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The big reason why LeBron James is not placed next to Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain in the Holy Trinity of basketball, for those who have been watching this sport for several decades, is summed up in an enigma that can never be solved: what would have happened if he played in the 90s or even in the 80s?
Beyond all the broken records with which he has built his career, James is a physical wonder, unstoppable in his prime, as they say there in the north of Mexico. He still is from time to time in his mid-forties, with less hair and less showmanship.
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The physique is usually a variable for those who dare to compare stars from different eras. In sports like football, beyond the magic of each person and the number of games played today -not a minor detail to break records of yesteryear- it is clear that in the past being a player could be enough to shine. Today, at least on the other side of the pond, first you are an athlete and then a player, even if it weighs us down.
In addition, it was kicked with more treachery. Ask the Pelé who was crushed in Chile 62 or the Maradona in shorts, with exposed thighs, in Napoli or in Barcelona, full of mud.
In basketball, a collective sport with fewer spotlights and followers, more or less the same thing happens. Teams like the ‘Bad Boys’ of the Detroit Pistons colliding with the Chicago Bulls of Jordan and Pippen would be unimaginable today. Or, well, they’d last a couple of quarters before getting kicked out.
The rules of the NBA are similar to the political constitution of a developing country: they are constantly changing, although with a slogan: privilege the spectacle. The more fouls, the more free throws and, consequently, more points.
Suddenly, a simple contact, a scratch, a touch became a foul. Even in flagrant fault.
Protecting the basketball player became the maxim. A success in some sense. But, what about that other show, vetoed by the organizers, elbowing, pushing and chesting?
Well, fortunately, it has been a few clicks away in that immeasurable video library that is YouTube.
Stephen Curry, the base of the Golden State Warriors, younger by four years than LeBron James, was the one who further distanced the basketball of this new century from the previous one. Owner of a diabolical wrist, he began to score so many triples that his rivals began to mark him not in the paint, but outside the semicircle. He infected others and the rest is known history: today who does not know how to score triples does not exist in the NBA.
from power to power
The NBA final between the Golden State Warriors and the Boston Celtics is one of the most exciting in recent times without fear of falling into the common place.
After the victory of California at the TD Garden by 107 to 97, last Friday, the series was tied at two. The figure? Stephen Curry with 43 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists.
The magic was not only the parabolas of his shots, but the fact that he could be on his feet after he came out screaming in the third game, touching his left ankle.
Al Horford, the 36-year-old Dominican who is competing for NBA glory for the first time, threw himself at him with his 106 kilos in a split, as he had not seen for a long time. Just like his partner Marcus Smart did in mid-March. It is no coincidence: there is a plan to remove him from the game. For a moment the Celtics were Detroit’s ‘Bad Boys’ of the ’80s and ’90s. Little enjoyment. Game 5 will be played today at the Chase Center. We are pleased.
