Things Were Always Better in [Whomever's] Day

Recently, Rasheed Wallace--4X All Star, 1X Champion, 0X DPOY--appeared on the Jump. He did his best to minimize the Dub's historic--and nearly perfect--post-season, their Anni Mirabili since Kerr took over, their place in the pantheon of great teams.

He declared, and many YT commenters agreed, that his Championship Pistons could have taken the Warriors. In fact, of all the aging pseudo-stars dragged off their La-Z-Boys by the Jump, by TNT, or by ESPN to "opine" about just how great this Warrior's run has been, only one has given it anything like it's appropriate due: Big Shot Bob was almost effusive in his praise of the team.

But the rest, seeking some scrap of relevance, continue to insult and belittle. Could the Dubs beat the 95-96 Bulls or the 2000-2001 Lakers? No! They couldn't even get past the 2003-4 Pistons! Or the 2010-2011 Mavs! Hell, the 2013-2014 Spurs would have swept them...but so would the 2013-2014 Heat (who got swept by said Spurs.)

And all of these teams faced far more difficult roads to the Chip (the Warriors only ever face injured teams), so comparing records is misleading. Competition was tougher, so comparing All-Stars is ridiculous. Defenses were tighter, so the Dubs' historically great offensive performance just wouldn't have happened...while at the same time, offenses were sharper, so the Dubs' best/2nd best defensive performance wouldn't have happened either.

I have two messages to these grumbling old dogs, these aging boy wonders who want more than anything, who ache in every cell of their body, to play again (and for a team like the Warriors, please God, not a team like the current Nets...) Who do not recognize that the game has changed. Who fail to see the historic greatness of players like Curry and Durant because they don't fit the stereotypical mold a la Ewing, or James, or Shaq, or MJ.... And most of all because they don't act like them. They play with joy, not scowls. They win with joy, not mean-mugging and trash-talking (save DPOYmond Green, perhaps, and D. West...)

So, two things to say to these grouchy old f**ks who get trotted out once per year at Finals to say how much better ball was in their day..

The first is this. Are you fans of basketball, or just retired players? If you're the latter, no prob! Go play golf. Go manage whatever's left of the obscene money you made in the NBA. If you're the former...then being anything but fair, honest, objective and respectful of accomplishment makes you look like a bitch.

The second message is this: get the hell, off my lawn, you grumbling old farts, until you are prepared to appreciate the historic greatness the Warriors have given you...free of charge, except perhaps to your pride as players.