In 1951 at age 12, I scored my first (competitive) basketball game-shot representing St. Martin's Parrish as its only non-Catholic player as permitted by the East St. Louis CYO League rules. That field goal was a little baseline jump-shot. Last night (November 25, 2017), I closed the books on the forty-eighth Annual Decatur/Team Soy Capital Thanksgiving Basketball Tourney as its tournament director these past 16-years. Between the year 1951 and last evening, I've played, coached, directed and observed thousands and thousands of youth, prep and college basketball contests, which qualifies me NOT as a basketball expert but simply a long time observer of 'the game' from many perspectives. That said, I shall offer my personal >>> 'The State of The Game.'
Never before have basketball players been quicker and more physical across the rosters. The speed of the game is in an all-time fast-pace-high-gear. The more structured half-court offense has given way to the up-tempo fast-break and the enticement of the '3-point-shot' as we note the penetrating guards attacking defensive seams and 'kicking-the-pass-out' for a perimeter trey. Speaking of dribble penetration, I claim that it is nearly impossible for the individual defender to stop the one-on-one dribble drive.
The 'In-your-face' full and half court pressure defense gives impetus to the full throttle game today and underscores the importance of substitute-rotations as it re-defines acceptable turnover numbers while begging for good free throw shooting.
Aside from the aforementioned changes in basketball, four (4) things remain constant throughout the years: (1) many coaches fail to help players define and understand their 'role' as it pertains to the player's physical abilities and skills, (2) the team that wins the 'boards' most often wins the game,
(3) game officiating remains problematic and unable to please coaches, fans and players, finally (4) many players would be better players if they didn't live with their parents!
(Touch)
Basketball
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