Society has changed and the league has changed with it. Internet and social media have had a huge role in this. They had basketball video games 20 and even 30 years ago, too, but players didn't lose their minds over what their ratings were. Hell, I wonder when the first 5-on-5 licensed game with real teams and players came out, how many NBA players actually knew what video games were. And even though you couldn't see ratings in Lakers versus Celtics and the NBA Playoffs, you knew they were in the game because ****ing Eric Leckner would miss 2 out 3 dunk attempts even if no one was around and Malone wouldn't ever miss, even in traffic. Players are more aware now, more concerned with their legacies, more sensitive to what the media and the fans are saying. The instant gratification era we live on doesn't help, and it's skewing even the perception of past players, let alone current ones. Every internet debate about players seems to end with millennials screaming "raaaangs." Nothing else seems to matter. Look at what happened to Nique's legacy. 25 years ago, he was considering to be an all-time great. Now, his lack of championships or even a Finals appearance means makes him an afterthought. I mean, how in the world did he manage to lose to those stacked Celtics and Pistons team with the great Jon Koncak as the best paid player on his team? He should've whined until they traded him to Houston or Boston or something. Cause, you know, raaangs.
It wasn't like that 20-30 years ago. I don't think Dominique ever thought he was a failure because he never made it past the second round. Players nowadays act as if their careers are 4 years long. Gotta contend at all times, gotta win rings as soon as possible, gotta climb some imaginary ladder of all-time greats. Carmelo kicked and screamed his way out of Denver to find what? Even less success in New York? He was 26 when he forced that trade. Twenty six! George left Indiana to get bounced in the first round and get abused by dude who looks like your alcoholic, party animal roommate from Down Under. Why? Raaaaangs! Heaven forbid you'd spend a decade playing for a non-superteam. There's a sense of entitlement. LeBron has been in win now mode since he was 22. That's how old players used to be when they played their first NBA game. LeBron had to have contenders built around him at that age as if he freaking peaked at 22 and his window was closing. Cavs traded every first round pick they could and signed over the hill veterans because LeBron couldn't just wait a couple of years for them to have cap space or develop youngsters. Raaaangs! Rangs now! What kind of a player doesn't have a championship by the time they're 25? Welcome to the new normal.
