Will the NBA improve once Shaq retires?

Question

Basketball began as a non-contact sport. We all know that is no longer true. Has Shaq's physical play pushed the boundaries of the game too far? Has the NBA looked the other way regarding this issue due to the amount of revenue Shaq has generated? Will the physicality of the game return to it's previous standards when Shaq retires? If so, will viewer interest increase? Will the game become more graceful and less of a wrestling match?

Answer 1

the game of basketball - like all sports - is evolving. shaq isnt the only factor that has brought back some physical contact. we can look through the history of the game and we see fights, physical players and harsh fouls.

in the more recent years, michael jordan was often punished by the detroit pistons. the theory behind it....wear the best player in the world down. tire him so his shots dont go in, so his legs get heavy, and do he thinks twice the next time he tries to drunk the ball. the pistons had the 'jordan rules', a seperate guide in how to defend him - detroit piston style.

the pistons played a physical defence and were often called the bad boys.

in regards to shaq, his size and strength make it almost impossible to stop him. i think th eL has allowed the physical contact because if it doesnt, shaq will be whistled an offensive foul every time he bumps a player. imagine shaq playing against C like Zaza Pachulia (Hawks), Andris Biedrins (Golden State) or Nenad Krstic (New Jersey). shaq qouls steam roll th eplayers each and every time. i dont think its necessarilys shaq's fault, but more so that he plays hard and he takes it aggressively to the ring. if u dont, then u get ur shot blocked. i think shaq is being the aggressive C every team wish they had. however, i do beleive that there are some offensve fouls that dont get called.

i think the game of basketball will now be a contact sport. when a player goes for a shot players want to foul the person HARD. why? so they dont get the shot in...so u shake them up and hope they miss a FT or two, and so u take something away from their confidence. its all a tactic

let us not also forget some of the physical wing defenders. one name that always surfaces is bruce bowen. many players have accused him of playing rough, and in a way where he tried to hurt a player by 'undercutting' them. this means a player will go up for a jump shot and come down landing on Bowens leg. the player coming down could land on their ankle awkwardly and injure it. i did something like this just recently and ive been out now for 6 weeks. i tore 2 ligaments, partially tore another, and had cartlidge break off from inside my ankle.

the game is rough, is it the players fault? maybe so....but its definitely something the referees need to control.....theyre the ones who govern the game....the players just play it to how the refs tell them

Answer 2

I understand what you are saying in the sense that Shaq changed the game, but it was never a non-contact sport. The physical center is now what every team is looking for and as Shaq has prooved, it is the key to success. After Shaq retires you have to look at guys like Yao Ming, who will never really be physical, and Greg Oden to take over. Oden seems like the best shot at that. He is still a little thin to be the inside force that Shaq was, but he clearly has enough muscle to hold his own. He knows how to play defense down low, and in college he can pretty much score whenever he wants. Give him a few years in the NBA (he's still like 19) and he will be great. People call him overrated (douchebag a few lines above) but he is still just a kid and statistically, he is the best Freshman center to come around in awhile. Better than Shaq, Ewing, and Hakeem. He should be the #1 pick and the future of the NBA after Shaq.....thank you

Answer 3

Not really. Ever since Shaq achieved champion status. A game has been hard to referee with him in it. Ticky tack fouls are going to be called every second to protect that next "Shaq" or "Jordan". The last thing the NBA wants to do is invest so much money on one player like they've grown so accustomed to doing in the Jordan era. Kobe's getting that same treatment.

Answer 4

Appearently John isn't watching the same NBA as we are. True in collage they play harder, but that's because they are playing for an NBA contract and trying to impress the scouts.

The hack a player will still exist even after Shaq retires.

Answer 5

Basketball wont be the same without Shaq. Hey and whos gonna take Shaqs spot as a all-star C, Greg Oden....No and why because well first off hes overated and hes just tall and you wont like him either cause he fouls too much and doesnt even get called for it. SHAQ is the best

Answer 6

The NBA is so watered down right now that players like Shaq, and Nowitski are the only players worth watching..... Since the Jordan Era ended it sounded the horn for the end of exciting NBA basketball.

You want exciting basketball. Watch College, they get paid more and they seem to have more fun....

Answer 7

For the record, basketball has never been a non-contact sport. What league did you grow up watching?

Answer 8

no the heat will suck and anyways Shaq does not make this sport contact wise he just plays like anyone else plays the sport.

Answer 9

no because then NBA is losing one of there stars, one of the reasons people come to games, and there losing a champion

Answer 10

If that happens then basketball won't be fun to watch anymore if the players seem so agressive.