The stereotype that NBA players don't know how to fight always comes up, especially when your talking to someone who watched the NBA in the 70's and 80's. It really covers all sports that "back in the day" men and the game were tougher. The referee swallowed the whistle and let play continue, no players crying for calls, and pretty much no one making a big deal over a hard foul. Shoot your free throws and move on. This season not being different from any of the recent past seasons, had a lot of guys being called out for being fake tough guys. That was basically what Kevin Durant said about Chris Bosh. Charlie V and Joakim Noah both have had run-ins with KG and said the same thing about him. I've always been a huge fan of KG the moment he entered the league, and coming with that means I understand that he has for lack of better words, "tendencies" that some might frown upon. All the years that he has played in the NBA have you seen him get into a legitimate fight? http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=FASClJTnJ4I I saw this video before and I'm not making fun of KG but a kind of am. So watching that understand he's not the only NBA player who's bark is louder than their bite, he just tends to stand out. http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=p4CqDK3yUNE Mild mannered Doug Christie as you can see probably never got messed with after that, although that rivalry was always at a boiling point. KG and Doug Christie played in the league together for a while and never had an incident. Coincidence?
I'm not promoting fighting in the NBA because that would be bad for business, but we must agree that if you start a scuffle and a crowd gathers, you better be getting tossed. Dwight Howard as big as he is probably has never been in a legitimate fight. Not because he is scared or weak, but because who wants to take the chance and find out? Shaq is a different story and you can YouTube his name and fights and you'll see. Saying that means NBA players, not all of them but some of them just never been in a fight. So when push comes to shove it just looks like slap boxing and a lot of flailing. The two piece that Kobe got from Chris Childs showed everyone watching who had been in a fight more recently. This fight by the time this is posted happened not to long ago. http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=MR5c0BWalP0 Now this next video is a montage of sorts but notice Michael Jordan during the playoffs with David Stern in attendance. http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=7CbbOAbMZEE Probably the greatest NBA player ever is in the middle of a brawl. Why? His bite is just as equal to if not more than his bark. There is no point in holding up the game if your not prepared to get tossed. I understand players were ejected from the Heat Wizards game but you know what I mean. Dominique Wilkins put some guy down at a Atlanta Hawks game who ran up on him. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C1PXMRBUfk. Yes, retired former slam dunk champion Dominique still good to go.
I can say that players now are bigger, faster, and most likely stronger than ever but still continue to slap box. I hate having to admit to my father and all the other older generations I talk sports with that they are right. I think I can make a top 10 best NBA fighters list for the 2010/2011 season, but it would be easier if I chose a random season in the 80's or early 90's and come up with a top 10 list faster.
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