Bob Costas predicted today's sad state of affairs more than 20 years ago...

[Showtime80']

There has never been a close out broadcast to a season like this one, Costas put his heart on his sleeve because he along with everyone else knew that the Golden Era of the NBA ended after the 1998 Finals and the league has never been the same:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUcBnfJGJgA

The cornerstones of the Bulls (MJ/Scottie) and Jazz(Malone/Stockton) had been together for 10+ years by 1998, you will NEVER AGAIN witness something like that.

[RRR3]

Muh old skool

[Showtime80']

Loving the low key dig at Isiah by Costas by completely skipping him and the Bad Boy Pistons when mentioning the main protagonists in the Golden Era of basketball!

This is probably the time Zeke finally snapped on MJ because before that he was pretty much on board with the Jordan as GOAT narrative. Now he says Kareem and LeBron are the greatest, LOL!!!

[superduper]

Loving the low key dig at Isiah by Costas by completely skipping him and the Bad Boy Pistons when mentioning the main protagonists in the Golden Era of basketball!

This is probably the time Zeke finally snapped on MJ because before that he was pretty much on board with the Jordan as GOAT narrative. Now he says Kareem and LeBron are the greatest, LOL!!!

Pretty funny he didn't mention it, wonder if it was actually a shot. Very well spoken and accurate take. He just predicted it one era too early.

[bigkingsfan]

The cornerstones of the Bulls (MJ/Scottie)... together for 10+ years by 1998, you will NEVER AGAIN witness something like that.

Nope, they were together for 9.5 seasons.

[90sgoat]

Isiah and Rodman were both racists, but they definitely should be mentioned as all time greats.

[Showtime80']

I said years not seasons, Scottie came to the Bulls in 1987.

[jstern]

Loving the low key dig at Isiah by Costas by completely skipping him and the Bad Boy Pistons when mentioning the main protagonists in the Golden Era of basketball!

This is probably the time Zeke finally snapped on MJ because before that he was pretty much on board with the Jordan as GOAT narrative. Now he says Kareem and LeBron are the greatest, LOL!!!

I just saw a video, Open Court, talking about biggest regrets, and Isiah said that his biggest regret was not three peating because it made his Pistons teams with only two championships, forgotten. That people talk about the Bulls, Celtics, and Lakers.

[Showtime80']

I don't know about that stern, Magic and Larry never 3-peated and still they are universally loved and remembered like MJ.

I personally LOOOOVE Isiah and think he gets underrated in the all-time lists which in my opinion you can make a case for him being top 15-20 ever!

The problem for Isiah started when he backed Rodman in those stupid Larry Bird comments after they got eliminated in the 87' ECF and right after he developed the most violent and physical playing style EVER in the NBA with the Bad Boys which pissed off other superstars and alienated a lot of fans of other teams. The walk off against the Bulls in 91 was just the final nail in his public persona.

Had Isiah condemned Rodman for those comments and the Pistons won those titles with a more appealing offensive approach (they could have) history would've remembered him differently and would probably be mentioned alongside the trinity of MJ/Magic/Larry.

[1987_Lakers]

Are we just going to ignore that Duncan/Parker/Ginobili all played together for 14 seasons and won 4 championships together?

I swear, some of these threads are retarded as hell.

[Cleverness]

Are we just going to ignore that Duncan/Parker/Ginobili all played together for 14 seasons and won 4 championships together?

I swear, some of these threads are retarded as hell.

It's crazy how Duncan's Spurs have gotten like no credit for all their accomplishments.

Have you heard any media talk about Duncan or even mention him since he retired in 2016?

[SpaceJam2]

Jordan beat up trashcan teams in the Finals...

[FKAri]

Loving the low key dig at Isiah by Costas by completely skipping him and the Bad Boy Pistons when mentioning the main protagonists in the Golden Era of basketball!

This is probably the time Zeke finally snapped on MJ because before that he was pretty much on board with the Jordan as GOAT narrative. Now he says Kareem and LeBron are the greatest, LOL!!!

Zeke was never on board. Kareem and his entire generation were never on board. Magic was hesitant to get on board. Bird was the only one fully on board.

[1987_Lakers]

Zeke was never on board. Kareem and his entire generation were never on board. Magic was hesitant to get on board. Bird was the only one fully on board.

One of the things I always liked about Bird, always understood when greatness was in front of him and never got caught up in Nostalgia. Also realized LeBron would end up as one of the greatest ever when he still a very young age.

[Showtime80']

I don't know Kari, here's another clip from both Magic and Isiah before the Bulls even 3-peated for the first time in 93:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI7KyGRxKgs&t=490s

I think Isiah has gotten bitter over time as he has failed as an owner, commissioner in the CBA, coach and executive now being reduced to dumbed down analysis with the likes of knuckleheads like Baron Davis, Chris Webber and KG on TNT.

The problem with the Spurs of the 2000's is that they were a very bland team with no personality and even though they won 5 titles will be easily forgotten sort of like the 50's Minneapolis Lakers. Even the Shaq/Kobe Lakers were not a very entertaining team aside from those two and their off court drama will always overshadow their titles together.