There are a lot of things people hate about the NBA right now. Some of the bitching is warranted while there is also some that’s nitpicking. If we’re being honest, there will always be a group of fans that thinks basketball was better during some other time period. I once heard someone claim the league was at its peak during mid-1990s when Mark Jackson was backing down guards 40 feet from the hoop. Okay, so that person might have been me.
Anyway, the reason people hate the NBA today can best be summed up by this play from Jordan Clarkson in a game between the Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs:
Look, NBA players are more talented and athletic now than at any previous point in history. There is no denying that. But what the fuck is this play? It embodies everything people hate about the NBA. Let’s break it down.
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1) 6/10 players do nothing
There are six guys, three from each team, parked along the baseline who are doing absolutely nothing. Their body language and demeanor clearly inform watchers they will play no part in whatever happens during this possession. Look at Georges Niang in the near corner. He is just standing around awkwardly like a dude waiting for his girlfriend outside the women’s bathroom at Target.
With no or few fans in the stands, NBA players have stopped pretending to try. These six players are entirely superfluous. At least when Allen Iverson went full heroball for the 76ers, the other guys on the court feigned interest even though we all knew they weren’t contributing.
2) The most pointless switch
There is no reason to switch on this pick and roll. None whatsoever. It’s not like this is some fast-developing play. Joe Ingles slowly trots over to set a pick on Keldon Johnson. Everyone sees it coming from a mile away and has an eternity to react. What’s more, there is plenty of space to go over the top of the screen. Plus, Jordan Clarkson is basically at a full stop. It would take no extra effort for Johnson to avoid the pick and he wouldn’t be at a defensive disadvantage.
There is literally no logical reason to switch and have Luka Samanic guard Clarkson. It is what the Jazz want the Spurs to do, and they did it. This happens all the time and it is a big reason people hate the NBA. If another team wants a switch, at least make them earn it.
3) It’s not a travel but it feels like
Clarkson doesn’t travel during this play. But it sure as hell feels like it should be a travel. He basically goes from the top of the key to behind the free throw line without a dribble. Of course, we all know about the gather step, but this is just obscene.
Traveling and the gather step were rules designed for players moving towards the basket, not going backwards diagonally from it. No one wants to see a player take two steps 20+ feet away from the hoop. This isn’t an interesting or exciting play. The game of basketball is worse off for it.
People don’t want to hate the NBA
This play highlights the laziness and lack of logic permeating basketball at the moment. People don’t want to hate the NBA, but no one can get behind crap like this that happens almost every night. It’s unwatchable.
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