Where Have All The Bad Guys Gone?
The San Antonio Spurs dominated the playoffs but what was more upsetting than watching them run over their competition was the passive way they want about it. While everyone lauds them as champions, they play most of their games as if they are disinterested. They were just dominant enough so that you knew they would win but they'd never blow someone out of the water and embarrass them. They'd try just enough in the first half to stay close and then play just good enough in the end to close the opponent out. While people bemoan the dominance, the real issue is the lack of pizazz they add to the proceedings. 1983's playoffs were even more lopsided but one proclamation, Moses Malone's "Fo, Fo, Fo" (predicting three sweeps en route to the title) made it a memorable post-season.
And it's not like this post-season was an anamoly. The NBA as a whole has become devoid of personality and a certain fire. Has there ever been a time in the NBA where two players have been as dominant as Duncan and Shaq (they've won 8 of the last 9 championships) yet there is absolutely not one ounce of rivalry between them? How many times have you ever heard a debate about Duncan vs. Shaq? The two have met five times in the playoffs yet there is hardly a single memorable moment from any of those meetings. And it's not like there's any hope of one blossoming. Shaq, who once called himself the most dominant player in the league has handed the reins of his team to Dwyane Wade and is on the downside of his career.
And who is going to step up and fill the personality void left by Shaq, Diesel, the Big Aristotle? Lebron's focus on being a "world icon" has basically turned him into an empty uniform in terms of personality. While Jordan was dominant, he had a killer instinct and a slight swagger that, while not pronounced, was enough to annoy all opponents. Magic had his smile but he also had that switch that would turn him into a mercenary if that was what was needed to win. Larry Bird was downright cocky and didn't care if you knew it. Dwyane Wade is great but he doesn't exhibit those same traits. He's more like David Robinson, a nice guy who happens to be amazing at basketball. Carmelo Anthony might have it but just ask Tracy McGrady how much swagger matters if you can't get out of the first round. Gilbert Arenas has personality but he's more of a clown prince than lethal weapon. And who the hell knows what Chris Bosh is even like?
While the NBA is doing everything it can to clean up its image, the bottom line is that the league needs some villains. People might root for the heroes but they'll always pay more attention to the bad guys. People claimed they were sick of hearing about Terrell Owens, but that didn't make them stop talking about Terrell Owens. Everyone knows when A-Rod and the Yankees are in town. The NBA, however, doesn't have anyone to fill that role. Kobe seemed poised to take over but the Lakers haven't been good enough to make him relevant. Ditto for Vince Carter and Ron Artest. Josh Smith has potential but he needs to realize that to be successful you have to piss off your opponents, not your teammates. Everyone loves to hate the Knicks but the hate has gotten so bad of late that they are turning into the overpaid underdogs that you hope might be able to turn it around. Even worse, when possible villains do make it to good teams, the NBA and the media seems to do everything they can to paint them in more positive light. Rasheed Wallace was the poster boy of villainy during the Lakers/Blazers era but then became a misunderstood underdog when he helped lead the Pistons past the Blazers. Stephen Jackson underwent a similar change (although his constant complaining wore that will out in the Utah series). Bruce Bowen is gaining recognition but he doesn't have a foil to go up against. He's Rodman without a Jordan; Michael Cooper without his Bird.
The latest draft doesn't seem to hold much in terms of Villain potential. The one guy who seems like he could fill the role is Joakim Noah. If he pans out, I think all of his histrionics will make it pretty easy for opposing fans to want to root against him. But the real anti-saviors could be arriving in 2008. OJ Mayo and Michael Beasley are two throwback players in terms of their disinterest in whether or not opponents like them. Mayo has never shied away from letting people know how good he is and Michael Beasley won't refrain from yapping at his opponents during the game. And most importantly, they both have the skills to back up their boasts. Donte Green doesn't have bad guy potential but he is a vocal player with a flair for the dramatic.
While the future of the NBA looks bright talent-wise, hopefully some of the young prospects will start showing a little more attitude of Gary Payton, the flair of Larry Johnson, the determination of Alonzo Mourning, or the personality of Charles Barkley. As Gore Vidal once said, "It's not enough to succeed. Others must fail." A league full of nice guys isn't going to be entertaining to the average fan. The NBA needs to say hi to the bad guys that opposing fans relish rooting against.
And who is going to step up and fill the personality void left by Shaq, Diesel, the Big Aristotle? Lebron's focus on being a "world icon" has basically turned him into an empty uniform in terms of personality. While Jordan was dominant, he had a killer instinct and a slight swagger that, while not pronounced, was enough to annoy all opponents. Magic had his smile but he also had that switch that would turn him into a mercenary if that was what was needed to win. Larry Bird was downright cocky and didn't care if you knew it. Dwyane Wade is great but he doesn't exhibit those same traits. He's more like David Robinson, a nice guy who happens to be amazing at basketball. Carmelo Anthony might have it but just ask Tracy McGrady how much swagger matters if you can't get out of the first round. Gilbert Arenas has personality but he's more of a clown prince than lethal weapon. And who the hell knows what Chris Bosh is even like?
While the NBA is doing everything it can to clean up its image, the bottom line is that the league needs some villains. People might root for the heroes but they'll always pay more attention to the bad guys. People claimed they were sick of hearing about Terrell Owens, but that didn't make them stop talking about Terrell Owens. Everyone knows when A-Rod and the Yankees are in town. The NBA, however, doesn't have anyone to fill that role. Kobe seemed poised to take over but the Lakers haven't been good enough to make him relevant. Ditto for Vince Carter and Ron Artest. Josh Smith has potential but he needs to realize that to be successful you have to piss off your opponents, not your teammates. Everyone loves to hate the Knicks but the hate has gotten so bad of late that they are turning into the overpaid underdogs that you hope might be able to turn it around. Even worse, when possible villains do make it to good teams, the NBA and the media seems to do everything they can to paint them in more positive light. Rasheed Wallace was the poster boy of villainy during the Lakers/Blazers era but then became a misunderstood underdog when he helped lead the Pistons past the Blazers. Stephen Jackson underwent a similar change (although his constant complaining wore that will out in the Utah series). Bruce Bowen is gaining recognition but he doesn't have a foil to go up against. He's Rodman without a Jordan; Michael Cooper without his Bird.
The latest draft doesn't seem to hold much in terms of Villain potential. The one guy who seems like he could fill the role is Joakim Noah. If he pans out, I think all of his histrionics will make it pretty easy for opposing fans to want to root against him. But the real anti-saviors could be arriving in 2008. OJ Mayo and Michael Beasley are two throwback players in terms of their disinterest in whether or not opponents like them. Mayo has never shied away from letting people know how good he is and Michael Beasley won't refrain from yapping at his opponents during the game. And most importantly, they both have the skills to back up their boasts. Donte Green doesn't have bad guy potential but he is a vocal player with a flair for the dramatic.
While the future of the NBA looks bright talent-wise, hopefully some of the young prospects will start showing a little more attitude of Gary Payton, the flair of Larry Johnson, the determination of Alonzo Mourning, or the personality of Charles Barkley. As Gore Vidal once said, "It's not enough to succeed. Others must fail." A league full of nice guys isn't going to be entertaining to the average fan. The NBA needs to say hi to the bad guys that opposing fans relish rooting against.
