It’s time for the NBA to make a little change

Recently, the NBA took a step back toward the league’s glory days.

Before the start of… Recently, the NBA took a step back toward the league’s glory days.

Before the start of this current NBA season, Commissioner David Stern announced that new microfiber basketballs would replace the leather ball the league had used for 35 years. The NBA said the ball would offer a better grip and consistency than the old ball.

Numerous NBA stars were unhappy with the change, and once the ball was in use, the hatred for the ball only grew.

Players complained that the ball didn’t bounce straight, it became too slippery after coming in contact with sweat and even a few instances when the ball would cut players’ fingers.

It was a grueling three months, but thankfully that disaster has now ended, and the players can finally go back to enjoying playing basketball as a profession.

In recent years David Stern has made some questionable changes to the NBA game, such as implementing a dress code for players.

On one hand, Stern was able to please the fans that watched pre-game shows and were disgusted when seeing their favorite players walk into the arena wearing a T-shirt, jeans, hat and a pair of headphones.

On the other hand, I can’t imagine anyone being disgusted with that who isn’t a middle-aged mother, so maybe he missed the league’s demographic with that decision.

I think Stern may have shortly wandered down the right path of change for the NBA, but hurried back to safety at the first sign of disapproval. Perhaps he should continue with his changes; it may bring some revival back to a sport that has been down since the departure of Michael Jordan.

Young players like LeBron James and Dwyane Wade have brought back some excitement from those early- to mid-90s, but the league still isn’t quite thriving like it used to. For that reason alone I think Commissioner Stern needs to do something drastic to help out.

I suggest trampolines.

Yes, I propose that the NBA steal the idea of the once great Slamball and make it their own. Everybody loved Slamball, just not enough for the league to survive, but that’s a minor setback.

Slamball was a spin-off of basketball where four large trampolines were built into the ground between the 3-point line and the basket. It emphasized the slam dunk, especially considering that dunks were worth 3 points.

The NBA doesn’t need to change any rules about the game of basketball or even add four trampolines. I think two good-sized trampolines placed directly under the hoop and directly in front of it would spruce up the sport.

Of course, players would now have to wear more protection, but it’s a price worth paying to keep the NBA fresh and exciting – it’s what the NHL has been trying to do for years.

The Slam Dunk Contest would be the greatest event in sports if the NBA added trampolines. Much like the rest of the league, the Slam Dunk Contest has missed that same flair brought upon by Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins and more recently, Vince Carter. Thanks to a lack of interest from league superstars, the dunk contest is now only open to first-, second- and third-year players.

Would you rather watch Nate Robinson attempt to throw a ball through his legs off the backboard 20 times, or would you rather watch Josh Smith rival spins only performed by Tony Hawk?

Imagine the possibility of seeing someone flip either forward or backward before throwing down a powerful slam.

How about the matchups in mid-air? The thought of seeing Amare Stoudemire trying to dunk on Dwight Howard roughly 15 feet above the ground makes me want to sneak into Madison Square Garden and set up the trampolines myself.

Of course the dangers would be there. I’m not saying I would want to be in a position to have someone the size of Shaquille O’Neal, Zach Randolph or Michael Sweetney fly off a trampoline and plow through me, but that’s why the pros are paid to play the game.

Trampolines would make every breakaway must-see television. At any moment, someone can defy the laws of gravity to do an act once thought to be impossible.

Change can be great for sports, and this is one that would certainly be great for the NBA. When the NBA changed back to the “new/old” basketball, Timberwolves star Kevin Garnett said, “Hallelujah for the new ball.”

You see Mr. Stern, there’s just no price you can put on that kind of enthusiasm coming from your employees, which is why I think it’s time for the NBA to bounce to a new era.