Celtics, Basketball of 1950s More Fun to Watch Than Mavericks or Heat

COMMENTARY | The Dallas Mavericks lost to the Miami Heat in Game 3 of the NBA Championship Finals 88-86. As with every Dallas game this year, the focus was on superstar Dirk Nowitzki and, as with every Heat game this year, the focus was on the "Big 3" -- LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade -- either how worthless they've been or how amazing.

Maurice London has posted an article at SBNation.com titled "NBA Finals, Heat Vs. Mavericks: Game Three Thoughts."

I don't care for the Heat. Heat fans call those of us who dislike Miami "haters." There is an element of truth to that. No player has ever made more of himself than LeBron James when deciding where to go from Cleveland, and no threesome ever was more arrogant and self-assured about winning the championship. Since most people are not Heat fans (because there are more non-Heat teams), there had to be some kind of backlash.

However, much as the early Oakland Raiders teams in the NFL, I imagine the fans revel in this "us against the world mentality."

Dallas has more than held its own against Miami despite having only one "superstar."

There was a shot that shouldn't have been allowed, perhaps. While it certainly didn't guarantee the game to Dallas, there was a shot that was questionable, according to Kurt Helin of ProBasketballTalk.com.

Why am I bringing that up? Should the Heat give the game back?

In the 1950s, once a play was made, since there was no instant replay, it was over -- the game moved on. However, since we all saw the gaff last night, it seems to me the sport has a responsibility to allow the game to keep up with technology.

In the 1950s, the Boston Celtics were the legends of the NBA world. No one my age will forget Bob Cousy dribbling behind his back or 6' 10" Bill Russell out-rebounding Wilt "The Stilt" Chamberlain despite giving up several inches.

When I was learning to play, you got a "step-and-a-half" per dribble. Further, you couldn't touch another player unless you were blocking him out with your body for a rebound. Of course, there was no three-point shot.

The idea of the shot clock came in the college ranks when college teams that won the tip-off "stalled" in order to beat stronger teams. The pros would have been too adept, and it was supposed to be a good spectator sport.

Last night, I watched as James took about three-and-a-half-steps per dribble. In my day, that would have been called "carrying the ball."

Today when we talk about a game, we talk about specific plays. Again, when I played and really followed a team, we talked about the "play of the team."

Today pro basketball is a different game.

References:

Probasketballtalk.com Website, Kurt Helin, "Mario Chalmers dramatic shot shouldn't have counted. Maybe"

SBNation.com Website, Maurice London, "NBA Finals, Heat Vs. Mavericks: Game Three Thoughts"