What's with the NBA

[irv]

What ya all watching basketball and soccer for when the greatest/toughest game on the planet is currently underway in the name of the NHL playoffs.

[cardsagain74]

That game had the lowest expected point total of anything in the NBA all season, so it wasn't exactly a representation of modern-day shooting prowess.

Players are more skilled at making threes than they ever have been (because of how so much of the game revolves around them).

And yes, flopping is out of control. Measures have been implemented to try and stop it. They aren't working very well.

[Huysmans]

Originally Posted by irv

What ya all watching basketball and soccer for when the greatest/toughest game on the planet is currently underway in the name of the NHL playoffs.

Of course I'm biased as a Canadian.... but I truly believe if the majority of people were exposed to hockey, it would be the world's most popular sport, as it is arguably the hardest and most skilled team sport to play. Those who appreciate athletics at their highest level will love hockey. Of course, this popularity will never occur for a number of reasons.

I've seen reaction videos on Youtube where basketball and soccer fans watch hockey for the first time, and most are shocking by the skill and athleticism exhibited.

ESPN did a thorough study asking what sports are the hardest and most skilled to play.

The study featured a panel of experts from "a group made up of sports scientists from the United States Olympic Committee, of academicians who study the science of muscles and movement, of a star two-sport athlete, and of journalists who spend their professional lives watching athletes"

The analysis was based on 10 categories or skills, including:

ENDURANCE
STRENGTH
POWER
SPEED
AGILITY
FLEXIBILITY
NERVE
DURABILITY
HAND-EYE COORDINATION
ANALYTIC APTITUDE

HOCKEY was ranked the #1 team sport, scoring 71.750, second overall to boxing which scored 72.375.

Football was #3 with 68.375
Basketball was #4 with 67.875

https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/sportSkills


.... there was also a second study released in the spring I believe from a group that does unbiased studies, and they came to the same conclusion and rankings (can't remember the name of the organization or find the link to the article)

[ClementeFanOh]

Brent- I am a big admirer of hockey, incredible sport. Hockey and soccer
share a vital truth- if your team has a goalie who is standing on his head,
it can take you a long way Trent King

[frankbmd]

Game 1 of the NBA finals was a fine exhibit of the modern game.

A. The offense plays ring around the rosy (the three point line).

B. The 3 point shots were converted 42% of the time (2 point shots about 46%).

C. Three point shots were roughly 50% of the total attempts and accounted for over 50% of the total points scored.

D. Nearly everyone who crossed the line looked for the open man at the arc before considering a measly two point shot.

E. Contested rebounds on missed three pointers are rare.

F. Three seconds in the lane on offense is virtually never called.

G. There a number of credible three point shooters over 7 feet tall.

H. The increased shooting success behind the arc is indeed impressive, but only slightly more exciting than watching someone make free throws.


There is a solution though to make the game more interesting.


Eliminate the three point shot completely

[tiger8mush]

I can't get past the traveling

[howard38]

Originally Posted by ClementeFanOh

Brent- I am a big admirer of hockey, incredible sport. Hockey and soccer
share a vital truth- if your team has a goalie who is standing on his head,
it can take you a long way Trent King

As a Rangers fan I endorse this message.

[Snapolit1]

Old men complaining about basketball as unwatchable. A time honored tradition.

NBA has never been more popular. Worldwide. Off the charts level of interest.

[ClementeFanOh]

Steve N- any value to the complaint actually being true? Trent King

[irv]

Originally Posted by Huysmans

Of course I'm biased as a Canadian.... but I truly believe if the majority of people were exposed to hockey, it would be the world's most popular sport, as it is arguably the hardest and most skilled team sport to play. Those who appreciate athletics at their highest level will love hockey. Of course, this popularity will never occur for a number of reasons.

I've seen reaction videos on Youtube where basketball and soccer fans watch hockey for the first time, and most are shocking by the skill and athleticism exhibited.

ESPN did a thorough study asking what sports are the hardest and most skilled to play.

The study featured a panel of experts from "a group made up of sports scientists from the United States Olympic Committee, of academicians who study the science of muscles and movement, of a star two-sport athlete, and of journalists who spend their professional lives watching athletes"

The analysis was based on 10 categories or skills, including:

ENDURANCE
STRENGTH
POWER
SPEED
AGILITY
FLEXIBILITY
NERVE
DURABILITY
HAND-EYE COORDINATION
ANALYTIC APTITUDE

HOCKEY was ranked the #1 team sport, scoring 71.750, second overall to boxing which scored 72.375.

Football was #3 with 68.375
Basketball was #4 with 67.875

https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/sportSkills


.... there was also a second study released in the spring I believe from a group that does unbiased studies, and they came to the same conclusion and rankings (can't remember the name of the organization or find the link to the article)

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by ClementeFanOh

Steve N- any value to the complaint actually being true? Trent King

It's a different game played today than what I watched growing up. I'm not in love with it, and basketball was never my sport, but my boys and nephews love it. As do a lot of other people apparently. I'm amazed at the level of international interest. If there is one sport I could buy stock in it would undoubtedly be the NBA.