The modern NBA is a lot in skill, athleticism and shooting, but debate 20 years ago about whether the product is more interesting is raging.
In the 2000s and early 1990s, we often look back in rosy glasses with fans who remember the more physical brand of basketball and find ourselves missing today’s three-point shooting.
Ron, one of the stars of that era, was not impressed by one aspect of the 2024-25 NBA playoffs.
Newly crowned NBA sixth man of the year, Payton Pritchard continues to play a key role for the Boston Celtics in the ongoing playoff series with the Orlando Magic.
Following Magic’s deficit closing game 3 victory, a clip has been posted to X showing Payton Pritchard appears to be committing a terrible trip.
In the clip, Pritchard dribbled into paint, temporarily holding the ball in and holding it with both hands before rebooting to get a layup towards the basket.
Metta World Peace expressed his view very clearly, saying, “The reference should correct this. This is not legal.”
He was responding to a post in which the original poster asked, “What are you traveling in the NBA?”
The referee takes a more relaxed approach in the playoffs in that he is not punished for several fouls. And sometimes this can be extended to other rules violations.
This example of unenforced travel rules is symptomatic, but it is not limited to Payton Pritchard or the Boston Celtics. The entire league season.
The Celtics complained in the series about their physical, rough plays from magic, both Jason Tatum and Christaps Porzingis.