League Legend, Elite Scorer, Finals MVP, Rick Barry is also a very loudmouth who has never been unanimous, even within his teams. Asked by Basketball News about the current NBA, he let out a rant.
After having regretted that the players do not give their all before the last 6 minutes, that there are only few altruistic teams, that the defenses are often not at the level, or that the players use their athleticism and not their brains, he said:
“It’s the same game, but it’s not played the same way,” says Barry. “Because there’s a bit more emphasis on 3-point shooting, 1-on-1, and sometimes there’s an abuse of 3-point shooting. Used properly, the 3-point shot is a super weapon. But that shouldn’t be your No. 1 weapon. The Warriors lost a title because they only shot 3-pointers in Game 7 against Cleveland. All of their shots were 3-pointers and they only played on the perimeter. You have to go to the circle, cause free throws, score points. It was one of the worst Game 7s in history and probably the worst last 4 minutes, worst 20-40 seconds in Game 7s in NBA history. A 3-point shot from Kyrie Irving and 1 or 2 shots from LeBron James and that was it, it was horrible.
Before adding:
“Referees have to follow the rules,” Barry said. “We have to stop with these walkers, these porters, these mobile screens. You have to apply the rules because the players will adjust. If you allow them to do all this, they will continue to do it. It’s such an advantage when a guy can carry the ball or take an extra step. It’s ridiculous. Why are you giving them all these benefits? They break the rules. It is pathetic. For me to watch this game, given the way I was taught to play, to see this, what they pass up, is a shame. I’m sorry, it is. It’s an amazing sport, the athletes are amazing and what they can do is amazing. But they could make a murder that they would not be punished. I put the blame on the referees. You have to follow the rules.
He ended by explaining that the old ones would be much better today, because they didn’t have the preparation of the current players, the same resources, the same knowledge of training techniques, dietetics…
“We’d be a lot better than we were back then, plus we know how to play,” Barry said. “We knew how to do a pick & roll correctly (you have to understand: without a mobile screen) and we understood the game. A lot of these players don’t understand the game. They are so talented that they don’t know how to use it correctly and well that some are very good, they would be even better if they knew how to use this incredible gift of god that they have. But they don’t know, because they haven’t been taught properly. »
