Former NBA guard Allan Houston last laced them up twenty years ago but has since had a front row seat to see how the NBA has evolved.
Houston is now a New York Knicks executive serving as the organization’s G league manager. During his press conference with Arizona State students he was peppered with questions regarding the current state of the league he played 12 seasons in during the early 90s and the mid 2000’s.
The two time NBA All-Star is familiar with what it takes to become an All-Star but as for the All-Star game itself, it’s a totally different ball game than what he experienced.
When Houston played in the All-Star game in 2000 and 2001 it meant something more than just an exhibition game.
“You work all your life to play in that game,” Houston said.
In the NBA All-Star game 25 years ago players like Houston wore their teams jerseys and played with a sense of team pride. Unfortunately today, that is not the case.
The All-Star game today has turned into a form of entertainment where players no longer represent that pride and instead play for the name on the back of their jersey.
The competitive All-Star games that Houston played in are extinct and that’s just one example of the new landscape of the NBA.
Houston also fielded questions regarding “load management,” a term that former NBA iron men like A.C. Green, who played in 1,192 consecutive games would scoff at.
Houston acknowledged the advice and guidance NBA players have at their fingertips informing them if their body is healthy is a reason why load management has become common. Load management culture is a far cry from his playing days.
“I prided myself on being available,” Houston said.
Houston would tell you himself how blessed he was to play a dozen years in the NBA when the average career lasts just four and a half years.
“It’s a short window and you maximize the window you have,” Houston said.
The reality is the hard-nose, grit and grind NBA culture that Houston played in is gone for good.
The Times Have Changed
Former NBA guard Allan Houston last laced them up twenty years ago but has since had a front row seat to see how the NBA has evolved.
Houston is now a New York Knicks executive serving as the organization’s G league manager. During his press conference with Arizona State students he was peppered with questions regarding the current state of the league he played 12 seasons in during the early 90s and the mid 2000’s.
The two time NBA All-Star is familiar with what it takes to become an All-Star but as for the All-Star game itself, it’s a totally different ball game than what he experienced.
When Houston played in the All-Star game in 2000 and 2001 it meant something more than just an exhibition game.
“You work all your life to play in that game,” Houston said.
In the NBA All-Star game 25 years ago players like Houston wore their teams jerseys and played with a sense of team pride. Unfortunately today, that is not the case.
The All-Star game today has turned into a form of entertainment where players no longer represent that pride and instead play for the name on the back of their jersey.
The competitive All-Star games that Houston played in are extinct and that’s just one example of the new landscape of the NBA.
Houston also fielded questions regarding “load management,” a term that former NBA iron men like A.C. Green, who played in 1,192 consecutive games would scoff at.
Houston acknowledged the advice and guidance NBA players have at their fingertips informing them if their body is healthy is a reason why load management has become common. Load management culture is a far cry from his playing days.
“I prided myself on being available,” Houston said.
Houston would tell you himself how blessed he was to play a dozen years in the NBA when the average career lasts just four and a half years.
“It’s a short window and you maximize the window you have,” Houston said.
The reality is the hard-nose, grit and grind NBA culture that Houston played in is gone for good.
Derek Rivera