Is the dunk ruining the game?

YouTube · by **Andrew** on Thu Mar 06, 2003 11:27 am

I saw this mentioned by someone over in the NBA Live Wishlist in reference to the slam dunk contest and the game in general, so I thought I'd make my own post about it.

The argument that the dunk is indeed ruining the game is that it does not allow players to work on the fundamentals. Players are more interested in making a spectacular dunk than they are perfecting their jumpshot, or improving their ballhandling. The assertion is basketball has become more about the highlight reels than executing a play.

I do not agree that the dunk is ruining, or has ruined, the game of basketball. The dunk in its raw form, putting the ball through the basket with force, is a high percentage shot. Yes, it can be missed, but for a seven foot centre, a shot so close to the basket and with such high odds of being successful, it should be part of his arsenal. A simple dunk (well, simple by their standards) is just the next step up from a layup. Chamberlain and Russell used it because it's a high percentage shot. Just because some players use their athleticism to make it appealing to the crowd does not mean it is not an effective shot.

Also, the players who bring nothing to the table but fancy dunks usually fade out of the league. Terrance Stansbury competed in a few dunk contests, but he only played around 5 years in the league, never having a really significant role on the Pacers or Sonics. Harold Miner won two slam dunk contests, but he played only 4 years, as he didn't show much else.

Then you have guys like the two time defending champion Jason Richardson. It's been said that he's greatly improved his jumpshot since entering the NBA, though he is shooting below 40% this season. Overall, his numbers are by no means terrible, especially when you consider the times that he has barely played.

I don't think the dunk is causing basketball any problems. There are still guys who can shoot, still guys who can pass, still guys who can dribble the ball without losing it more than half the time. The players who can do nothing but dunk come and go quickly, leaving the talented players behind. Even if most of us would rather watch a tape of spectacular dunks than great team play, at the end of the day it's the team that can play the best basketball, not pull of the best dunks, that wins the championship.

by **TheBob** on Thu Mar 06, 2003 12:38 pm

What you said is great Andrew but you failed to address some major issues. I think most would agree that the problem with the Nba today is the influx of young players comming into the league from either high school or after playing one or two years of college basketball and possessing very few fundamental skills. That being said, these young players are being drafted based on potential. When we think potential what comes to mind (and rightfully so)? That's right, athleticism...The problem with the Nba at the moment is that young kids who really have very few skills are being drafted due to their athleticism. In my opinion the way that this athleticism is most often demonstrated is by dunking. Dunking has become such a big deal and instantly draws attention to you through highlites. These kids want to be noticed so they can make a name for themselves. Unfortunatly they're getting noticed the wrong way and these young guns are ending up in the Nba when they don't belong there. So basically the dunk isn't what's wrong with the Nba in my opinion but rather a manifestation of the problem (lack of fundamentals).

YouTube · by **Andrew** on Thu Mar 06, 2003 1:24 pm

That's true, I didn't really touch on that. But I guess it's like I said, those players who follow that mentality of dunking being the most important aspect of the game do not last as long, and certainly do not rise to that elite level.

Something else I failed to mention on the other side of the argument - of all the slam dunk champions thus far, none has been on a team that went on to win the championship that season, and only two have played a significant part on championship winning teams (Vinsanity and Nique are excused because they did not have/do not yet have the supporting cast MJ and Kobe did/does).

Also, a lot of the competitors are not households names, familiar only to hardcore fans (the Chris Carrs, Greg Minors and Jamie Watsons of the NBA). These guys are players trying to make a name for themselves through the slam dunk contest - which ties in with the point you mentioned.

by **Stevan** on Thu Mar 06, 2003 2:35 pm

The dunk doesn't ruin the game, just look at the NBL... if players showed, or in some cases had the athleticism even remotely close to their NBA counterparts, people might give a shit about Basketball in Australia.

I think dunks and other athletic moves bring fans to the game, which may not be there if it was just "shoot, layup, rebound, shoot, rebound, layup". I guess there are probably other fans who are tired of the lack of fundamentals in basketball and can't bare to watch anymore, but I doubt there are many of those. Either way, it would be hard for us to measure whether the dunk is helping the game, or being detrimental.

In my opinion the dunk hasn't ruined the game. You can't spend a whole training session dunking, you're bound to eventually shoot and dribble, etc. And if shooting and dribbling fundamentals aren't there, then maybe it's because people are trying to be fancy and not learning them correctly, and not because all they care about is dunking. Guys wanna pull a big crossover, regardless of whether you can easily blow by your man with a simple jab or whatever. And a lot of kids want their shot to look good, they want to look like who knows which player, cocking the ball way behind their head. (maybe Shane Heal?) They end up looking like an ass, and missing plenty of jumpers too. Damn those And1 mixtapes :lol:

by **Colin** on Thu Mar 06, 2003 2:57 pm

And1 + rucker = Me being

& $$$ for And1

YouTube · by **Andrew** on Thu Mar 06, 2003 2:57 pm

That's a good point too, it's not just dunking that is subject to attempts at being flashy. That has been one of the criticisms of Jason Williams throughout his career thus far, that he will try to make a spectacular pass rather than a fundamental pass. No matter what aspect of the game, a play can be botched by trying to make the highlight reels.

by **Matthew** on Thu Mar 06, 2003 8:10 pm

I have to agree with what Stevan said. Without any exciting plays, the casual sport fan simply wouldn't be interested in hoops. Look at the WNBA, there has been what, one dunk in their history? And they draw virtually no audience both in TV or attendence when compared to the NBA.
The dunk is also a way of allowing a physical element in a "non-contact" sport so I think it's important, and good for the game.

by **EGarrett** on Fri Mar 07, 2003 12:40 am

NBA fan actually took the words right out of my mouth. If it wasn't for the dunk you wouldn't have an NBA to watch...plain and simple. The sport as a whole lost a lot of interest in the 70's and guys like Dr. J in the ABA and NBA kept people buying tickets until the sport took off again.

If you want basketball without dunking...watch the WNBA. Unfortunately there is no speed, penetration or great ballhandling either...just passes, set-shots and the occasional layup. That's why within 2 years or so there won't be a WNBA either...

People watch the dunk...it's the highest percentage shot you can take...if you want to you can cover your eyes whenever someone athletic gets alone on the break...but you have to find a way to live with it.

by **Colin** on Fri Mar 07, 2003 4:39 am

When the wnba finals roll around, both their viewers are gonna be bored

by **Drex** on Fri Mar 07, 2003 8:16 am

The dunk is not ruining the game of basketball, it's ruining some young players that are only interested in jumping over some 7-footer and dunk on his face.

by **slipknot** on Fri Mar 07, 2003 10:57 am

Dr3x_14 wrote:The dunk is not ruining the game of basketball, it's ruining some young players that are only interested in jumping over some 7-footer and dunk on his face.

Carter only did that once.

I don't think the dunk is ruining the game... yet. The guys in college and high school right now are the streetballers who like dunks and flashy crossovers/passes. There's going to be a sort of a 'dark era' in the NBA for a few years where players just dunk and pass behind the back into the stands. I really don't know though, that's just my opinion.

by **Alex Italo** on Fri Mar 07, 2003 11:54 am

The problem isn't the dunk... The problem is players whose only skill is dunking.

by **Brave Sir Rubin** on Sun Mar 09, 2003 2:24 am

the dunk is part of the beauty of basketball together with crossovers, spin moves, behind the back passes, etc...

Dunking is an art form...sadly some players focus thie game around it...but still it is not ruining the game... i'm pretty sure that i'd get easily bored from a dunkless play. the dunks, nice baskets, and the last 5 minutes are the true excitement of the game...

A bad thing about dunks though is that players sometimes get overly creative and injure themselves in the process...

YouTube · by **mp3** on Sun Mar 09, 2003 4:12 am

Brave Sir Rubin wrote:Dunking is an art form...sadly some players focus thie game around it...

this is very true. iam a big fan of dunking but want to more people coming into the nba with more to there name than just been a high flyer.

for example Darius Miles is shooting .561 from the line.
Jason Richardson shoots .396 from the field.

i wouldn't say that the dunk was ruining the game, id say the players with just a dunk in there repertoire are ruining the game:!: