Quote:
Originally Posted by ajsmith365
I don't have an issue with a 10' rim. The game has evolved since it's inception and management and players are realizing the benefits of genetics as an element of the game. Hypothetically, if you raise the rim to 11' and let's say the average player height goes down to 4'7'', then what? Do you continually adjust the game specifications to accomodate generalities? What if players get fatter or more players come into the league with asthma? Do we shorten the field of play?
It's similar to football, linebackers and linemen have gotten significantly faster than they were in the game's inception, and the gamespeed has improved, overall (even though it has been more sissified). Do you lengthen the field from 100 yards long and 50 yards wide to 200 yards long and 100 yards wide to account for speed?
I think fundamentals within basketball will definitely come back as everything is cyclical. As you can see, more and more foreign players are entering the NBA and fewer U.S. college recruits, and you can see the difference in fundamental skills. However, you must admit the 6'6'' players make the game exciting and that is why the league and players are able to enjoy a spike in television and endorsement deals.
|
The football analogy doesn't work.
Players today aren't any faster than they were 100 years ago. They may be bigger and stronger but in terms of their skills vs. the geometric and physics based dimensions of the game, not much has changed. In essence, in football, the player is playing less against the game boundaries and regulations than he is against other players.
Make the field 200 yards (and commensurately 5 yards for every 1st down) and it won't be any harder to score. Game scores will decrease not because it's harder to score but because it simply takes more time to score.
This doesn't hold in basketball. In basketball, the physical dimensions and regulations of the game are much more of a constraint on the player.
Did you ever play on 8' or 9' rims? The game becomes that much easier.
Shooting is easier. Layups are easier. Tougher shots are easier.
Take stock car racing for instance. Most races were originally under 250 miles. Now they're almost all 500 miles simply because the cars go faster. Keeping it at 250 miles when the cars went from barely topping 150 mp/h to consistently near 200 mp/h (with speed) restrictions would have been a joke.
Same goes for basketball. I understand why they keep it at 10' because the game is simply much more entertaining. If the rim is raised, the game automatically becomes much more of a perimeter game.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
