I think the NBA is such a bad product, that I wouldn't really watch it at all if I wasn't so invested in the C's.
this. NBA product has deteriorated over the past few decades to the point where I haven't watched a non-Celtic game in over 25 years -- probably close to 30.
Some hope for improvement for those who hate the NBA product
https://twitter.com/action781/status/1445551491444461571?s=20
that's just a start. need to eliminate the euro-step, blatant palming on drives (back the days when dribbling the ball meant hand on top of the ball at all times -- not catching it in the palm and then bouncing --> no way the majority of these players that rely on that move to get by a defender could do so if they actually had to stick with real dribbling instead of being able to catch the ball in their palm and then basically throw it in the direction they want to drive), the lack of physicality and the obsession in the league of chucking 3s with an almost complete lack of big men that know how to play post offense. those steps are also needed to get back to having a watchable product on the floor.
I don't think ball-handling rules will ever come back. It's too entertaining for most people to see the kind of ball-handling wizardry on show in the modern game.
I think enlarging the court and moving the three point line might help open up offences for post-offence. I still remember 10 years ago when post defence was a key skill for a big man - now, it's not even on scouting reports for draft prospects. I think it's regrettable.
I'm still shocked the corner three exists. But, we have to be careful what we wish for with a return of posting up - the Mark Jackson rule is one of, if not the, best offensive rule change the NBA has ever made.
post offense can be a real joy to watch -- moreso than an endless barrage of 3's being chucked up. If Kevin Mchale was coming into the league as it's currently playing, I suspect every team would relegate him to end of the rotation in favor of a PF/C that can chuck from distance which would be a disgrace and a loss for real fans of the game.
as for the return to real dribbling, I sadly have to agree that the days of keeping the hand on top of the ball are likely never to return. Bob Cousy, fans of the game turn their lonely eyes to you.
For me, at least, it's all about degree:
Endless barrages of threes are bad. Great three point shooting is a delight.
Mark Jackson (or, on pain of death, Sir Charles) backing someone down for 15 seconds every possession is bad. I'll watch Hakeem highlights for an hour with my jaw open.
Even the 1v5 offenses of the late 90's early 00's had some amazing moments. I loved Allen Iverson's game, but I also loved the Kings.
I also loved watching the SSOL Suns. And the Spurs. And the 04 Pistons. And the grit and grind Grizzlies. And so on.
Because distinct basketball is almost always a joy to watch (unless it's the Morey Rockets with Harden, that was antithetical to joy as a concept).
On McHale, I still think distinct basketball can survive the also-ran system of rule changes and the advent of serious analytics. If one of your best players is a post-legend, you put him in the post X number of possessions per game. The numbers bear that out beyond the basic fan understanding that 3>2.