As with just about everyone, I am enthralled with John Wooden. I cannot even know what I would do if Bruce Weber could win seven straight national titles for my Fighting Illini. So usually when I see his name, I stop to read what The Wizard has to say. Awhile ago I read an article where the interviewer asked him what he would change about the game. He had two suggestions: raise the rim and outlaw the dunk.
Both of those seem like ridiculous ideas. The dunk has electrified audiences around the world. The dunk is an integral part of the game and the entertainment it provides. The 10 foot rim has been the same since the hoop was a fruit basket, and someone had to get on a ladder to pull the ball out after a score. A different rim would completely change the complexion of the game, and it would go against the most basic of rules that James Naismith provided. So, of course, neither of these suggestions should be taken into consideration.
But wait...
A couple of weeks ago, I was watching the next generation of the NBA; and what a future this league has. It has the next Michael Jordan in LeBron James and the next Shaq in Dwight Howard. Both of these next-in-line stars share one thing: They really do not have that much basketball skill.
Obviously, this goes against conventional thinking, but I stand by that statement.
Watching the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs, I tried to find two consecutive LeBron James drives where he actually cleanly beat his defender. It was impossible. It was rare when he did do it just once. He simply took a step to a side and plowed his way to the basket. The defender could not stop him even if he was in position, because the NBA has fairly new no hand check rule. And stopping a 6-8, 250 pound guy with your body is just not gonna happen. The defense is left with the choice of fouling or conceding a lightly contested layup. It’s like me dominating some fifth graders on a Little Tyke’s hoop.
Dwight Howard has a couple decent post moves, but so does every big man in the NBA. What separates Howard from the crowd is his ability to have a defender guard him perfectly, and he can still throw it down on the defender’s head.
Is that what this league is coming to? A player’s athleticism completely outweighs skill. Honestly, who do you think has worked harder to cement his spot in the league, LeBron James or 6-1, 185 pound Mike Bibby?
It is time to reward the Mike Bibby's and take the game of basketball back to the skill game it used to be. Raise the rim and force LeBron to learn how to shoot. Force Dwight Howard to make finesse baskets when a defender has position.
Quickness, size, and athleticism would still have major advantages, but a higher rim would lessen them to an extent. Strategy would actually matter. No longer could LeBron go one on five all game every game and earn a four seed in the playoffs, unless he developed more of an all around game.
But don’t take my word for it, take John Wooden’s.
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5 months ago
Good article. I disagree that the rim should be raised, but I respect your opinion.
4 months ago
This is the pros.
Raise the rim.
4th graders use a 10 foot rim.
And shrink the hoop while you are at it.
And since the NBA won't raise the rim or shrink the hoop either then make dunk shots worth only one point. One-point dunks will have John Wooden smiling.
Thanks for listening.
Tom
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