They're Scoring....Is this Legal?

Olde Time nba action on display last night in the Phoenix-Lakers game and boy was it entertaining. PLUS it was a great game. Roughly 60-60 at the half with a final of 130-124. The shooting, and especially the assists were spectacular. I never watch the NBA except for the last five minutes, but this game was a keeper from beginning to end. Games where both teams hit triple digits are no longer common but high scores seem to be back, and perhaps the TV ratings. The NBA sunk to the levels of way too many 72-68 games where it was defense, defense, defense. How did this happen? It happened when Pat Reilley left the run and gun Lakers and went to the near talentless New York Nicks and came up with what is now known as "thug ball," a stifling defense where everybody has five fouls by the final buzzer and nobody cared who got hurt. Bodies were knocked down all over, cheap shots which caused fights and ejections were the order of the day, and if somebody dared to shoot he could count on being viciously fouled. Not last night in Phoenix, nor one can assume in San Francisco where the exciting Warriors beat the Celtics 119-117 with a jumper with one second left. If this is the new NBA the TV ratings will soar. Oh, team play? You bet, and then some.