Too Much Comradarie in the NBA?

[Check my Stats]

"I think there's a little too much of it going on. I had a different mindset when I played. I always wanted to keep an edge. I always wanted to have the upper edge. That's how I approached it, even when I coached. I could never have a close relationship with my opponents. I thought if I did I'd lose my edge."

 

LeBron James was fined $25,000 for not shaking hands with the Magic when the Cavaliers lost in the Eastern Conference Finals last season. Bird disagreed with the fine.

 

"I didn't shake hands when we lost to the Lakers," he recalled. "I never shook hands. When the Lakers and Celtics played, we didn't shake hands. When I first got to play against Magic, there was a hate factor there. It was more than just dislike."

 

Agree or disagree? Post your thoughts.

 

Source: RealGM

Edited November 8, 2009 by travesy3

[headliner]

There is definitely too much camaraderie in the NBA. I can’t stand the fact players are shaking hands before and after the game. Sometimes during the game I’ve seen player from opposite teams joking around and laughing. I understand showing respect amongst your peers but at the same time every player has to look at their peers as their opponents. NBA players needs save that love crap for each other outside the area because on the court I want to see some tough, physical and emotional basketball to be played.

 

One of the other problems I see is the way the game is being called these days. If you lay a hand on a player it’s a foul. The rules don’t truly allow physical play to happen and I think it’s a shame.