Its not our NBA anymore

Dallas's 36-point thrashing of the Lakers in Game 4 completed a stunning four-game sweep of the Lakers. Many said Dallas was a bad matchup and with the seven footers to matchup with LA's height and the Rubix Cube that is Dirk Nowitzki. Even with 3-0 lead for Dallas, i still held out "hope" that LA still had that swagger to make a run out of it. A barrage of Dallas 3's in 2nd quarter quickly snuffed that out. Combined with Memphis 4-2 beating of the Spurs, the changing of the guard in the NBA is fully upon us. In the playoff preview, i picked Miami in Boston over 5 mostly because of the overwhelming athleticism of James, Wade, and Joel Anthony on the interior (yes i forgot Bosh, because he is forgettable).  The Celtics, Lakers, Spurs are a now a thing of the past as constiuted. The league has become a league of athleticism, quickness, and speed. The Hawks have evened the series with the Bulls because they have three athletic mismatches with J-Smooth, JJ2, and Jeff Teague. Nothing to do with better coaching and certainly nothing to do with the Hawks style of play which is erratic at best.  Lakers were swept because they could do nothing with JJ Berea, Jason Kidd, and Jason Terry in pick and roll and transition. Lakers were too slow of foot on both ends of the floor and couldn't defend the dribble drive and kick. Grizzlies defeated Spurs and could beat Thunder is because of their ability to run the floor and use their strength.

With new rules legislating  hand and arm use on defense, the evolution of athletes, teams can't just "run their system" and win games. There is still room for The Triangle (LA), the second round steal (Spurs), and veteran toughness (Celtics) but when it comes down to it, the future of the NBA is a league that is getting younger and younger. Derrick Rose at 22 is the MVP. Durant, Westbrook, Howard, James, Rondo are all 26 and under. The pace of the game is faster, the athletes are better and while your veteran stars are still capable of "flashbacks", it doesn't happen as often. 5 years ago, Kobe would have eaten alive Jarrett Jack or  an old Jason Kidd but his body just wont allow it. KG is as capbable of going for  7pts and 8 reb as he is 26 and 14.

As a fan, its great to see the league with so many good young players and change is good but there is a certain adjustment now to watching the turnover in talent.