The Ten Moments that Changed the NBA Forever: Part 3

Ten Moments that Changed the NBA Forever continued...

8. Make it rain (3's)!

The 1979-1980 NBA season sported many new and significant changes. The New Orleans Jazz had just made their move to Utah, the Indiana Pacers joined the league, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird both entered into their Rookie seasons, and the NBA contracted its first Cable television venture. The most significant change of all however, was the incorporation of the three point line into the professional game.

The three point line was not exactly new or unique to the game of basketball before the NBA adopted it. Both the short lived American Basketball League and the ABA had been using it for around a decade up to that point. The ABA in particular had been utilizing the shot as a marketing tool to compete with the league.

On October 12, 1979 Boston Celtics Guard Chris Ford made the first 3 point field goal in NBA history. Since then throwing the rock up from behind the arch has become a staple of the game. From spectacular clutch shots to last minute buzzer beaters the 3 point shot has provided a brilliant plot twist for each and every game played.


9. Leaping over the Great Wall.

The game of basketball and the popularity of the NBA has known no greater cross border success than within the walls of China. The NBA, per Shanghai native Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets, has known its most significant short term growth through the 30 million viewers each week and an estimated 500 million active fans all across China.

China has produced many fantastic NBA stars. When the Dallas Mavericks 7'1 Wang made his debut in the NBA he became the first Chinese born player to step foot on the court. The popularity of Chinese stars such as Wang (Mavericks), Ming (Rockets), Jianlian (Wizards), and Bateer (Nuggets) cannot easily be realized through the scope of American viewership. When Bateer and Wang faced off in Bateer's second game in the league 400 million Chinese viewers tuned in to watch.

The popularity of the NBA and the sport of basketball should only continue to grow in China. The Dream Team may have introduced the high octane NBA game to the world. But it is players like Ming and Jianlian that are going to keep it relevant.

10. Supposed Indecision 2010

The summer of 2010 was a media circus to say the least. At no other time in NBA history had the league showcased so many high profile free agents. On the block were big names such as Dallas Mavericks Forward Dirk Nowitzki along with Joe Johnson (G Atlanta Hawks), Carlos Boozer (F Utah Jazz), Paul Pierce (G Boston Celtics), Amar'e Stoudemire (F Phoenix Suns), Chris Bosh (F Toronto Raptors), Dwayne Wade (G Miami Heat) and of course the biggest name of them all- LeBron James (F Cleveland Cavaliers).

Speculation ran rampant over the course of the off-season; with many of the player's projected destinations changing by the hour. When the dust finally settled most teams were able to retain their superstars. Nowitzki, Johnson, Pierce and Wade all stayed with their respective franchises. However, Boozer, Stoudemire, Bosh and James had all decided to move on.

If 2010's free agency class were likened unto a lottery, LeBron James would qualify as the jackpot ticket. Practically every team with the available cap space took it upon themselves to lobby hard for LBJ; anything less would be considered a consolation prize. The Miami Heat won the day when they were able to obtain LeBron. Their spoils were in large part due to the efforts of Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh to lure their Olympic teammate to the roster.

The media coverage of LeBron's free agency has become a topic of much discussion and will undoubtedly remain so for some time to come. For many the coverage leading up to and including the 1 Hour ESPN special titled "The Decision" was completely over the top. In the wake of the 24 hour news fiasco LeBron endured accusations of self aggrandizement, as well as being branded as a narcissist. The once beloved King James was courted with so much enthusiasm one could have easily mistaken him for Disney's Princess Jasmine. But as is the story with the Princess (sorta), LeBron hopped on his magic carpet and took his talents to South Beach, leaving Agrabah behind.

For others, LeBron was the victim of an aggressive multi-party marketing strategy to fill the void left by Jordan. Will LeBron ever be Michael Jordan? The easy answer is no. Just like their will never be another Babe Ruth or Wayne Gretzky. But truth be told, he does not have to be. LeBron is still easily the most physically talented player in the game today. In spite of what your feelings may be about the man; the machine LeBron James is
now coupled with two other perennial all-stars and an
organization that features basketball wizard Pat Riley at the helm. I constantly hear the naysayers casting aspersions about the Heat and their ability to match up with the other top Franchises in the league. I simply submit the question: Who matches up well with the King and the Heat? I am looking forward to the 2010-2011 NBA season with much anticipation.

Happy trails and thanks for reading. Please remember to tune in for my MLB postseason preview as well as my soon to come NBA preseason power rankings and predictions.

-The Groundskeeper