtime Lakers romped over a PATHETIC Western Conference.

Late 90s through early 2000s had too much defense, no team play, and lack of fundamentals. Ugly basketball.

For me the early to mid 90's along with 2008 to today is more of a sweet spot equilibrium between the 80s, and the late 90s / early 2000s. Only difference between now and the early to mid 90s is more physicality, and intensity.

The early 90's was absolutely some of the best basketball ever played. It is a great mix of offensive, and defensive prowess. Bigs, and wings.

Even today's game, though lacking in physicality, and intensity ... has a streamlined beauty to their team offenses. The ball moves. Defense is still played, intelligently, albeit way less physically. I'd say 2008 - Now >>> 1999 - 2004 basketball. And it's reflected in ratings.

Late 90's wasn't great, specifically from 1998 forward, but even then there was just a few expansion teams ... there was multiple 60+ win teams. Extremely good teams:

Shaq / Penny's Orlando Magic
Riley's Zo / Hardaway Miami Heat
Ewing / Houston / LJ's Knicks (Van Gundy)

Sloan's Malone / Stockton Utah Jazz
Kemp / Payton / Shempf's Seattle Sonics
Hakeem / Drexler / Barkley Houston Rockets
Shaq / Eddie Jones / Van Excel LA Lakers

Hardly as diluted as you make it sound. You're being contrarian for the sake of enjoying arguments.

1999 - 2004 was actually bad American basketball being played.

[HOoopCityJones]

Competition from the 1999-2004 Era shits on the 90's.

Not only was the 90's depleted of great wing players of the 80's who could match up with Jordan, but the only other all around wing player during that time was his Teammate , Pippen.

1999-2004 had way more parity and harder defensive schemes.

[Haymaker]

Didn't old ass post knee surgery MJ scored at will during his Wizards seasons (2001-2003)? Scoring 20+ 42 times, 30+ nine times, and 40+ three times in his last season?