Over the years, the game of basketball has greatly changed. Whether it is an evolution or not has yet to be determined. Although it contains plenty of anecdotes about its two co-authors, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, the most interesting aspect of When the Game Was Ours is the contrast between basketball in the 1980s relative to the game today. In addition to new Association rules, players have different attitudes today. Less emphasis is placed on winning.
Firstly, it’s unlikely that we will ever see teams with multiple hall of famers like the mid-1980s Los Angeles Lakers (four) and Boston Celtics (five); more than one superstar consumes too much of a team’s salary cap. If a team needs a missing piece like the 1983-84 Celtics, they wouldn’t be able to trade for a player like Dennis Johnson. Superstars from other teams wouldn’t accept smaller roles like Maurice Lucas did in 1985 to join the Lakers and Bill Walton did a year later to play with Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish in 1986. Bit players jump from one team to another (Trevor Ariza) instead of staying part of a winning system (Byron Scott).
Furthermore, less value is placed on winning. A team that wins the championship is more likely to rest on their laurels, unlike the 1987-1988 Lakers who trained even harder in order to repeat. Whether it was running more frequently to increase aerobic endurance or lifting more weights to increase strength, the team pushed each other to get better (Now we know even more about the sport science behind basketball and can give players a wide variety of options). Larry Bird always put up hundreds of shots, even when injured. It is likely that Bird’s back injury result from playing through pain – no matter what.
Larry Bird and Magic Johnson may have become friends because of the rivalry which began with the 1979 N.C.A.A. title game, they never let friendship interfere with competition during games. Each served as inspiration and motivation for the other during training sessions.
Showtime added glitz to Lakers game without compromising winning. Magic Johnson always shared the ball and did what was necessary for the team to win. When Johnson retired and was replaced with Nick Van Exel at the point, selfishness took over and the Lakers experienced years of frustration. Now, they are led by Kobe Bryant’s drive, which matches the competiveness of Larry Bird or Pat Riley.
The Boston dynasty suffered an enormous blow when Len Bias – the athletic swingman who would have prolonged Bird’s career and rivalled Michael Jordan – died the night after the Association draft. He was one of several players who could have been part of something great but could not control themselves. Cedric Maxwell is another Celtic who could not balance his own goals with the team’s objectives.
Larry Bird’s teams always shared the ball, despite the fact that there was a clear leader on the floor. The team moved the ball so quickly that fans began to learn and anticipate the next pass. Now, offences are based on isolation plays or meek screen and rolls while the remaining three or four players stand by idly. Ball movement does not preclude great individual play but enhances it. In fact, when everyone on the court is a viable scoring option, the superstar’s work is easier.
Bird and Johnson possessed selflessness and sacrifice – two qualities that are in short supply today – in great quantities. They were amazing athletes who were also tremendous thinkers. Great players like Magic and Larry or Michael Jordan and John Stockton possessed great physical and mental talents. Today, the Association’s top players, such as LeBron or Kobe, combine both attributes and achieve more as a result.