Why the lack of respect for old school basketball superstars?

[WillC]

It surprises me when I see people on the message boards mocking old school basketball players like Wilt Chamberlain and Bob Cousy.

Why is there such a lack of respect for basketball pioneers and superstars from years gone by?

To use a phrase from the UK, you're pissing on your own door step. Players like Chamberlain and Cousy helped push the boundaries of the game, and yet many posters on ISH talk about old school players like they're trash and couldn't care less about the game's history.

I don't get it.

We all love basketball - that's what brings us together on the boards - so why not show a little respect for the men who helped the game become what it is today?

I wish people cared a little less about Jeremy Lin and a little more about Hank Luisetti.

[LABean]

It's basically Jordan's fault.
His stans flood everything with him, that other players get overshadowed.
Sounds like hate, but it's the truth.

Good thread, OP.

[PTB Fan]

Not enough footage of their brilliance which is why they aren't as appreciated as much as they should be

[bleedinpurpleTwo]

5 sta

[SpecialQue]

90% of the posters here view old basketball players the same way they view black & white films, as something outdated and inferior.

[stallionaire]

I wouldn't disagree with anyone who put at Wilt as 2nd to Jordan. There is decent footage of Wilt clips already (sped up to regular motion) as well as comprehensive stats which explain why he was such a dominate legend.

I'm in my early 20s but I respect basketball pre-80s a lot. Without those guys I wouldn't be enjoying the sport I do today.

[Crown&Coke]

every generation got their own set of goggles on, kinda pound on their chest type of believe that no one can carry their dudes jock strap.

and due to the inability to defend their position, the only think left to do is try to dismiss guys accomplishments

[Living Being]

Cousy >>>> Baron Davis

[get these NETS]

OP

taking the piss....is the term, I think
====================================


real sports fans understand a word called CONTEXT


game existed before today's players and will exist after them


lot of people aren't real sports fans but highlight watchers...

[AMISTILLILL]

There's an age old argument surrounding this... and it's one that will never, ever be settled. More than anything, chalk it up to an 'out of sight, out of mind' mentality for younger basketball fans. If they aren't able to see the highlights, it must not have been that spectacular.

[Kobe 4 The Win]

Ignorance

[DuMa]

i was really fond of that mountain lion, ok?

[Punpun]

See it like this. Those players played in different leagues. So it's only normal you don't compare them. SABONIS is considered to be one of the BEST center ever. Yet as he spent 90% of his career in some European league, he isn't on talk for greatest all times.

So Wilt and Russel dominated the old NBA. Dr J dominates the ABA and then you have the MODERN ERA which is NBA + ABA.

--

Dat 777 post.

[305Baller]

Hank Luisetti? Really?


ok

[WillC]

OP

taking the piss....is the term, I think

I'm British, and you're right, I could have used that term, but it has a different meaning.

'Pissing on your own doorstep' has the same meaning as the saying 'cutting off your nose to spite your face'.

In other words, when young basketball fans belittle the achievements of Wilt Chamberlain or any other old school superstar, it does them no favours. It makes them look ignorant and, simultaneously, diminishes the validity of our sport.

It seems to be unique to basketball message boards and ISH in particular.

I am a big football (soccer) fan and you don't find many fans mocking Pele, Maradona, Bobby Moore, Cruyff, etc. Fans are much more respectful of football's history.

There seems to be something unique about ISH that brings the worst out of youngsters.

SLAM magazine - who represent modern basketball culture well - have, for the past fifteen years or so, gone out of their way to educate modern fans about the game's history. Whether it was the article in issue 100 about Wilt Chamberlain or their various old school articles, you'd think modern fans would get the hint: respect the game's history.

After all, it won't be long before LeBron James and Kobe Bryant are 'old school' players from yesteryear.