I just think the players need work. Seriously, it seems like there are no guys who you root for anymore, not the guys who everyone knows anymore. There used to be Jordan, Barkley, Ewing, Robinson, Olajuwon, Magic, Bird, etc etc etc...
A lot of guys who everyone knows, now, there's what? Kobe, LeBron.... KG? TD? Allen Iverson was one. Who else is there though? I don't know, it just seemed like the talent was spread out more too. As great as the Chicago Bulls were in the 90's, they always had fights from the Knicks, Pacers, Pistons, and with whoever they played in the Finals. The game was just better, for a lot of reasons.