Take a pause from TBT meaning Throwback Thursday. Now it stands for The Basketball Tournament, recently concluded with former players from Marquette University in Milwaukee taking home the honors and sharing the $1 million prize.
There were many interesting things that occurred as the tournament played out. First, it was held during the Time of Covid. Though sporting events had previously occurred and there were some special competitions that sports-crazed people could watch on TV, for the most part if was the first “live” set of games since the virus engulfed us.
No fans. Testing protocols. Various rules in place as the players bubbled, not leaving their enclosed spaces once the tournament got underway. Everyone survived.
Secondly, for those of you unfamiliar with TBT, the players are considered professionals because they are playing for that $1 million payout. What’s most interesting is that no other team wins any money. Second place gets nothing. So you better come to compete. In that sense, every game is like a final and the guys play hard. It’s evident. This makes for fun watching.
There are other changes, but the third item to consider is a rule change they utilize which brings excitement to the end of the game. If you happen to be a basketball fan of any degree, whether it’s pro, college or high school, you’re familiar with teams slowing down play and trying to milk the clock if they have a decent lead near the end of regulation time.
This makes the contest boring. You yawn, wait for one coach to call a timeout, then the other, have to sit through commercials if you are watching on TV, and ultimately you lose interest as the team leading tries not to lose rather than continue competing to win and pushing the ball up the court.
I’ve voiced ideas on how to improve that end-of-game scenario, but TBT has taken one, implemented it, and demonstrated success. It goes like this: At the four-minute mark before the end of regulation, whoever is leading must score eight more points (eight points added to the lead and that’s the target for both teams; whoever hits if first wins). No more clock. It’s pickup basketball refined. Like “first one to 21 wins” for those of you who’ve spent years playing on the concrete and asphalt courts.
A quick example: If you’re team is up 79-71 at the four-minute mark, then first team to 87 wins. That motivates the losing team to pick it up, defend harder and score quickly. The leading team wants to light it up as fast as possible to prevent a comeback by their opponent. The frenzy begins.
It’s a spectacular addition to the rules of basketball and a bonanza for viewers and lovers of the game. It astounds me how much more fun it is the watch the game as it concludes. A total no-brainer for every level of basketball to pick up this innovation to improve the growth and enjoyment of the game.
Will that happen? Who the heck knows?
The powers that be at each level of basketball should take the lead from TBT and embrace change. It improves the sport, makes it more fun and exciting to watch. It’s that simple. Those in positions of leadership who can bring this about should take heed.
There were many interesting things that occurred as the tournament played out. First, it was held during the Time of Covid. Though sporting events had previously occurred and there were some special competitions that sports-crazed people could watch on TV, for the most part if was the first “live” set of games since the virus engulfed us.
No fans. Testing protocols. Various rules in place as the players bubbled, not leaving their enclosed spaces once the tournament got underway. Everyone survived.
Secondly, for those of you unfamiliar with TBT, the players are considered professionals because they are playing for that $1 million payout. What’s most interesting is that no other team wins any money. Second place gets nothing. So you better come to compete. In that sense, every game is like a final and the guys play hard. It’s evident. This makes for fun watching.
There are other changes, but the third item to consider is a rule change they utilize which brings excitement to the end of the game. If you happen to be a basketball fan of any degree, whether it’s pro, college or high school, you’re familiar with teams slowing down play and trying to milk the clock if they have a decent lead near the end of regulation time.
This makes the contest boring. You yawn, wait for one coach to call a timeout, then the other, have to sit through commercials if you are watching on TV, and ultimately you lose interest as the team leading tries not to lose rather than continue competing to win and pushing the ball up the court.
I’ve voiced ideas on how to improve that end-of-game scenario, but TBT has taken one, implemented it, and demonstrated success. It goes like this: At the four-minute mark before the end of regulation, whoever is leading must score eight more points (eight points added to the lead and that’s the target for both teams; whoever hits if first wins). No more clock. It’s pickup basketball refined. Like “first one to 21 wins” for those of you who’ve spent years playing on the concrete and asphalt courts.
A quick example: If you’re team is up 79-71 at the four-minute mark, then first team to 87 wins. That motivates the losing team to pick it up, defend harder and score quickly. The leading team wants to light it up as fast as possible to prevent a comeback by their opponent. The frenzy begins.
It’s a spectacular addition to the rules of basketball and a bonanza for viewers and lovers of the game. It astounds me how much more fun it is the watch the game as it concludes. A total no-brainer for every level of basketball to pick up this innovation to improve the growth and enjoyment of the game.
Will that happen? Who the heck knows?
The powers that be at each level of basketball should take the lead from TBT and embrace change. It improves the sport, makes it more fun and exciting to watch. It’s that simple. Those in positions of leadership who can bring this about should take heed.