It is interesting, the evolutional path described by young talented players, determined to be older rich players in the sport of basketball. However, it is also interesting to note the decline in fan participation of (American) professional basketball.

It has been said, by others much more knowing than I, that football, for example, if a sport made of individuals, whose ability to succeed is only limited by their ability to coalesce as a team; while basketball, on the other hand, is a sport of individuals whose ability to succeed is only enhanced by their ability to function as an independent unit, in a otherwise team sport. True basketball fans come to watch individuals (like, say in NASCAR), while American football and baseball, fans tend to watch teams.

Therefore, in order to restore balance to b-ball (which I played many, many years ago) it is not about how to get there, rather than what it is when you get there. The rules need to be changed. Currently it is almost impossible to play professional basketball unless you are well over six feet tall, or are able to make a standing jump of about three feet (that doesn't sound like much to many ordinary folk, but try it! I doubt you will be able to reach much more than a foot).

That being said, the instances which made many, many of historical contests so great was not the ability to perform a slam dunk. It was not the precociousness of an Alley Oop. It was not being able to take three or four steps and make it appear you are actually flying through the air to make a lay-up which started thirty feet from the hoop. It was about the players themselves to perform a brilliant opera within which all individuals had to exert themselves to the benefit of their team, by passing, ball control, blocking, setting up pivot plays and presses which made the game so exciting to both fans and players alike. Much of which is lost now to such drivel as "I am so tall! Look how I can dunk!"

Who cares? Maybe some do, but purists like myself want to go back to those glory days when a basketball player was defined by how well he/she worked with the rest of their teammates. Therefore I have decided that there should be some major changes made in rules regarding professional basketball. To whit:

(1) The court need to be longer and wider. This will require more than the obligatory twelve men on a team as each player will be more likely to tire sooner the longer he is on the court. It will also provide more opportunity for the ling shooter. There really aren't very many in the business today, but there could be!

(2) The basket needs to be higher. It should be raised at least two feet. The transition from high school (10') to college (11') to pros (12') could easily be maintained. This would also stimulate more than the gifted players to compete, simply because you don't have to be a giant to play the game. Note: I am not disparaging those extremely gifted shorter players who have managed to reach the pinnacle of basketball stardom. They are athletes of note and should be applauded for their ability, drive, and determination. I am saying, however, that this rule change could drastically change the balance between short and tall players. It will more than likely become equal.

(3) The rules in pro b-ball MUST be the same as those for non-pro b-ball. You get a foul for turning the ball over. If you take more than one and a half steps, regardless of where you are on the floor, you receive a foul. These, to me as a former player when these rules were actually enforced, are what used to be known as flagrant fouls. Nowadays a flagrant foul is when you punch someone in the nose, or deliberately give a player a body-check, as if full contact is allowed! This ain't hockey, people!

In any case, I have ranted enough for one evening. Please read and evaluate my ideas, try and respond without bloodshed, and see what develops.

Thanks for the space.