New Age of Basketball: The AAU Influence (plus extra)

Anyone who has engaged in any kind of basketball debate regarding the state of basketball (NBA mostly) has heard this phrase on more than one occasion:

"Basketball just isn't how it used to be, players are too friendly."

AND

"Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson would team up with another star to get a ring."

Okay, let me address the first quote. Alright, as factual as that statement may be...I don't see how that is a knock on the league. What these grumpy old men don't realize is the affect of the AAU influence on our generation. Back when Jordan was playing, in those days AAU wasn't as big as it is now. Nowadays, the guys you play against you've grown up with and also been on teams in one game or another with. So naturally, with basketball being a fraternity, you become friends with those guys. Which is the main reason there aren't the bloody battles like back in the day. Which wasn't good for the game anyway. Get over it. Ya'll mean to tell me that if you had a chance to go play with one of your best friends (i.e. Lebron and Wade), you wouldn't?!

Man....you're buggin'....I'mma go have fun and win this 'chip with my boy.

Alright so the second quote, which is stupid to me. With the exception of Jordan, them fools didn't have to leave! Magic and Bird were drafted to teams with several Hall of Famers on their team already. Why would Magic need to leave when he's got Kareem, Worthy, Cooper and them ALREADY? Yea....chill. Bird had McHale, Parrish, and Dennis Johnson and Bill Walton. Even in more recent times, Kobe Bryant...drafted to LA then they got Shaq...leave for what? Tim Duncan drafted to Spurs who have the Admiral....once again, leave for what?!

Now, a little history lesson real quick. Kareem left the Milwaukee Bucks to go play with the Lakers....they don't say much about that one. Oscar Robertson started in Cincinnati, left to go play with Kareem in Milwaukee. Even Wilt the Stilt, he started out in Philadelphia, then teamed up with Jerry West and Elgin Baylor. So lets don't act like this doesn't happen. Also, lets keep it 100, Boston started the trend when they won a title with their manufactured team.

Chill.

Peace.