Simple question: Should dunking the basketball be called goaltending?

Question

I know the exception to the goaltending rule exists:

EXCEPTION: If a player near his own basket has his hand legally in contact with the ball, it is not a violation if his contact with the ball continues after the ball enters the cylinder, or if, in such action, he touches the basket.

But why should such a skill-less act have resulted in a rule change. The entertainment value of a dunk in a game is minimal. Any athlete at the skill-level of an NBA player can dunk. Occasionally on a breakaway a player gets an opportunity to showoff with a fancy dunk, but what "real" basketball fan should care? At least in baseball with the homerun you are actually scoring faster; the dunk contributes just another generic 2 points. It probably should only be worth one point for the amount of skill it takes.

OK, I see that everyone loves the dunk. Let's see some answers that have more than a kneejerk reaction to them. I figured that people wouldn't agree, but I expected more answers of depth, not just angry opinions.

I realize that the quesion was just expressing my opinion too, but at least (most of) it was a thought-out position.

Section I-A Player Shall Not:
a. Touch the ball or the basket ring when the ball is using the basket ring as its lower base.
EXCEPTION: If a player near his own basket has his hand legally in contact with the ball, it is not a violation if his contact with the ball continues after the ball enters the cylinder, or if, in such action, he touches the basket.
b. Touch the ball when it is above the basket ring and within the imaginary cylinder.
c. For goaltending to occur, the ball, in the judgment of the official, must have a chance to score.
d. During a field goal attempt, touch a ball after it has touched any part of the backboard above ring level, whether the ball is considered on its upward or downward flight.
e. During a field goal attempt, touch a ball after it has touched the backboard below the ring level and while the ball is on its upward flight.

f. Trap the ball against the face of the backboard. (To be a trapped ball, three elements must exist simultaneously. The hand, the ball and the backboard must all occur at the same time. A batted ball against the backboard is not a trapped ball.)
g. Touch any live ball from within the playing area that is on its downward flight with an opportunity to touch the basket ring. This is considered to be a "field goal attempt" or trying for a goal.
h. Touch the ball at any time with a hand which is through the basket ring.
i. Vibrate the rim or backboard so as to cause the ball to make an unnatural bounce.

PENALTY: If the violation is at the opponent's basket, the offended team is awarded two points, if the attempt is from the two point zone and three points if it is from the three point zone. The crediting of the score and subsequent procedure is the same as if the awarded score has resulted from the ball having gone through the basket, except that the official shall hand the ball to a player of the team entitled to the throw-in. If the violation is at a team's own basket, no points can be scored and the ball is awarded to the offended team at the free throw line extended on either sideline. If there is a violation by both teams, play shall be resumed by a jump ball between any two opponents at the center circle.

Skill - Proficiency, facility, or dexterity that is acquired or developed through training or experience.

So dunking is an ability more than a skill. The huge majority of NBA players can dunk. They can't all make it "pretty," but they can dunk.

In response to the "1 point for a dunk" point; someone tell me what percentage of attempted dunks are made. probably a higher percentage than even free throws.

And lastly, about getting fired up; if you aren't trying your hardest the entire game, QUIT!! Why should a professional need anything external to get fired up.

Answer 1

Ah well...the dunk is here to stay. Owners and legal officials want to generate as much excitement as possible and elininating the dunk would not make the game more exciting.

I do however appreciate your point. Today's players know little more than how to stuff. Skills are probably the worst I've seen since I started watching the game in the late 60's...

Having said that, I don't want to see the rules changed too much because that's when you start seeing other problems. I'm really not a big fan of the 3 pointer either.

Changes I would consider making:

- Change the lane to the international size
- Widen the court by 10 feet
- Eliminate zone defense
- Eliminate the "hack-a-shaq" by allowing teams to either shoot FTs or take the ball out of bounds, but go back to the one-plus-one
- Give 2 fouls to players that "flop"
- Eliminate the 3-pt shot (or conversely, move the line IN to 22 ft.

Answer 2

No! Dunking is one of the most exiting things in sports. Also, People like Earl Boykins and Steve Nash can't dunk. And if dunking is such a "skill-less act" lets see you dunk! Plus, there is such thing as a one run homerun. Thats one point, but in baseball, you score faster with homeruns, right? NO! A dunk can be 2 or 3 points. If you dunk on a fast break with no one covering you, you can just dunk the ball and get 2 points. If you dunk with defense trying to block you, you can get an AND1. Make the free throw and you have got yourself a 3 point play off of a dunk.

Answer 3

Dunking takes no skill? God, I'm sick of you casual, know-nothing fans. What's more, it's not goal tending to dunk. It's goal tending to hang on the rim and/or to put your hands through the cylinder when you dunk. They made this rule because Shaq used to break not only the backboard/rim, but the entire support system by hanging on the rim and pulling.

Dunking has no entertainment value??? What the hell are you talking about?

What's more, dunking is important because it's much more difficult to block than a lay-up, making it a higher percentage shot and it makes it more likely to get to the foul line.

You wasted 5 points with this question. It's kinda without thought.

Answer 4

So basically what your saying is a three point shot is much tougher to achieve than a dunk. With that said, I don't know too many people who can dunk with ease...but I do know a lot of people who can step behind the arc and hit a three. So your logic behind a dunk only being worth one point due to the amount of "skill" it takes makes absolutely no sense. To answer your question about goaltending....it takes two people to have a violation. One being the shooter and the other being either a teammate or opposing player. There is no way a dunk could be considered goaltending because it only involves only the dunker. The only exception might be a player blocking his own shot after the ball has left his/her hand.....but in that case it would be traveling...because you can't pass the ball to yourself.

Answer 5

Obviously dunking is not skill-less, or else everyone in the NBA could dunk.

And it's so much more than just 2-points. A nice dunk energizes the arena and changes the momentum of a game. It sends a message to the opposing team.

Answer 6

I dont think is should be. I agree with Philthy. Why do you think the Nba All Star game gets a lot of fame Players, Passes, Dunks. Dunks are so important they Made The DUNK CONTEST and not everyone that Dunks gets invited. Why Because its also a skill!

Answer 7

Your right dunks should be worth 1 point
free throws 3
3 pointers 4
half court 8
ya I'm just trying to live in your world.

Answer 8

nah keep the dunk around for the excitement.
but let me get this straight..........Philthy is making fun of asking this because he says its not goal tending to dunk in his answer but goes on to say that its goal tending to put ur hands through the cylinder when ur dunking? does anyone else know how the **** u dunk without putting ur hands through the cylinder?

Answer 9

They should get rid of goaltending period...it would make da game more intresting and fun...u can smack the ball away as long as it doesnt touch the rim...they dun have goaltending in international games.

Answer 10

Simple Answer: No

Have you ever seen an alley-oop. Minimally exciting my a#@. Sound like someone who has never dunked a ball and is angry that is genetics do not allow him to do this. If it is scuh a skillless act, can you dunk? Please anwer I would love to know.