I went to the park to run 5s yesterday (I live in Florida so it’s like the pandemic doesn’t exist) and the game at the grassroots level is dramatically different from the NBA game. I’m not saying park runs should look exactly like elite, professional basketball but it’s a completely different game. We have to get back to what refs were intended to do, which is protect the athletes from hurting each other and keeping the game organized. Instead they’re being used as a weapon. Free throw hunting is a manipulation of basketball. Fans hate it because it’s not a natural part of the game. It needs to be the NBA’s highest priority to eliminate all types of manipulation and return basketball to its roots. It’s an offense-defense game. You need to have teams that can be dominant on defense to create intriguing matchups and varying styles. The game is too homogeneous. The strategies are too similar. The officiating is garbage. The elite players are bitches who gang up with each other. You end up with no storylines.
What did you observe in the park to come to this conclusion ?
A game that flows better. Players skill sets vary and aggressive defenders can affect the game as much as ball handlers. Post players can dominate as much as perimeter guys. Just so much variation
Aggressive defenders can affect the game as much as ball handlers because pick up games have three dudes that can actually dribble with both hands. Post players can dominate cause they’re one of 2 guys on the court over 6’4”. Skill sets vary because
daily reminder we shoot less ft nows than in the 90s and 00s.
yeah nobody was ever trying to draw fouls in the past and people definitely didnt criticize guys like jordan for constantly getting calls and living at the line. that would be crazy.
Bring back hand checking. Also, the game isnt dying. Its growing faster than ever because its cheap as fuck to play and anyone can play. The NBA viewership might be getting lower, because the game has turned into a bit of a joke with only 3s and dunks