I'll get killed for saying this, and there is no disrespect intended, but MJ changed the game for the worse. He was the first pure scoring, dunk-from-the-foulline superstar. Ever since him, that's what kids think basketball is. So instead of working on the basics that made Larry Bird and Magic Johnson great, they are practicing crazy dunks. This has hurt the gameplay a lot because it's all about the individual now (except for the Spurs, and surprise surprise, they are the dynasty because of their team-oriented play).
Also, the fact that these guys have more money than god doesn't help. If they have so much money and can do whatever they want, why would they listen to a coach try to teach them how to play the game right? They don't, and it's ruining the once-great game.