[Smogger]

Always make your first foul a hard foul? That's the sort of thinking that has destroyed the essential beauty of American basketball -- along with palming, walking, backing in, holding, trashtalking and managers who have no control over their team. Basketball is now, as O'Neal says it is, a street game, played by and for muggers.

Oh gee. A lot of lamenting and whistfullness in this post. Cry me a river. I have been a basketball fan for 20 years, and most playoff caliber teams today would take the teams from the so-called "glory days" apart.

For one thing the players are about 6 to 8 inches taller and a lot more athletic.

[judgeandjury]

I have been a basketball fan for 20 years, and most playoff caliber teams today would take the teams from the so-called "glory days" apart.

But which rules would you use? Today's "rules" in which players can get away with just about everything, including double-dribbling, palming, uncalled offensive fouls, holding, unsportsmanlike conduct, etc., or the rules that were in place and ENFORCED 20 years ago?

[anncoulteriscool]

****most playoff caliber teams today would take the teams from the so-called "glory days" apart. ****

In the "glory days" it was common to score 100 points in a game..even the losing team....now days that a major accomplishment...i really dont think its because of the awesome defenses....IMHO!