I don't know if this is true for everybody, but the reason I got hooked on basketball (both playing and watching) was because I enjoyed seeing this one player ball. I was around 13-14 when I saw Orlando McGrady eating Jordan's Washington Wizards alive. Effortlessly getting by defenders and rising up for his fadeaways, he just made the game look beautiful. I started playing competitively soon afterwards, and all the moves I had came from t-mac. A pull up jumpshot that was set up by a little stutter move with a left hand dribble, a spin move fadeaway, and the step back jumper were basically all the moves I did. It took awhile for me to get good enough to use his other moves (I still can't pull them all off, obviously). Point is, he got me playing ball and watching it religiously. I liked it fair enough when I would see my friends and family watching Jordan, but watching mcgrady just ignited an obsession. What about you guys? It might be a friend, a family member, or an NBA player like in my case. Enlighten us.
I watched the NBA and Rockets basketball before, but McGrady got me hooked. His length, quickness, handles, shooting....everything he did with a basketball made me want to be like him on the court.
These guys were the most fun to watch when they played each other. Also got me sucked into watching the NBA back in the early 90's. These guys actually tried to win, unlike players today.
tmac. one day i was surfing threw the channelels all board when i saw tmac doing all these great dunks but cant remember when or what game
At first Dream. I lost interest for awhile after he retired. Then I came across a game in about 2005. I was in awe at T-Mac's ability to take over a game; really, when he was on, there was no bad shot for him. I also loved the veteran core of Barry and Sura and Wesley, guys toward the end of their careers who clearly loved the game and had exactly the right attitude.
Sadly T-mac. Growing up he was my favorite basketball player and Michael Vick was my favorite football player. *Sigh*
when it comes to names, it doesn't get much better than Moses Malone! You'd be hard pressed to find a better stage name than that. It's kind of odd that I'm not seeing as many hakeem/Moses/sampson mentions. I know I'm going to see a Vernon Maxwell reference eventually though!
olajuwon in the late 80's. but also as a youngster having players with names like world b free and sleepy floyd definitely added to the interest. i gotta say, as an adult, watching iverson do his thing in 2001 got me obsessed with pro ball.
