Can we enjoy the game? Or, do we always need to compare?

[Alleyoopster]

After reading a number of recent CB posts I noticed a trend in that we are being asked to compare one player against another. Or, asked to compare one team against another. For example, is this year's team better than last? Marcus or Rozier? Semi or Jae? Hayward vs Tatem?

Can't both players or teams be good? Do we really need to make constant comparisons? Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Does analyzing these differences really help us enjoy the game? Or, would it be more worthwhile to enjoy the game and think to ourselves and say, "wow, what a great play!" Are we stuck in comparison mode all the time? I’m not picking on individual posters for I do it myself. 

Sometimes, when I read these posts I get the feeling we aren't even enjoying what's happening at the moment. Instead, we watch Kyrie dribble the ball through the lane and we're thinking about how Isaiah used to do it? Did he do it better or worse? Who cares!!! Isaiah played great last year. Kyrie is playing great this year too. Why do we need to compare their stats and style of play? Is it really important?
 
Same with Jae. Last year he had a spectacular season. And, he helped the team win a lot of games. It was fun. Now Semi plays for the team. Shouldn’t we be satisfied with what he brings to the table? Do we need to constantly compare one player’s strength over the other player’s weakness? 

Maybe this is much ado about nothing because this is a discussion group. I'm just wondering about what’s going on in our minds. Are we missing the bigger picture when we remain focused on never-ending, player-comparison analysis?

[Androslav]

TP.
Bill Russel once said that he disciplined himself to never compare or try to describe players as similar, as there are no two same players or persons. Everyone is unique, and not acknowledging that is would be a mistake, paid on the basketball court.

I can't remember the exact quote, but that is how I remembered it and I think you are echoing some of that healthy sentiment.

[incoherent]

Some of the people who were adamantly against the Kyrie and Tatum trades have been extremely vocal about it and they are getting some backlash now.   

Probably why your seeing so much comparison stuff.  It's obvious what we have now is better then what we did have and people want to stick it to the trade haters.

[mmmmm]

Tommy Point!  (worth spelling out)

One factor in this on-going 'conversation' that I find frustrating is that some folks can't seem to understand that one CAN really like and support the player acquired in a trade (i.e., Kyrie) and still not be a fan of the trade itself as a transaction.

They are two separate things.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

TP.
Bill Russel once said that he disciplined himself to never compare or try to describe players as similar, as there are no two same players or persons. Everyone is unique, and not acknowledging that is would be a mistake, paid on the basketball court.

I can't remember the exact quote, but that is how I remembered it and I think you are echoing some of that healthy sentiment.

Yeah, Bill was like Tim Duncan. Quiet, but filled with insight.

[Green-18]

After reading a number of recent CB posts I noticed a trend in that we are being asked to compare one player against another. Or, asked to compare one team against another. For example, is this year's team better than last? Marcus or Rozier? Semi or Jae? Hayward vs Tatem?

Can't both players or teams be good? Do we really need to make constant comparisons? Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Does analyzing these differences really help us enjoy the game? Or, would it be more worthwhile to enjoy the game and think to ourselves and say, "wow, what a great play!" Are we stuck in comparison mode all the time? I’m not picking on individual posters for I do it myself. 

Sometimes, when I read these posts I get the feeling we aren't even enjoying what's happening at the moment. Instead, we watch Kyrie dribble the ball through the lane and we're thinking about how Isaiah used to do it? Did he do it better or worse? Who cares!!! Isaiah played great last year. Kyrie is playing great this year too. Why do we need to compare their stats and style of play? Is it really important?
 
Same with Jae. Last year he had a spectacular season. And, he helped the team win a lot of games. It was fun. Now Semi plays for the team. Shouldn’t we be satisfied with what he brings to the table? Do we need to constantly compare one player’s strength over the other player’s weakness? 

Maybe this is much ado about nothing because this is a discussion group. I'm just wondering about what’s going on in our minds. Are we missing the bigger picture when we remain focused on never-ending, player-comparison analysis?

Personally I shut off any comparisons while I watch the games.  I could care less about individual performances unless they contribute to winning. You are absolutely right about a lot of people on this forum feeling the need to compare everything.  However, I think a lot of us like to debate and analyze these things because we enjoy the experience of being a fan.  Our team has been a treat to watch under CBS and I truthfully wish they played 5 or 6 nights per week!  This is an outlet to talk about things that our casual friends have no interest in.  The constant debates and comparisons are a great way to stay engaged between games.  There aren't many other basketball forums that come close to approaching the level of activity as this one.   

[celts55]

Someone once said " Blowing out my candle does not make yours burn any brighter".
Guess that's how i feel. I don't really care if we got a steal in a trade. It's okay if it benefits both sides. I don't want to pick between Tatum and Brown, I enjoy watching them both. What is this? Sophie's Choice?
I'm with you. 9-2 team. Enjoy

[Green-18]

Someone once said " Blowing out my candle does not make yours burn any brighter".
Guess that's how i feel. I don't really care if we got a steal in a trade. It's okay if it benefits both sides. I don't want to pick between Tatum and Brown, I enjoy watching them both. What is this? Sophie's Choice?
I'm with you. 9-2 team. Enjoy

Agreed.  I like the fact that the Avery Bradley trade is benefiting both teams.  It's great to see one of our former players having an impact on a franchise that desperately needs it.  Nothing but love for the guys that helped build this thing. 

[wdleehi]

Considering this is a place to discuss, and as sports fans, we often compare players, I would expect to see more of it.

[Donoghus]

Comparison is nature of the beast.  It give you some sort of tangible handle/starting point on discussion. 

Also, with the amount of turnover between last season & this season, its bound to happen.

[Eja117]

Making rankings is my 35th favorite thing to do and comparing is 47th

[footey]

I generally don't like to compare, but sometimes a player will remind me of another.  E.g., Baynes reminded me of Cowens in certain things he did (how he puts up both hands on defense, how he loves that 15 foot jumper), or how Zizic's gate (lumbering) and build (big shoulders, long arms) reminded me of Perk.  That's how my brain works I guess.

I think when I get caught up in current comparisons, as to who is better than whom (e.g., Kyrie vs. IT, or Jae vs. Semi), there is some element of trying to "prove" an earlier position on a trade. I think we get carried away with this a lot. I know that I do.

[DarkAzcura]

Kyrie vs IT comparisons are particularly annoying because IT haters are acting like Kyrie is playing on a different level than IT last year..which is just wrong.

It's possible to recognize that IT was better last year, but also prefer Kyrie for the next 5-7 years. I don't know why that is so hard to understand for those who love to make blanket comparisons. There is a grey area to all of this. 

[slamtheking]

Someone once said " Blowing out my candle does not make yours burn any brighter".
Guess that's how i feel. I don't really care if we got a steal in a trade. It's okay if it benefits both sides. I don't want to pick between Tatum and Brown, I enjoy watching them both. What is this? Sophie's Choice?
I'm with you. 9-2 team. Enjoy

I like that quote - I may use it in the future.  TP for the philosophical enlightenment.

[Eja117]

Someone once said " Blowing out my candle does not make yours burn any brighter".
Guess that's how i feel. I don't really care if we got a steal in a trade. It's okay if it benefits both sides. I don't want to pick between Tatum and Brown, I enjoy watching them both. What is this? Sophie's Choice?
I'm with you. 9-2 team. Enjoy

Someone also said something like "We're gonna rip out their guts and use them to grease the treads of our tanks and then we're gonna murder them by the bushel."

Competition. The NBA is about competition. Competition is about who is best and by how much. It's why they keep stats and scores.