Alonzo Mourning’s exclusive ESPN interview on the decline of the Big Man in the NBA

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  • Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
  • ▶️Watch every Big Man interview HERE: • The Decline of the Big...
    Alonzo Mourning sits down for an exclusive interview with ESPN about the decline of the Big Man in the NBA.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 655

  • @peterstark4562
    @peterstark4562 5 років тому +669

    So much respect for this guy. Never cared how many times he get posterized he just kept on going up and attempt to block your shot.

    • @manimal9871
      @manimal9871 5 років тому +34

      Peter Stark the Heart of a Lion, Zo was the ultimate Warrior! So relentless

    • @hessunator
      @hessunator 5 років тому +79

      You have to remember that every single time rim protectors like Mourning got posterized, they probably stuffed their opponent's dunk 20 times before that.

    • @skalawitz
      @skalawitz 5 років тому +18

      That's what happens when defense is encoded in your DNA.

    • @terrootti
      @terrootti 5 років тому +15

      @@skalawitz for real! losing a game is way worse than being posterized when you have that mentality.

    • @laconfidential8504
      @laconfidential8504 5 років тому +28

      All the Georgetown guys did that. Mourning, Mutombo, and Ewing never cared at all about being put on a poster because they wanted to contest everything.

  • @Balonious_Crunk
    @Balonious_Crunk 5 років тому +329

    I miss the days of Battling Big Men. Nothing cooler than watching Hakeem and David Robinson or Shaq going at it.

    • @nomooon
      @nomooon 5 років тому +8

      Joel Embiid vs KAT is still pretty cool to watch.

    • @Terror832
      @Terror832 5 років тому +23

      Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning banging and the score would end up like 75-71.
      The good ol days

    • @joelreyes9243
      @joelreyes9243 5 років тому +2

      @@Terror832 georgetown produces good centers... i miss these post up guys

    • @cooper482011
      @cooper482011 5 років тому +8

      Joel Reyes
      I concur. The Big East in the 1980s produced lots of good big men - defensively. Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning, Ed Pinckney, etc

    • @michaelmoorhead762
      @michaelmoorhead762 5 років тому +3

      I think the "decline " of the big power forward and center started with Dirk, he was the first big man that could step out and hit the 3 or long range

  • @xoxo20000
    @xoxo20000 4 роки тому +6

    I met him 2 years ago in publix. He was on his cell phone and I waited for him to finish his call until I asked for a picture. He was really nice. Great guy. Loved watching him play as I grew up.

  • @183hans
    @183hans 5 років тому +86

    He's the man. Alonzo Mourning was my favorite player when I started watching the NBA back in '97. I loved those Heat-Knicks battles back in the 90's. They were epic.

    • @arvinsanolin3110
      @arvinsanolin3110 5 років тому +4

      I have all his jerseys from HORNETS to MIAMI.. a couple draped over my car seats for when I go to work or head out n play ball!!

    • @dawiskid187
      @dawiskid187 5 років тому +2

      Those were hard fought games all bully ball..

    • @laconfidential8504
      @laconfidential8504 5 років тому +5

      Zo fought through a lot with his kidney, really glad he was able to win that championship with Miami in 2006.

    • @mcook-69don
      @mcook-69don 5 років тому +3

      @@arvinsanolin3110 i gave my son my mourning heat jersey. He actually just wore it to school the other day. Most kids didnt even know who he was lol.

    • @Terror832
      @Terror832 5 років тому +2

      Yeah when Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning were banging each other and the score would end up like 75-71.
      Such “beautiful” basketball.

  • @jacobtupua6158
    @jacobtupua6158 5 років тому +19

    I remember Zo had a reliable 3 point shot. He got traded to Miami and Riley wasn't having none of that. Told him to stick to the paint.
    I'm a Knicks fan, but loved the Ewing/Zo battles. Those were great times.

  • @juanherrera2859
    @juanherrera2859 5 років тому +13

    Zo was one of the smallest of the big men. Battled kidney disease while still playing. I remember him coming back to play and his skin was frigging yellow. True warrior, true love for the game.

    • @mrmacross
      @mrmacross 3 роки тому

      Just as long as he got to play for the team he wanted to (e.g. not the 2004-2005 Raptors).

  • @qceaz11
    @qceaz11 5 років тому +59

    This man right here along with Bill Russell, Moses Malone & Ben Wallace paved the way for the under sized centers & they all were defensive beasts its crazy how dominant they would be in this Era although they're small forwards they're height now

    • @dennisthemenace855
      @dennisthemenace855 5 років тому +5

      Alonzo is 6'10 not small actually .

    • @qceaz11
      @qceaz11 5 років тому +14

      @@dennisthemenace855 back in the day that's small compared to Kareem, Shaq, Hakeem, Mutombo, Robinson & Ewing

    • @dennisthemenace855
      @dennisthemenace855 5 років тому +4

      @@qceaz11 Hakeem was only 6'10 big bro

    • @qceaz11
      @qceaz11 5 років тому +1

      @@dennisthemenace855 yeah true he was smaller than the others it was still hard to stop him tho that dream shake was crazy

    • @maggyzakuma8629
      @maggyzakuma8629 5 років тому

      6'10 is legit nba big man height anything under than that is short

  • @siremikesiremike832
    @siremikesiremike832 5 років тому +77

    I'm not excited how the game is going. I can't even watch a full game anymore. Thank God for the 10 minute highlights on UA-cam

    • @johnjones5657
      @johnjones5657 5 років тому +10

      I agree... it's not as entertaining. I have been watching the NBA recently, because of Zion. He's such an rare talent! All the flopping, 3pt shots, and etc... is annoying.

    • @MichaelSmith-or8kt
      @MichaelSmith-or8kt 5 років тому +3

      Agreed. Zion is like you took a great player from the 90s and time traveled him into this soft version of basketball. Just manhandling these guys. I don't mind small ball and jacking 3s from SOME teams. But the NBA should tweak the rules so a variety of strategies could work. So you could win a title led by a Steph OR a Shaq. That would be more interesting.

    • @MichaelSmith-or8kt
      @MichaelSmith-or8kt 5 років тому

      I miss seeing a Dominique Wilkins dunking on 4-5 Milwaukee Bucks at once. Now it's like, "Oh just let him dunk on our one guy so they only get 2 points out of it. Gotta keep those shooters covered!"

    • @jerrycollins-doc9959
      @jerrycollins-doc9959 4 роки тому +1

      even the highlights are boring...its like a video game

    • @popireal3628
      @popireal3628 4 роки тому +2

      I haven't watched a full game of basketball in several years now. It's like cringe moment after crime moment after cringe moment for me. I guess the high scores are good but at times they truly look like an unorganized mess jacking up 3s and not committing on defense.

  • @justdavvn5913
    @justdavvn5913 5 років тому +193

    The 90s was a great era for basketball

    • @n.chervil5832
      @n.chervil5832 5 років тому +4

      With MJ winning all the chips ??? l'd rather chose the Shaq/Duncan/Kobe era

    • @thuaners
      @thuaners 5 років тому +1

      Just DaVVn it really was! so many matches like battles!

    • @docmadhattan
      @docmadhattan 5 років тому +12

      It was the best for everything - basketball, music, video games, movies, culture in general...most things went downhill after.

    • @Terror832
      @Terror832 5 років тому +6

      Every decade of basketball has its highs and lows. Let’s appreciate great basketball when we see it.

    • @MrScott4020
      @MrScott4020 5 років тому +2

      80's was the golden era.

  • @AK-74K
    @AK-74K 5 років тому +198

    Alonzo is not wrong, he had a pretty good jumper, even though he didn't take a lot of 3s, but he would be just fine in today's era

    • @AK-74K
      @AK-74K 5 років тому +8

      @bojo perez Agree, but he would just move back to the 3 point line and shoot from there, he had a sweet stroke, so I am sure he could have been a decent 3 point shooter.

    • @The1tweezy
      @The1tweezy 5 років тому +5

      Alonzo mid range would be ok! Mid range is missing from the game, with exception of KD. Along would avg 25, and 10 easily.

    • @tomincanada
      @tomincanada 5 років тому +4

      He would be fine because he would get all the rebounds and nobody would stop him down low.

    • @bo24.u.98
      @bo24.u.98 5 років тому +2

      He played on the undefeated team in 1990 and brought home to National Championship!!!!!

    • @dumisatonyjohnson8145
      @dumisatonyjohnson8145 5 років тому +4

      And he was a Big East DPOY at Georgetown in 1992
      And he was DPOY in the 2000 season & 1999 lockout season During his prime with Miami
      He was capable of 25 points 11 rebounds and 3 blocks per game on 56% from the field in the 90s with the Hornets 🐝 & Heat 🔥 prior to his kidney ailment in 2000 (he missed two full seasons in 2001 & 2002 because of it)
      He was a pretty good player on offense and defense for a former number two pick by the Hornets 🐝 (1992)
      He'd be pretty good for today's NBA
      I looked at Zo he'd be similar to Anthony Davis or Giannis or possibly a Dwight Howard

  • @RobertDGordon
    @RobertDGordon 5 років тому +187

    You can’t even call these dudes “bigs” anymore, you gotta call em “talls”.
    Everybody wants to be a 2 guard now.

  • @AHealedDevilThatsHeavenBound
    @AHealedDevilThatsHeavenBound 2 роки тому +9

    Alonzo Mourning is my GOAT and all time favorite player. I grew up idolizing him and played just like him. Not too many players played with the heart and passion as Zo did.

    • @TL2354
      @TL2354 Рік тому

      You have some low standards

  • @sayed3520
    @sayed3520 5 років тому +33

    Those guys back then were literally athletic Bodybuilders aka Oakley, Barkley, Zo, Shaq, LJ and even MJ

    • @mik7652
      @mik7652 3 роки тому +4

      Don’t forget Karl Malone

    • @setro5582
      @setro5582 3 роки тому

      @@mik7652 back then, even "smaller guys" are also good at defense

    • @xzcsdf9574
      @xzcsdf9574 2 роки тому +1

      Ben Wallace

  • @jacknapier2852
    @jacknapier2852 3 місяці тому +1

    Watching Zo as a kid motivated me to play basketball !🏀

  • @christschool
    @christschool 5 років тому +8

    He never played for any of my favorite teams either in college or the pro's, but he's one of my all-time favorite players. The man played with a passion and wasn't afraid to mix it up in the middle. Mourning was a warrior. There aren't many warriors left in the NBA.

  • @nero6910
    @nero6910 5 років тому +8

    Always digged Zo's intensity on the court. This guy gave you all he had every night! He was the reason I became a Miami Heat fan.

  • @Mr.Majestic77
    @Mr.Majestic77 5 років тому +52

    Alonzo Mourning & Charles Oakely should be on the Philadelphia 76ers coaching staff.

    • @Wyndamn
      @Wyndamn 5 років тому +9

      That's TOO much toughness for one team, they'd beat up Embid and take Ben Simmons lunch money

    • @dsg3053
      @dsg3053 5 років тому +2

      You're settling. I'd pay Hakeem good money to become part of the 76ers staff. The Houston Rockets don't utilize their bigs outside of P&Rs anyways. Oakley and Alonzo can preach stay in the paint all day but Hakeem was a silent killer and always stayed in great shape and disciplined (fasting helped I'm 100% sure)

    • @carlosrob6494
      @carlosrob6494 5 років тому +1

      @@Wyndamn Yes indeed 😂😂

    • @TheArtOfDean
      @TheArtOfDean 4 роки тому

      @@Wyndamn hahahahaha! Likely true.

  • @Honest15dx
    @Honest15dx 5 років тому +14

    One of my favourite players growing up in the 90s.

  • @EddieTheGentleman
    @EddieTheGentleman 5 років тому +69

    Alonzo Mourning would be a MONSTER today!!!

    • @EddieTheGentleman
      @EddieTheGentleman 5 років тому +5

      @Michael Bonhomme It's only true if they were forced to conform to today's game

    • @77iam97
      @77iam97 5 років тому +2

      Edwin Wallace I agree

    • @pedrodaniel8897
      @pedrodaniel8897 5 років тому

      @Michael Bonhomme hoje não tem defesas

    • @vc2349-0
      @vc2349-0 5 років тому

      @Dominic dominic they are

    • @lyalminchinton8825
      @lyalminchinton8825 5 років тому

      Michael Bonhomme MJ was dropping 33/35 a game with the hand check rule in place.
      Much harder to drive to basket when a defender can push you at the hip or back.
      He would easily average 40+ in today s Nba.

  • @davemora6580
    @davemora6580 5 років тому +35

    By watching these interviews i realized how much dirk changed the game.. As a heat fan I can only respect this guy so much.

    • @alexaadap
      @alexaadap 5 років тому +1

      No, globalization of the NBA has changed this game. On Europe and more specifically the 2 billion Chinese appreciate the 3s then the dunks

  • @elginfraga3201
    @elginfraga3201 5 років тому +4

    90's basketball era is the best.. lot of excitement & lots of good moves inside.. most savage

  • @bachpham1783
    @bachpham1783 5 років тому +8

    This is a great little series. I can't wait for ESPN to do more like these.

  • @shipwreck8341
    @shipwreck8341 5 років тому +143

    *BEN WALLACE* interview: Power Defense. Make it happen.

    • @alfredhitchcock45
      @alfredhitchcock45 5 років тому +1

      undersized big

    • @slight_inconvenience
      @slight_inconvenience 5 років тому +8

      @@alfredhitchcock45 those arms were not undersized, ask Ron Artest

    • @Chrispd2005
      @Chrispd2005 5 років тому +1

      Is Ben Wallace a hall of fame player?

    • @BigDilf3
      @BigDilf3 5 років тому

      mel saint and?

    • @edwined82
      @edwined82 5 років тому

      I would love to see that one im a big Ben Wallace fan and he was only 6'7 to 6'9 250

  • @ValkyrieMagnus
    @ValkyrieMagnus 5 років тому +8

    Alonzo Mourning one of my most favorite players ever!

  • @LiamDH3021
    @LiamDH3021 4 роки тому +2

    Alonzo and Larry Johnson doesn’t get enough love as one of the best big man duo of all time

  • @ARSENIO3234
    @ARSENIO3234 2 роки тому +1

    One of the goats. Never was on my team but always admired him and wish he was on my team. One word: Warrior. May God continue blessing you.

  • @DONTOURAGETV
    @DONTOURAGETV 5 років тому +5

    Alonzo in the 98-99 Season was almost Unstoppable

  • @avebac1
    @avebac1 5 років тому +36

    Big men were literally "big" in the 90s ( Shaq, Malone, Hakeem, Ewing, Mourning, Robinson..) today they mostly tall and skinny

    • @JoeyBaguez
      @JoeyBaguez 5 років тому

      Ted Josiah it’s soy bro

    • @sunshinesunflowerz1647
      @sunshinesunflowerz1647 5 років тому

      Ted Josiah That’s an excuse not to do your work.

    • @Terror832
      @Terror832 5 років тому

      Jokic and Embiid definitely ain’t skinny.
      They’re heavier (but not stronger) than Hakeem, Ewing, and Robinson.
      The game nowadays wants agile big men who could rim run and guard 1-5.

    • @dumisatonyjohnson8145
      @dumisatonyjohnson8145 4 роки тому

      greenmean1
      Bob Lanier-Pistons
      Jack Sikma-Sonics

    • @RafsanS15
      @RafsanS15 4 роки тому

      Charles Barkley as tall as Michael Jordan...

  • @dazedandconfused6965
    @dazedandconfused6965 5 років тому +4

    My favorite defensive player all time. Big Zo!

  • @JoeTheGreat08
    @JoeTheGreat08 5 років тому +227

    The game changed... don’t know if it’s for the better or worse... but it does irritate me when I see Embiid shooting 3’s... he’s too big to be shooting, put him in the paint & punish

    • @norton4692
      @norton4692 5 років тому +8

      He's a fool

    • @deandrepage1048
      @deandrepage1048 5 років тому +5

      Embid does BOTH. 😀😀😀

    • @peterstark4562
      @peterstark4562 5 років тому +11

      He's probably not fond of physical play and scared of getting injured. Hope guys like Montrezl Harrell got his size instead.

    • @phillyjackson45
      @phillyjackson45 5 років тому +10

      He needs to know when to actually shoot threes and post up.

    • @deandrepage1048
      @deandrepage1048 5 років тому +7

      @@phillyjackson45 Embid's #1 weakness is his head coach. 😞😞😞
      Doesn't know how to make an Embid-Simmons duo work.
      Plenty of NBA head coaches that would love to have those 2 together.

  • @spadelane27
    @spadelane27 5 років тому +5

    ZO!!!!!... Good to hear from u big dogg!!

  • @mikeabe4606
    @mikeabe4606 5 років тому +1

    I grew up watching zo doin his thing in the low post. And blocking shots he don't even care if he gets posterized by anybody. He's one the toughest big men in the league and a legend.

  • @JoshuaD.Howard
    @JoshuaD.Howard 5 років тому +12

    These are all great to watch 🔥🔥💯💯

  • @FoVision
    @FoVision 5 років тому +1

    One of my absolute all time favorites. I love that he winced at the now or then question

  • @jamalabdelbaset6635
    @jamalabdelbaset6635 5 років тому +48

    Facts: Without Zo The 2000 Team USA wouldn’t have won Gold.

    • @ohgee1379
      @ohgee1379 5 років тому +14

      Or the heat would not have won championship

    • @CoachDarren
      @CoachDarren 5 років тому +7

      Facts for sure about team USA and the Heat Championship. Shaq was the big name and Wade was without a doubt the reason they won but ZO was major in that Championship series they don't win it without him.

    • @D_-zj4nz
      @D_-zj4nz 5 років тому +8

      Dallas players has said numerous times they were not worried about shaq it was ZO they feared he was everywhere non stop smh

    • @monosodiumglutamate3132
      @monosodiumglutamate3132 5 років тому

      Yeah, they really struggled against the lithuainian team if I'm not mistaken!!!

    • @jamalabdelbaset6635
      @jamalabdelbaset6635 5 років тому

      Monosodium Glutamate France too!

  • @deandrepage1048
    @deandrepage1048 5 років тому +111

    BIGS in this current generation don't want the pain that comes with banging in the paint. 😀😀😀

    • @475818
      @475818 5 років тому +12

      why wouldn't they want it, coaches tell them not to cos it's not a good shot, Jahlil Okafor, great post up player, averaged 20 his rookie year, can't guard on the perimeter, has no other skills offensively, gets no playing time, IF there's a guy who is a great post up player and can guard on the perimeter he will play and will dominate, but now there is no such player

    • @deandrepage1048
      @deandrepage1048 5 років тому +2

      @@475818 It's about coaching. 😀😀😀
      You use Okay as a "Trailing Big" = last teammate down the court & stop at the Top of Key.
      Teach Okafor ball reversal like San Antonio Spurs Motion Offense with the Power Forward in the low post initially.
      Make Okafor practice Catch & Shoot Top of Key 3-pointers everyday in practice. You have Play or on the move, NOT STATIONARY so he can dive to the paint after 2 or 3 passes.

    • @475818
      @475818 5 років тому +2

      @@deandrepage1048 Sure teach him, i'd love to see the kid succeed, but in reality it's not that simple, you don;t think he practices all the time and what about his defense which is very very very poor. Most of the traditional low post big men lack the defense required to play in today's fast paced high pick and role defense

    • @deandrepage1048
      @deandrepage1048 5 років тому +3

      @@475818 I have coached basketball. 😀😀😀
      It takes dedication by the head coach to help Okafor as a player outside the 3-point line, Okafor is already solid in the low post.
      Use 2-3 Zone Defense to protect Okafor.

    • @deandrepage1048
      @deandrepage1048 5 років тому +1

      @@475818 Rome was not built in a day. 😀😀😀
      You start off with those Top of Key 3-pointers because his defender does not want to leave his Rim Protection duties.

  • @mcg1111
    @mcg1111 5 років тому +2

    Zo was ferocious....90s ballers man

  • @lyalminchinton8825
    @lyalminchinton8825 5 років тому +1

    Alonzo was a beast back in the day. Defensive animal. Respect.

  • @kingkang6877
    @kingkang6877 5 років тому +36

    I always wondered why Zo is never doing interviews or coming in on as an analyst. He'd be great!

    • @PharticusMaximus
      @PharticusMaximus 5 років тому +3

      He works for the Heat like many former Heat players. They get jobs within the team and are there with the team, no time to be an analyst or anything.

    • @private1572
      @private1572 5 років тому

      He’s not an analyst because like most pro athletes, he’s not a very good speaker. He looks like he’s struggling to get the words out and he has poor grammar. Uh, um, yeah, you know.

    • @fwc9500
      @fwc9500 5 років тому

      @@private1572 A little slow in his response but I don't think he has bad grammar, seems more so age-related.

  • @NewWorldRob
    @NewWorldRob 5 років тому +3

    Respectable words from The man Big ZO himself 💯💥🏀

  • @percytimberlake8399
    @percytimberlake8399 5 років тому +1

    I remember watching Zo try out for the Olympic team in the summer of ‘88 after graduating from high school that year!!!
    He held his own too & I was rooting for him.
    I knew he was gonna be a special player in college & the pros.

  • @tingokuman
    @tingokuman 5 років тому +2

    Alonzo Morning was the original black superman.......Imagine guarding this guy Prime Shaq and Wade. They gotta ring that year.

  • @jarjeesdr2734
    @jarjeesdr2734 5 років тому +4

    my favorite player of all time

  • @reginaldmassey3272
    @reginaldmassey3272 5 років тому +44

    There was a time when I watched regular season games, not anymore, and watching playoffs isn't easy either, sick of everyone shooting threes.

    • @LuckyC555
      @LuckyC555 5 років тому +2

      Reginald Massey facts.

    • @goldenpuppymusic141
      @goldenpuppymusic141 5 років тому +2

      The threes wouldn’t be so bad if the referee didn’t call a foul anytime a defender gets close to the player

    • @nicford1486
      @nicford1486 5 років тому

      Amen!

    • @joemartin1253
      @joemartin1253 5 років тому +2

      Exactly no more well run offenses anymore!

    • @MichaelSmith-or8kt
      @MichaelSmith-or8kt 5 років тому +1

      New rule: Only 2 FTs if you get fouled on a 3. D those punks up! Also maybe narrow the lane a bit to revive the traditional big man.

  • @seanbrowning616
    @seanbrowning616 3 роки тому +2

    Alonzo mourning was the greatest defensive player I ever saw

  • @thehawk5141
    @thehawk5141 5 років тому +30

    Why don’t anyone admit that the NBA changed the rules to implement the high scoring, perimeter based game we see today. They basically got rid of defense and physical play.

    • @ibzanarroyo704
      @ibzanarroyo704 5 років тому +4

      The nba didnt change anything, it was Steph just jacking 3s game after game so when he made many cause of those constant 3s, many decided to follow. Follow stephs career closely and see how he sucked when he came into the nba then when he did that, all of sudden he improved.

    • @1CHOZN7
      @1CHOZN7 5 років тому +1

      Facts

    • @1CHOZN7
      @1CHOZN7 5 років тому +4

      @@ibzanarroyo704 no the nba changed the rules to develop players like steph. Players not born shooting 3s in their mothers womb. It has to be taught by coaches like myself based on the demands of the game. It's all marketing

    • @mrmacross
      @mrmacross 3 роки тому +1

      @@1CHOZN7 Agreed. We saw a handful of years where rules were changed to ban physicality, and as a result scoring jumped way up. It happened after the Pistons won in 2004. Then it happened again after the Warriors lost in 2016. Then the NBA said why stop now, and they put even more freedom of movement rules in place.
      Part of the reason Steph can run as wild and free as he can is that defenders have to be more hands off. Give credit to Steph for making those shots, but when offensive efficiency jumps by 5 points/100 possessions from one season to the next, you know the league is tampering with the rule book.

  • @mott0mottO
    @mott0mottO 5 років тому +1

    Mr. Mourning was that dude you didn't wanna get hammer by because he do it regardless when you drove to the basket. Undersized at center but solid fundamentals, athleticism, not to mention muscles on every inch of his 6-10 frame to be one of the most intimidating giants of the 90's era. I was 9 when i got introduced to basketball and Alonzo became my favorite player growing up. I'm happy he got his championship ring because he literally worked hard every day, even when he was forced to retired from the game in early 2000's.

  • @averyce2
    @averyce2 5 років тому +1

    One word sums up Alonzo Mourning - BEAST!!

  • @ricardomayorga9352
    @ricardomayorga9352 5 років тому +4

    I used to have a picture on my wall of him blocking Antonio McDyess on a dunk attempt. It was one of my favorite images. This is when McDyess had 2 healthy knees and a 48 inch vertical. The man had no fear.

    • @rachaad
      @rachaad 5 років тому +2

      Mcdyess was a rare species before those knee injury ..Man

  • @1stMarDiv4341
    @1stMarDiv4341 5 років тому

    I was born in 1983 and am fortunate to have grown up during the golden age of NBA basketball. I used to subscribe to SLAM magazine, and during middle school the walls in my bedroom were covered with posters of everyone from Mourning and Ewing to Iverson and Bryant. While the flashy players were fun to watch, what appealed to me most about the game was the chess matches in the paint and the overall physicality of the game (my all-time favorite team is the Detroit Pistons, namely the Bad Boy era squad).
    What's more, there were so many big personalities in the game; even mid-level guys like Bill Laimbeer and Charles Oakley had larger-than-life personas and made the game a blast to watch. Gary Payton's trash talking was hilarious, and watching Michael Jordan get inside the heads of his opponents was classic psychological warfare. And then there was Charles Barkeyl....god, I love that guy. I miss that time in my life, I really do.
    Overall, I'm still a fan of the game but can't deny it's just not as fun anymore. There's an inescapable blandness to it, and I feel like too many players are more concerned with their social media presence and endorsement deals than actually having a personality.

  • @tbus809
    @tbus809 5 років тому +2

    Zo is another one of my favorite players of all times. Loved his physicality, and he's right the 90's to me also was the best and exciting times in the NBA. Now if the players decided to combine both era's it would be even better. Big men need to dominate downlow!!!.

  • @mcgiannak
    @mcgiannak 5 років тому +3

    what a great center, what a great fighter

  • @77iam97
    @77iam97 5 років тому +5

    Zo was dynamite back n the day one of my favourite’s

  • @carlosrob6494
    @carlosrob6494 5 років тому +1

    peace; One of the best big man ever. Salute Mo!! VA standup

  • @anthonyp7051
    @anthonyp7051 5 років тому +1

    Agreed and to add,zo was very exciting to watch

  • @kongstrong1938
    @kongstrong1938 5 років тому +1

    90s best centers. 1. Hakeem 2. Ewing 3. Shaq 4. Robinson 5. Zo 6. Mutumbo 7. Smitz 8. Seikaly 9. Eaton 10. Daugherty. Can you even name 10 centers today?

  • @tommythunder99
    @tommythunder99 3 роки тому +2

    Zo, you were always one of my favourite players. I just loved the way you guys played during the nineties/early 00’s. I can’t watch today’s NBA because of the lack of defense and the softness of those gucci wearing players. Ratings have never been this bad. NBA lacks character.

  • @crazyaboutboxing9385
    @crazyaboutboxing9385 4 роки тому +4

    😳 those were the days , big men all battling Each other and don’t dare come to basket. Ewing, Smits, Mourning,Robinson.,Olajuwon,Shaq just to name a few. Those were real NBA Centers ..

  • @cantgetright4620
    @cantgetright4620 5 років тому +1

    Spurs fan here
    Mad respect to Zo

  • @joeldelossantoa9179
    @joeldelossantoa9179 5 років тому +2

    My idol Zo!yeah!if youre a center and 7ft behemoth you should be inside the paint banging,blocking,doing everything to defend that paint!not shooting f@ck 3s..and Zo is just 6,10.whew!

  • @danboltmaker5705
    @danboltmaker5705 3 роки тому +1

    I will never forget the young potential that the Charlotte Hornets had with Zo, grandmama, Rex Chapman, and Muggsy Bogues. Unfortunately it never panned out. Contract disputes broke the team up. Larry had a back injury so his numbers declined. Zo was really the only one that developed into superstar status. Still though I can remember playing with them on NBA Jam and thinking that in a few years nobody will be able to beat this team. It reminds me of some of the other "bests that never happened" such as the Warriors with C Webb, Mullen, spreewell, and Hardaway.

  • @andytan911
    @andytan911 5 років тому +5

    This man was a warrior, under sized center and yet could hold up against any 7 footers.
    His career would have been even more impressive had it not been his illness.

    • @josevasquez4080
      @josevasquez4080 Рік тому

      Some of these players were overlisted Shaq wasn’t 7’1 but more like 6’11 or 7’0 Akeem was barely 6’10 Alonzo mourning 6’8 or 6’9. Alonzo mourning wasn’t that undersized he had a 7’6 wingspan and was jacked that like saying Dwight is undersized

  • @lawrencekin02
    @lawrencekin02 5 років тому +1

    Zo is the epitome of tough as nails big man back in the day. There's not a player like him in the NBA anymore..

  • @joewizuber415
    @joewizuber415 Рік тому +1

    legend top 10

  • @dejabu24
    @dejabu24 5 років тому +2

    Alonzo was great player amazing talent

  • @juanreyesjr580
    @juanreyesjr580 5 років тому +3

    I felt before ZO had the kidney problem he was on the verge of becoming the number 1 big man in the league! Shaq couldn’t shoot D Robinson wasn’t as tough as him and the other great ones The Dream, Pat Ewing were on there way out. ZO could do it all and right at that time was becoming a better shooter from mid range. As a Knick fan I say this he was legit

  • @Death-jl1cv
    @Death-jl1cv 5 років тому +22

    Dirk was a post up player.
    If y’all ain’t playing like KD & Giannis, y’all better get in the post.

  • @GeeCoach35
    @GeeCoach35 5 років тому +1

    I loved Zo as a player. Tenacious

  • @eihctirpennyhardaway3999
    @eihctirpennyhardaway3999 4 роки тому +1

    Look at the wing span of zo.. tremendous length no doubt for a shot blocker!

  • @oliverlacey3765
    @oliverlacey3765 5 років тому +1

    MY ALL TIME FAVORITE NBA PLAYER!!!! BIG ZO!!!!!

  • @kevinboyce3035
    @kevinboyce3035 5 років тому +1

    Bill Lamibeer was the first 5 that I saw who shot 3’s regularly, they won back to back championships playing that way...pulling the opposing 5 out of the paint

  • @pacfab1433
    @pacfab1433 5 років тому +1

    My top defender Alonzo n big Ben my top too

  • @Rorschach771
    @Rorschach771 5 років тому +1

    I always love to see big guys, PFs and Cs battling it inside the paint...from a powerful dunk to a subtle but efficient low post moves. Seeing 7ftrs shoot 3s, I'm still kinda getting used to it.

  • @tedtimons7239
    @tedtimons7239 5 років тому +6

    Old school is the best

  • @pete3198
    @pete3198 5 років тому +2

    A lot of people forget, aside from Shaq most of the great bigs from the 90s actually had pretty capable jump shots. Ewing was known as one of the best jumpshooting bigs of his era. Hakeem and Robinson were both excellent shooters from midrange. Mourning could make the mid-range jumper. Duncan and KG both were excellent jumpshooters.
    People speak as of those guys couldnt exist today because they didnt shoot threes - but they were all capable jump shooters who COULD have made the three if they were encouraged to take it, they just weren't. In those days it was frowned upon for big men to shoot threes because the whole idea was do take advantage of your size and power advantage, and the best place to do that is in the paint. The main reason for having that midrange jumper was that guys couldn't just clog the lane -if they gave you too much distance you could make the 17 footer.
    I agree with a lot of these "old school" players. Just because big men can make an open three, doesn't mean they should besp[ending 70% of their time standing out on the perimeter. People believe todays style has made the traditional big man useless, but the opposite is true. With teams going smaller almost across the board, the next truly skilled and dominate big man who stands his ground and plays in the post will average 30, becuase none of these 6'8" centers on today's teams will be able to guard him. Teams will need to throw double and tirple teams at him, and that will just lead to open jumpers for teammates.
    The once 2 or 3 of thos guys come along and start dominating everybody, the league will realise that having undersized bigs isnt going to work, and people will start looking for proper big men who can guard these dominant forces. And then before you know it every team out there is going to be looking for physical 7 footers with post skills.

    • @Helloyapfammily
      @Helloyapfammily 5 років тому

      90s basketball is like chess...yall have important positions.

  • @jetsteeltherealdeal7827
    @jetsteeltherealdeal7827 5 років тому +1

    Alonzo vs Rodman was epic

  • @seanbrowning616
    @seanbrowning616 3 роки тому +1

    I remember when Alonzo mourning and Shaq and Ben Wallace would duel it out

  • @jargonaut8956
    @jargonaut8956 5 років тому

    When I played in the 90’s/early 2000’s I was an undersized forward (6’3”). I lifted weights religiously and had great endurance from jogging. My game was influenced by: Moses Malone, Karl Malone, Charles Oakley, Charles Barkley, Dennis Rodman and Hakeem. I never shot threes till later, but had a reliable midrange. I loved shutting down the bigger guys and tearing down 20 + rebounds in traffic. Nothing fancy, jump hooks in the paint and baseline fades. Kids are soft now and I’d control the game with 40+ rebounds and getting everyone in foul trouble down low.

  • @Midori_Ringo
    @Midori_Ringo 4 роки тому +1

    He'd still be DPOY contender every year. I actually think he'd be more successful now than in the late 90's when he was in his prime. Probably more so than Shaq simply because he was a lot better defensively on the perimeter. That's no knock on Shaq it's just Zo was just a ridiculous defender in his prime. Zo, Hakeem and David Robinson are the guys who I feel would've been even more successful in todays game, than in the era they played in. Embiid is possibly the closest thing we have to a traditional Centre today and he's a wrecking ball when healthy. And you watch all those guys and you can see how well their skills translate

  • @tzc83
    @tzc83 5 років тому +30

    "The way games are called nowadays would Limite me on my aggressiveness on my opponents" lol yep, league gone soft.

    • @MrSmitty1074
      @MrSmitty1074 5 років тому

      I agree!

    • @dickcnormous4202
      @dickcnormous4202 5 років тому

      Hockey is the same way, no hitting, no fire , no hatred of the opponent , no way near as exciting as the 90s.

  • @jonathanpeterson1984
    @jonathanpeterson1984 3 роки тому +2

    Ewing, the dream, the admiral, man of steel,Mt. mutombo, ZO, big fundamental. Even Rick smits 😂, a bygone era. With WAY better nicknames 👌

  • @sandsPBAStars
    @sandsPBAStars 5 років тому

    Speed, pace and high octane defense are the hallmarks of the modern NBA. But I’d always appreciated the toughness and roughness of the era of Big Men. Nothing beats NBA in the 80’s and 90’s.

  • @404TRUCKERTV
    @404TRUCKERTV 2 роки тому

    Aye sup Alonzo, I got your upper deck card in my collection. Bless you bro!

  • @ezio_Winchester
    @ezio_Winchester 3 роки тому

    My favorite growing up in Michigan was Ben wallace. Might not have been the most dominant scorer but he was a beast defensively

  • @lyalminchinton8825
    @lyalminchinton8825 5 років тому +1

    If your not aware of how good this guy was , check out his highlights. Came to play every night , never quite.

  • @johnnybgoode4778
    @johnnybgoode4778 5 років тому +4

    OG 🐐

  • @roboninja3194
    @roboninja3194 5 років тому +30

    Love Zo. Man was a beast. But every one of these guys being interviewed for the decline of the big man has mentioned Dirk. Dirk actually changed the NBA. Not many players can say they did that.

    • @basketballfanatic79
      @basketballfanatic79 5 років тому +3

      Dirk is better but he's not the first guy to be a prodimantly shooter at 6'10-7ft it was Jack Sickma...he wasn't as good but obviously but that was his game...Bill Laimbeer came after him

    • @TheIcemanthomas
      @TheIcemanthomas 5 років тому

      Lil V he was one of the first but he didn’t have the same impact. Dirks success directly impacted the euro style of play being so prominent in the game. Him and Kg set the tone for the next 2 generations of perimeter oriented bigs.

    • @MrZahsome
      @MrZahsome 5 років тому +1

      Dirk's impact is underrated for sure.

  • @keyturner...
    @keyturner... 5 років тому

    97 Bulls vs Heat...good stuff back then. Alonzo was definitely a true enforcer and the last of a breed.

  • @equilibrium_69
    @equilibrium_69 4 роки тому +1

    I think the amount of physicality late 90's to early 2000's was the best balance between fluidity of offense and pressure defense.
    The game is so soft and unexciting now. Just a shoot out with no defense now.

  • @FuShengAlex
    @FuShengAlex 5 років тому

    1992-96....the greatest 4 year stretch of Center play in NBA history. And Zo was a part of that. It was so great he was about the 5th best Center those years and couldnt even make an all NBA team. He'd be top 3 for sure today
    The 93-94 & 94-95 seasons were the only 2 seasons in NBA history where the top 3 leading regular season scorers were Centers. That will absolutely NEVER happen again, I have a better chance of winning the national lottery....twice lol.

  • @topspinaurelius
    @topspinaurelius 5 років тому

    Haha anyone notice how much he start blinking once he had to talk how nice the game is evolving and silver doing a great job!? Prop to Zo, the man can’t lie

  • @jojiezappy2
    @jojiezappy2 5 років тому

    The centers today who have a low post game but can also hit it from the outside are harder to defend than the traditional centers of old who only rely on their inside game. That we actually have these stretch fives today is actually an improvement of how basketball is played. It's all good

  • @ExistentHope
    @ExistentHope 4 роки тому +1

    I think the best of the NBA was 1980-2006 those 26 years.

  • @viaromabandit5051
    @viaromabandit5051 5 років тому

    Big Up Zo 90s forever 💪🏾

  • @christopherperkins8031
    @christopherperkins8031 5 років тому

    Thank you 33 Farve, Mourning, and Griffey

  • @dJ.kNiGhT23
    @dJ.kNiGhT23 5 років тому

    Old Sckool style will never die I'm old Sckool as well and I keep the old Sckool music going 😎

  • @digitalgravity3563
    @digitalgravity3563 5 років тому

    Grew up watching classic hardwood and I really miss those types of bigs but I get it because of how the game changed but what really upsetting and disappointing are players that cared more about their reputation not getting dunked on or ankles getting broken so they just give up and not challenge the offensive player.

  • @hervedavidh4117
    @hervedavidh4117 5 років тому +1

    ZO ... I love this guy!

  • @boombooga
    @boombooga 4 роки тому +1

    Legit bigman 2x DPY Shot blocker

  • @kingdavid2624
    @kingdavid2624 5 років тому +30

    The nba is soft & unwatchable now to many threes being shot everyone is friends no rivalries no grit big men don't post up anymore just dribble dribble 3pointers all game

    • @MichaelSmith-or8kt
      @MichaelSmith-or8kt 5 років тому +1

      Can't argue, Roland. I can watch guys shoot long jump shots at the YMCA. So why pay to go see 2 teams jack up 70-80 threes? I don't blame teams for doing what works analytically under the current rules, but it's not much fun.