Like most of you I'm sure, the final leg of the NBA's marathon season's taken a back seat on my TV for a little Madness; the annual open season for wanton basketball and reckless gambling. My roomates and I spent most of the past weekend several blunts deep, multi-screening the tournaments' several games, soaking up as much action as possible, and over the course have endured many a comparison to the NBA game and the ensuing raging argument over which is better.
"There's no team play in the NBA!"
"That's 'cause college players have no skills!"
"Well every game counts! More action!"
"That's 'cause college players aren't fit as many games!"
...aaand on it goes. At least something along those lines. It's a never-ending argument because there are so many fundamental differences between the NCAA and the Association; not only the playoff structure, but the nature of the game in general. There's an endless arsenal of legitimate reasons to side with either, and everybody's got an opinion this time of year. It never stops. So while I'm stuck watching to this year's bracket unfold over constant back-and-forth banter, I might as well speak my mind on why, despite the Tournament's exhilarating sudden-death showdowns, it can't compare to the NBA playoffs.
Not to hate on the college game. Sure the players aren't as skilled. Not only is that to be expected, it promotes a team game; one that relies more heavily on cohesive execution than individual dominance. It's a purer breed of basketball; one with more ball movement and less ego-driven play that dudes like Jay Bilas still swear by. These kids are doing it for the love of the game, getting pimped by the NCAA on a national plateau while they're playing for pride, not a paycheck. It's all about bringing that glory back to campus. The scene at a good university game's pandemonium, even through a TV screen you can feel the intensity of on army of 30, 000 piss-loaded underclassmen decked in school colors and screaming like Dick Vitale on energy pills. Even better than the game itself its playoff bracket; a 64-squad battle royale that forces teams to play their best ball with little room for error over what might be the most intense two weeks on the basketball calendar. You can't have an off night, be over-worked or outsmarted, or you're going home.
The NBA Playoffs are more a more drawn-out, lasting sense of enjoyment; a smooth Stella to the NCAA's shot of Wild Turkey. Don't get me wrong, there's an undeniable appeal to the rush of following ten games in a day, knowing each one means everything; having so much basketball to take in at once... But the NBA Playoffs are a better high; one that lasts two months and gives you the time to truly enjoy it. Not only does a seven-game series allow for teams to develop compelling rivalries that make the games infinitely more engaging but we're not bombarded with too many games to truly sit back and take it all in. It finishes with the ultimate battle for basketball's ultimate prize between its two best teams. As exciting as the Final Four is, the prestige of the NBA Finals is unsurpassed.
And more fundamentally, the NBA features the best players on the planet; the guys who truly dominated the college game and a few of the dudes who were too good for it (...and Eddy Curry). By default, it's a better game; the cream of the college crop who, in most cases, only continue to improve through experience and NBA-level fitness. This produces a more polished product, more captivating performances, more epic duels and longer highlight reels. Its just more simply more exciting.
While I'm admittedly more partial to the pro game, the NCAA Tournament gives me a much needed shot in the arm every March. It's a refreshing breather from the grind of the NBA's 8-month odyssey, a game devoid of the glamour and glitz, but never short on stunning upsets and thrilling conclusions. I'd be a fool not to appreciate the bracket's battles; I'm enjoying the action as much as anyone. But I'm still waiting on April for my real payoff fix.
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