Remember the time when a hoops fan could actually sit down and enjoy a good game from one of the big teams? Yeah. It’s been a while since we could cheer for the Knicks, the St. John’s Redmen (not that silly Red Storm tag because of too many supersensitive people who don’t get sports and never will) or now even the Nets.

With my alma mater falling to out of all teams Niagara at Carnesecca Hall the other night for the first time in 44 years along with a heartless Knicks team having enough to get by even Jason Kidd and Co. which features the worst $68.5 million perimeter investment in the NBA, it begs the question when does it finally end?!?!?!?!?!

If you want bad ballin’, then sadly you came to the right place where the Jim Dolan/Isiah Thomas Knicks are tied for the NBA’s fourth worst record (7-16). Despite a big three of Kidd, Vincesanity and RJ, the Nets aren’t much better at only 10-14.

For our statistical analysts such as John Giagnorio AKA JPG, that’s a combined record of 17-30. As the words in one of the better Weezer songs says, “Say It Ain’t So.”

These days, it’s getting harder for hoop fans to find a team who can actually make them smile and enjoy the game. Luckily for myself, I at least get that opportunity once in a while thanks to scoring ACIS games at Berkeley Carroll in Park Slope.

Yes. There’s actually some good ‘ole fun team oriented high school ball being played at the athletic center. That can happen because the star player Zoe Cohen of the girls varsity team actually listens to her coach and makes teammates better around her. Amazing concept, huh?

The varsity boys don’t possess much size but they won’t always settle for the outside jumper. One of the lost arts I notice with today’s game is how little ball movement there is. Take the Knicks-Bulls game a few nights prior in Chicago. All I had to do was watch a few possessions and it was easy to see why these teams are stinking it up. There was way too much one-on-one play with teammates standing around watching instead of moving constantly.

Simple fundamentals such as passing, finding the open man and sliding your feet have become almost extinct in our bad teams. Instead of just hustling and doing what it takes to win, our star players would rather try to get as many points as they can and not be unselfish and group serving. That means playing D too. Not letting a guy five inches smaller than you abuse you inside like Eddy “Fat Albert” Curry.

One of the problems is the money these guys make. Let’s face it. If you’re cashing checks which add up to $15 to 20 million, you might fall into bad habits and take it easy.

The salaries are so out of wack these days that it almost invites guys to settle rather than earn their money.

Unless you’re part of a really good organization such as the Spurs who prioritizes winning over anything else, there’s a good chance that if you have too many stars, it will become dysfunctional such as the Knicks.

That’s why I have to tip my cap and give a ton of credit to KG, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce of the 20-2 Celtics (NBA’s best record) because each has put their differences aside to co-exist and try to bring back the Larry O’Brien trophy to Boston like the old days when Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish were starring for those great Celtics teams two decades earlier. 

The ultimate test will come next Spring when the newly formed dynamic superstar trio comes up against the Detroits, Orlandos and maybe even Toronto or the Nets if they wake up before their season collapses.

It’s true that the league isn’t as strong as it once was. As usual, the West is much deeper with the defending champion Spurs, Mavs, Suns, Jazz, Nuggets, Hornets and even the Warriors and Lakers. Houston and the surprising Blazers minus Greg Oden should also be in the mix for a final playoff spot. 

If only there was that much balance in the East where parity continues to be the theme. Though I got to give props to Eddie Jordan’s Wizards (13-10) for staying afloat despite no Gilbert Arenas. They’ve won four straight thanks to All-Stars Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison.  Underrated backup vet PG Antonio Daniels is out two to four weeks which could hurt on the court.

Of course, praising other depleted teams who persevere and don’t make excuses isn’t solving our dilemma here in NYC.

Unless you’re a HS hoops fan who appreciates the talent of Lincoln’s Lance Stephenson, there’s really not much to suggest.

St. John’s continues to struggle and it could be another long year with Anthony Mason, Jr. banged up. When exactly does Norm Roberts deliver a team we can be proud of?

Man. Even my old HS McKee/Staten Island Tech is now putting out a team which can win games and make the PSAL playoffs.

When I went to Tech and ran track, they used to be the laughingstock. I even recall a time where the next day in gym class, even some of the players were joking and laughing about how they got outscored by one player.

It’s a small school still but somehow they’ve managed to improve the program much like track, soccer and volleyball which have had recent success.

So, when do metro area b’ball fans get a team they can appreciate?

Maybe never. 

So, here’s a little something on the awful ballin’ we get to see in a state of misery. Walt “Clyde” Frazier would be proud of that one. ;)

 

Remember the time when you could actually cheer

Instead of watching your team in a state of fear

When Ewing, Oakley and Starks brought the house down

But now you have Starbury, Crawford and Fat Albert along with Dolan the clown

There was a time when Kidd, RJ and K-Mart made it rain

Instead it’s VC chucking his ass off what a crying shame

There also was a normal Ron Artest, Omar Cook and Bootsy from downtown

Now it’s Eugine Lawrence and the gang which can’t shoot straight bringing frowns

This is what’s become of our city’s game

Oh the misery and oh the pain

As brick after brick clang off the rim drawing boos from the crowd

When sudden orchestrated drum beats try to stop the Fire Isiah chants which ring loud

You still find yourself watching for some unknown reason

Even if there’s nothing more to believe in this cold season

And so you continue to search for an actual real good team

Which could make it all better not making you scream

But sometimes it’s what you get to see in front of you which reigns supreme

On a cold December night you finally discovered a real basketball team

One you could admire and be proud of not hanging your head in disgust

The kind which would never let you down and fully trust