In 1891, a man by the name of James Naismith invented a sport, inspired by a Canadian children's game called 'Duck on a Rock'. Today this game by the name of Basketball is the world's second most popular sport and enjoyed by millions across the globe and growing everyday. Much progress has been made since the days of Mr. Naismith, so much so that the way we look at the game today, some rules, and expectations are all different than previous times and changing at a rapid pace.
Three point lines that were introduced originally have been put further away, even NCAA lines will increase by a foot next season. Today, it is not uncommon for any big men to become precise shooters from areas where their ancient counterparts would never have event dreamt of shooting from. Days when Sam Perkins was regarded with awe are gone, and today some of the best three point shooters are approaching 7 feet tall. Average heights are up significantly, athleticsim is definitely improving as the NBA slam dunk contest shows every year, and athletes are no doubt better conditioned. 18 year old kids are coming out of high school looking like they are at their peak. All of this change has happened in about a 100 years, not much considering that it has only received major attention in the last couple of decades. So using this 'trend' if you will, lets have a look at the very distant future and determine whether the fate of the sport we love so dearly is in danger. What future developments could end up destroying the game of basketball you ask? Two things mainly: evolution and technology
Evolution
Some might not believe in the biological sense of the word evolution, but like it or not the human race is progressing, constantly. In basketball terms, I already highlighted major changes that have occured in the past. While you may argue that basketball has become more important now and that is the reason why improvements are made - I would ask you to check the 100m race and the history of the world record in that field. Running has been a 'sport' since the beginning of time and we can see that we are able to constantly best ourselves. Now, how can a little evolution kill the sport of basketball you say. Well imagine if you will: if it becomes too easy to make a shot, imagine if people can jump so high that they can jump over players and safely place the ball in the rim, imagine if someone is so tall that he can just stand outside the paint and dunk the ball in everytime without jumping. While these things may sound like science fiction to you there is already players today who - make almost every open shot from far distances (Kapono), who can jump over other players (Carter), very tall (Ming). 100 years from now, who says there wont be someone taller than the current record holder for tallest man at 8'11, or who wont be so athleticly gifted that they become unstoppable. It's like in hockey, imagine there was a man fat enough to cover the whole goal - wouldnt the sport at that point just die?
Technology
Technology can be a double edged sword for Basketball. On one hand technology has the opportunity to fix any human fallbacks that might ruin the sport. For example, recently replay checking has been introduced at the end of quarters to support making the right call. However, what if technology is used to for 'evil' purposes. Gene alterations to become the perfect basketball player, surgery to increase arm length, unseen devices that give players an edge, and other possibilities that I cant possibly envision right now. Nothing is impossible or can be discarded in a multi-billion dollar industry. In sports such as pool/snooker there are already cues that guide you into making the perfect shot everytime, in bowling machines can be used to bowl the perfect game. Nike's Shox lines are already blurring the lines of what technological products can be used to give you an edge. What if the Shox technology gets improved to increase your jumping by 5 inches instead of 0.5? Techonology is advancing at such a staggering pace that nothing in this world is safe, let alone a multi-billion dollar 'game' that is so open to exploitation.
Who/What will save Basketball?
As long as we have David Stern as the NBA's commisioner, there is not much cause for concern. He will be there at every dangerous juncture and make sure his empire is not left in crumbles. Technology that is deemed to give an unfair advantage will be quickly banned much in the way that stereoids has been banned in many sports. Rule changes will be made once a player or some players 'break' the sport. Shaq did this back in the day, and different rules have been adjusted throughout history to make the game play better. So if that 10'6 giant comes one day and decides to score everytime down the floor, the commish will make sure to widen the paint so he can no longer reach it without fear of the 3 second rule. Yes, the Sternbot is here to save us all from that day where basketball no longer exists - until of course aliens/mutants/live robots appear...but dont worry, thats too far fetched even by my standards!
Three point lines that were introduced originally have been put further away, even NCAA lines will increase by a foot next season. Today, it is not uncommon for any big men to become precise shooters from areas where their ancient counterparts would never have event dreamt of shooting from. Days when Sam Perkins was regarded with awe are gone, and today some of the best three point shooters are approaching 7 feet tall. Average heights are up significantly, athleticsim is definitely improving as the NBA slam dunk contest shows every year, and athletes are no doubt better conditioned. 18 year old kids are coming out of high school looking like they are at their peak. All of this change has happened in about a 100 years, not much considering that it has only received major attention in the last couple of decades. So using this 'trend' if you will, lets have a look at the very distant future and determine whether the fate of the sport we love so dearly is in danger. What future developments could end up destroying the game of basketball you ask? Two things mainly: evolution and technology
Evolution
Some might not believe in the biological sense of the word evolution, but like it or not the human race is progressing, constantly. In basketball terms, I already highlighted major changes that have occured in the past. While you may argue that basketball has become more important now and that is the reason why improvements are made - I would ask you to check the 100m race and the history of the world record in that field. Running has been a 'sport' since the beginning of time and we can see that we are able to constantly best ourselves. Now, how can a little evolution kill the sport of basketball you say. Well imagine if you will: if it becomes too easy to make a shot, imagine if people can jump so high that they can jump over players and safely place the ball in the rim, imagine if someone is so tall that he can just stand outside the paint and dunk the ball in everytime without jumping. While these things may sound like science fiction to you there is already players today who - make almost every open shot from far distances (Kapono), who can jump over other players (Carter), very tall (Ming). 100 years from now, who says there wont be someone taller than the current record holder for tallest man at 8'11, or who wont be so athleticly gifted that they become unstoppable. It's like in hockey, imagine there was a man fat enough to cover the whole goal - wouldnt the sport at that point just die?
Technology
Technology can be a double edged sword for Basketball. On one hand technology has the opportunity to fix any human fallbacks that might ruin the sport. For example, recently replay checking has been introduced at the end of quarters to support making the right call. However, what if technology is used to for 'evil' purposes. Gene alterations to become the perfect basketball player, surgery to increase arm length, unseen devices that give players an edge, and other possibilities that I cant possibly envision right now. Nothing is impossible or can be discarded in a multi-billion dollar industry. In sports such as pool/snooker there are already cues that guide you into making the perfect shot everytime, in bowling machines can be used to bowl the perfect game. Nike's Shox lines are already blurring the lines of what technological products can be used to give you an edge. What if the Shox technology gets improved to increase your jumping by 5 inches instead of 0.5? Techonology is advancing at such a staggering pace that nothing in this world is safe, let alone a multi-billion dollar 'game' that is so open to exploitation.
Who/What will save Basketball?
As long as we have David Stern as the NBA's commisioner, there is not much cause for concern. He will be there at every dangerous juncture and make sure his empire is not left in crumbles. Technology that is deemed to give an unfair advantage will be quickly banned much in the way that stereoids has been banned in many sports. Rule changes will be made once a player or some players 'break' the sport. Shaq did this back in the day, and different rules have been adjusted throughout history to make the game play better. So if that 10'6 giant comes one day and decides to score everytime down the floor, the commish will make sure to widen the paint so he can no longer reach it without fear of the 3 second rule. Yes, the Sternbot is here to save us all from that day where basketball no longer exists - until of course aliens/mutants/live robots appear...but dont worry, thats too far fetched even by my standards!
1 comment:
The possibilities really are infinte when put in perspective with the games progression in such a short time. Interesting. But I dont know about David Stern...
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