Reminiscing: Things I Miss About Basketball

The NBC theme song
This song was amazing. The melody set the stage for basketball, it pumped you up, it pumped up the commentators, and you were just ready to watch basketball.

Chicago Bulls Introduction
NBC loved to televise Chicago Bulls game, and before every game they would make sure they televised the Chicago Bulls introduction movie and song. I don't know what it is about the little movie with the bull, but I really liked watching it. I was really glad that they played the introduction movie for the Boston Celtics on ABC this year.

Player Introductions
ABC, TNT, ESPN, whichever, they don't like televising player introductions and I don't know why. It was always great on NBC when they introduced the position, college, and number of years in the league for each player. You were allowed to watch the players get introduced, which definitely added a personality aspect to the players. But nowadays, the networks show a little pop-up of the starting lineup and leave it as that, LAME. Let's bring in some character, yea? (Yeah I know, ABC did it in game 7 of the Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers game; maybe they heard me)

Player rivalries/fights
This is probably for the best, but I miss player rivalries. Nothing like Chris Paul vs. Deron Williams, but more like Kobe Bryant vs. Reggie Miller. Charles Barkley retaliating against Shaq. Anyone vs. Mr. 7'6" Bradley. I know fights look bad for the league, but c'mon now, a little extra fight never hurt basketball, it probably helped it (outside that Detroit fiasco). Sometimes I would watched Indiana Pacer games just to see Reggie Miller get into shit with someone.

Shawn Kemp
Sucks that he did drugs, but this man was out of control. He was what Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson are today in the NFL. He was skilled, talented, and he made sure that you knew it. He would slam it down every chance he got, and afterwards you would get a slam dunk celebration. This man had no fear, he would always try to slam it your face, try to embarrass you, and you know what, hell yeah baby, give me some more!