Read the debate intro and Bleacher Fan’s argument that the NBA change to the traveling rule is bad for the game.
In the land of basketball, monster dunks and high flying acrobatics reign supreme. Fans do not watch to admire Kevin Garnett’s bounce passes, Dwight Howard’s ability to set a screen, or Shaquille O’Neal’s free throw mechanics. People watch the NBA waiting for one of these giants to soar over the boards and impose their will on a defense via a dunk that results in earthquake quality aftershocks, or for a player to drive the lane with the intensity of a freight train, take flight, and toss up a shot that seems to alter the laws of physics before sinking through the hoop for two points. Basketball fans anticipate these moments with an intense primal ferocity that is akin to a hungry lion watching a parade of gazelles. The slam dunk brings the same excitement to basketball that the long ball brings to baseball, a good fight brings to hockey, and a multi-car pileup brings to NASCAR. These special moments produce a Zen like euphoria for fans that keep them coming back for more. The NBA would be crazy not to encourage it, and the new two step traveling rule is a step in the right direction (pun intended).
This season NBA players will be allowed to take two full steps without dribbling – one more than previously allowed. NBA players – and for that matter players at every level of the game – have been taking this extra step for years. Even some of the elite players, from Earvin “Magic” Johnson to “Pistol” Pete Maravich, have been caught taking this extra step when approaching the basket. Has it tarnished their legacies? No. Instead it has made the game more exciting and allowed for more creative and memorable moments. Fans are thrilled by the mind-blowing shots players like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James seem to pull off every game. I am sure if we scrutinized the highlight reels of todays superstars we would notice an enormous amount of missed traveling calls, but would that make the awesome feats of these legends any less appealing. Again, I say “no.” This rule has given a larger canvas to the hoops artists of the modern era.
This “new” rule is not even “new.” Rather, it recognizes a long standing and informally accepted practice. Even high ranking NBA officials like Joe Borgia the Vice President of Referee Operations have admitted to instructing referees to turn a blind eye to this type of traveling. Officials have a hard enough time imposing the rules of such a fast paced game without having to be martinets enforcing ticky-tack rules. For example, basketball is one of – if not the only sport – where the official must keep a running clock of how long a player is in a certain area of the playing field (e.g. the three second rule), yet they are expected to count player steps, ensure proper dribbling, and watch for fouls all at the same time. It is just too much. Most fans want to see players simply play the game they love. The other option for the NBA is to dehumanize the sport with instant replays and challenges, allowing machines and computers to decide how a GAME is played.
Every sport makes adjustments to accentuate its best aspects. Just as MLB’s decision to lower the pitchers mounds in 1968 resulted in more prolific offensive displays, the decision to formally allow this extra step will open new scoring exhibitions. Some critics of this rule argue that it will allow players to run across the court without dribbling. But, it merely allows one extra step… a final push needed to elevate for more distance, greater height, and new innovative dunks.
Growing up mostly a baseball fan during the 1980s and 1990s, I was indoctrinated into the world of the NBA through video games. In 1993 Midway produced a game that would change my life forever and ignite my passion for both the NBA and the monster dunk – NBA Jam. This video game taught me more than just the phrase “boom-shaka-laka!” It taught me that the most exciting aspects of basketball are massive dunks and backboard breaking slams (á la Shaquille O’Neal). Today, the NBA still needs the slam dunk, but more importantly the league needs it to stay fresh. When the NBA’s Slam Dunk contest turns to costumed theatrics (i.e. Dwight Howard) to stay relevant, then a change needs to be made, and adding this extra step is that change.
Try to imagine this scenario: An epic match up in a pivotal game seven between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers. With seven seconds left in the game and both teams out of time outs, the Lakers are up by one point. The Cavaliers have the ball and LeBron James brings it, and his team’s fate, across half court. He checks the clock, considers his options, and decides to drive into the lane. LeBron is met by defenders. He jukes, spins, jumps, and releases the ball with mere fractions of a second left. Millions around the world watch in awe. The entire population of the cities of Los Angeles and Cleveland hold their collective breath. As the ball ascends toward the net the crowd crescendos to a deafening level as history rides on this shot…but WAIT, the sound of the final buzzer is figuratively drowned out by the shrill whistle of an official. “Traveling!” is the call.
No fan wants to see a game end with a traveling call. Lakers fans want to see Ron Artest or Kobe Bryant have the opportunity to swat away the ball and the hopes and dreams of Cleveland. Cavaliers’ fans want to revel in that magic moment when King James’ coronation becomes official and they see him rule not with the scepter but with the ring. No one wants a futile, outdated rule to cheapen such a pivotal moment in the sport.
Dear Babe,
Welcome to The Sports Debates – here’s where you are mistaken:
1. If it is difficult for an NBA ref to count steps, how does giving the players an “extra” step make their life easier? They still have to count the steps, now there are just more steps to count.
2. Your hypothetical scenario of a traveling call at the buzzer is completely unrealistic. The referees have admittedly ignored the traveling call in those situations since the days of “Pistol” Pete.
This rule will not be enforced, just like the last one, and so players will simply take greater advantage of it.
We already have explosive plays and earth-shattering dunks in basketball without permitting this extra step. Part of the magic that comes from plays such as that, though, is ball-control. Behind-the-back dribbles, between-the-leg passes, and no-look bounces all add to the impressive nature of the feats unfolding before our eyes. By allowing extra steps, you are actually stripping some of the majesty away. Now, if a player gets caught in a trap, they can literally just pick up the ball and walk away.
This is basketball, not football. Dribbling is part of the game. After a full month of the season, I have not seen one instance where fans, athletes, or the media have said “Thank God they changed that rule… otherwise, this could have caused a problem.”
Hey Bleacher Fan, you are a Cavs fan, right? Any thoughts on the crab dribble? Wasn’t that a traveling call at the end of the game that hurt the Cavs?
Crab-dribbling is not traveling! The NBA recognized that after the fact, and made a VALID rule change at the time which acknowledged that fact.
That was an instance where a controversy identified the opportunity to improve the game.
No such need exists in this case!
“Thank God, they changed the rule”… there you go Bleacher Fan. Now you cannot say you have never heard anyone say it.
Part of the problem with basketball is it is so very repetitive (e.g. two pointer… change of possession… two pointer… change of possession… etc.) Any opportunity to make dunks bigger and nastier should be exploited to the fullest, and that is what this rule adjustment provides.
I still disagree with your assertion that this rule strips any majesty away from the game. Dribbling, passing, and the other fundamentals are overrated.
1. It will not be more work since most players already take the step to begin with. Just like you defend the crab dribble, this is an act by the NBA to improve the game through recognizing a practice that improves the game.
2. Although they do typically ignore all rules during the last 2 minutes of play, one egregious error by a player (i.e. an extra step during LeBron’s crab dribble) or one bad day for a referee could change the course of history. This rule lessens the chance of that occurring.
The quality of the info is what keeps me on this site, thanks!
Wish You a Merry Christmas.
And a merry Christmas to you!