Getting a Fix on the NBA

A number of basketball fans, some of whom played or coached the game themselves, have told me they find the current NBA unwatchable. Not every game, mind you, but most said that the quality of play in the average televised game is aesthetically displeasing. I agree. Though scoring is up slightly this year, the lack of basketball savvy displayed in the majority of the NBA product is neither worth the expense of a paid ticket nor a satellite network fee. The question, of course, is why?

As sports supposedly evolve, playing styles and philosophies change. Athletes emulate those they see highlighted by the media, particularly television. Unfortunately, American youth coaches must bow to the poor habits of contemporary children raised on a malnutritious diet of three-pointers and And1 tapes. The reasons the pro game has become an eyesore go beyond the fault of EPSN's "SportsCenter."

Broke Ballers

Today's game was exposed in Athens. The emperor has no clothes. The irony is that the Heir Apparent (King LeBron James) understands the floor game. But he is highly outnumbered. Despite the efforts of CYO, AAU, and high school coaches, the most talented American players are not schooled in working for the high-percentage shot.

Watch an NBA game tonight, or simply check out the highlights on your local news station. When teams are in their half-court offense, observe whether anyone is occupying the low post. For almost every team other than Miami or Houston, that answer will be no. Teams do not pass inside first, then move to get open if the best shot option fails. Everything initiates from the wing.

In basketball, at any level, an offense is most effective when the ball enters the pivot early in a possession. This draws the defense inside, and allows for a potential easy shot. From his/her perspective, the tall post player has the option to feed cutters or wing shooters. The ability to score inside and out stretches a defense, and causes it to work harder. It makes defenders move, creating lanes for offensive players. This is almost non-existent in today's NBA.

Ever watch a 1970's or 1980's NBA game on ESPN Classic, or NBA TV? A major difference between then and now is the amount of excessive dribbling that takes place today. Dribbling for reasons other than to score, or move closer to pass to a teammate, consumes the 24-second clock. Players put the ball on the floor while contemplating their next move, rather than faking a shot or pass. Many dribble in one spot. Others handle the ball on the wing, then pick up their dribble, which allows the defender to close in or trap. While this is going on, four teammates stand and watch. This puts no stress on a defense, nor does it attack the basket. The Phoenix Suns are a notable exception.

Tres Ugly

The three-point shot was supposed to help increase scoring. The problem is that too many players shoot it, and that potential fast breaks terminate with a pull-up bomb attempt. Rather than breaking before defenses can get set, offenses settle for a shot from the arc. No wonder scoring averages are down. Before the NBA installed a three-point arc, only one player on most teams shot from 20 feet or so. Those that did never did so on three-on-two fast breaks.

The Glory That Was Greece

During the Olympics, teams that move well without the basketball, pass off the dribble, and run plays through the post, had field days with the more athletic Americans. Employing offenses more reminiscent of Pete Carril than P. Diddy, the competition screened and back-doored Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, and Stephon Marbury to death.

The world has learned the game we taught them. International stars liberally dot NBA rosters. Would such a team have defeated the original Dreamers? No, because in ancient 1992, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and John Stockton understood the value of an outlet pass (remember those?), and knew that during a fast break, the ball need not touch the floor.

The hope is that the trend toward unschooled teenagers entering the NBA, the allure of the one-on-one game, and the fascination with the three-point shot will not continue to be a mustache on the Mona Lisa. The fear is that it increasingly will.