A lot has changed in NBA basketball since the last Laker-Celtics Finals in 1987 that has contributed to the sinking popularity of the sport. First and foremost, 2008 NBA basketball is no longer, well, basketball at all. Name one NBA player who could effectively execute the now-famous "crossover dribble" in 1987. Better still, name one NBA referee in 1987 who allowed such a blasphemous mutation of the rules of basketball as the crossover. The rules on "paling," or "carrying" the ball were in place in 1987, and were enforced. Those same rules are in place in 2008, but EVERY player in the league routinely palms and/or carries the ball on every possession. Iverson's killer crossover is an abomination of the rules that has ruined the art of dribbling. Likewise, rules forbidding posting up and creating space for yourself by slamming your big backside into a positioned defender and knocking him back (Shaq, anyone?) have been ignored. The NBA no longer plays basketball. I took a course in college titled "officiating basketball," and my professor, a 30+ year veteran H.S. and NCAA referee told us he cannot watch the NBA or its referees. Bring back that 80s officiating and some rules.

regarding todays lakers and celtics, yawnnnnn
regarding lack of interest in the "sport" today
see your associates article in the disparity regarding rules and officiating .

The NBA's ratings are going down because the NBA is a joke. College basketball is always way more fun to watch, because anyone can win on any given night. Where is the St. Joe's of the NBA? There isn't one, because the NBA doesn't want one. Let get some college refs and get rid of David Stern.