Helena Frye
The basketball rim has been 10 feet high since James Naismith invented the game in 1891. However, the average height for men has increased from 5 feet 6 inches to 6 feet 7 inches, and some believe that the rim should be raised to 11 or 12 feet to account for this. Advocates for raising the rim height argue that it would reduce the advantage of taller players, encourage the development of more technical skills, and make the game more challenging for professional players. Critics of the idea counter that it would negatively impact the quality of gameplay and that the game should evolve organically.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for raising the basketball rim to 12 feet | Pros dunk too easily and make too many 3-pointers |
| Who suggested the idea first | Coach Forrest (Phog) Allen of Kansas in 1932 |
| Who opposes the idea | Majority of coaches, including Shelby Met-calf of Texas A&M, Loyola of Chicago's George Ireland, and Syracuse's Dr. Fred Lewis |
| Who supports the idea | Coach Tom Newell, former juco coach Ernie Woods |
| Experimental games with raised rims | In 2007 at Hec Edmundson Pavilion at the University of Washington in Seattle; in 1994 when the NCAA staged a game before the Final Four in Charlotte featuring two ACC teams |
| Average height of men in 1891 when basketball was invented | 5-foot-6 |
| Average height of an NBA player now | 6-foot-7 |
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What You'll Learn
The game is too easy for pros
The game of basketball has evolved since its inception in 1891 by Dr. James Naismith. The average height for men during that time was 5-foot-6, while the average height of an NBA player today is 6-foot-7. This shift in player height has led to calls for a change in the basketball rim height to 12 feet, with proponents arguing that the game has become too easy for professionals.
One of the main arguments for raising the rim is to increase the level of challenge for professional players. With the current rim height at 10 feet, players in the NBA are frequently able to dunk and make three-pointers, making the game appear simple. Raising the rim would require players to develop and showcase a wider range of skills, such as shooting, dribbling, passing, and defense. It would also reduce the advantage of taller players, bringing the talented "little man" back into relative value and encouraging the development of true centers.
Additionally, proponents suggest that raising the rim would open up the game by eliminating congestion underneath the basket. Rebounds are likely to bounce out farther from the backboard or rim, creating more opportunities for players to showcase their skills in retrieving and controlling the ball. This would also reduce the physicality and congestion often seen near the rim, potentially reducing the number of fouls and improving the flow of the game.
While some may argue that raising the rim would negatively impact shooting accuracy, others disagree. Coach Forrest (Phog) Allen, who suggested raising the rims to 12 feet back in the 1930s, believed that the muscles of the eyes can easily adjust to changes in height. He argued that once players accommodate to the new height, shooting at a 12-foot basket would be just as easy as shooting at a 10-foot one.
However, it is important to consider the potential drawbacks and challenges of such a significant change to the game. As one source mentions, the game of basketball has evolved organically over time, and forcing a drastic change could potentially damage the brand and negatively impact the performance of players at all levels, from professionals to high school students. It is also worth noting that the majority of coaches are resistant to the idea of changing the rim height, and the impact on the game would need to be carefully studied before implementing any changes.
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The average height of players has increased
The average height of basketball players has increased over the years. In 1947, the average height of an NBA player was 6 feet 2 inches, while in 2015, the average height was just under 6 feet 7 inches. This increase in height, combined with improved training techniques and overall athletic ability, has resulted in a more dynamic and above-the-rim style of play.
The height of the basketball rim, however, has remained unchanged at 10 feet since the sport's inception in 1891. James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, chose the height of the railing of the running track at the YMCA gym in Springfield, Massachusetts, as the standard for the peach baskets that served as the first hoops. This height struck a balance between challenging enough to make scoring difficult and not so high as to make shots nearly impossible.
The fixed rim height has been crucial in maintaining fairness and consistency across all levels of play. Players can refine their skills in a consistent environment, knowing that the techniques they develop will be transferable regardless of the court or competition. This uniformity ensures that a basket scored in one gym is equally valid as one scored anywhere else in the world.
However, the debate around increasing the rim height to 12 feet has gained some traction, particularly as the average height of players continues to increase. Proponents of the change argue that raising the rim would bring smaller players back into the spotlight, as their shots would be less likely to be blocked, and they would have a better chance at rebounds. Additionally, with taller players, the game has become more focused on dunking and high-flying plays, and raising the rim could shift the focus back to shooting and strategy.
On the other hand, critics of the idea suggest that raising the rim would disproportionately disadvantage shorter players who have already faced challenges due to their height. They argue that the game should remain true to its roots and that the focus on shooting can be re-emphasized through other means, such as rule changes or adjustments to court dimensions. Ultimately, the debate around raising the basketball rim height remains contentious, with strong arguments on both sides.
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It would benefit smaller players
The idea of raising the basketball rim height to 12 feet has been around since at least 1932, when Coach Forrest (Phog) Allen of Kansas argued for it, predicting that the growing number of taller players would "ultimately make a travesty of basketball". One of the key benefits of raising the rim to 12 feet would be to level the playing field for smaller players.
Today, the average height of an NBA player is 6-foot-7, whereas when the game was invented in 1891, the average height for men was 5-foot-6. The height of the basket has remained at 10 feet since then, and this puts an inordinate premium on growth hormones, excessively benefitting both the tall athlete and the non-athlete who happens to be tall. By raising the rim, smaller players would have a better chance at rebounds as they would bounce farther away from the rim, and their shots would be less likely to be blocked as they would be shooting with a higher arc.
This was demonstrated in an experimental game in 2007 at the University of Washington in Seattle, where the rims were raised to 11 feet. The biggest player, Boerwinkle, had the most difficulty, and the rebounds usually went over his head to one of the smaller players. Coach Tom Newell, who organised the event, concluded that "players passed to the post, cut to the basket and, when they went one-on-one on read/react plays, their jump hooks and turnarounds were the best percentage shots".
However, it is worth noting that some disagree with the idea of raising the rim height, arguing that it is unnecessary to change the game and that it would be too difficult to score.
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It would make the game more exciting
Raising the basketball rim to 12 feet would make the game more exciting for several reasons. Firstly, it would increase the difficulty of the game, especially for professional players who currently make three-pointers and dunks too easily. Raising the rim would make these shots more challenging and encourage players to develop new skills and strategies, such as shooting with a higher arc or using baby hooks. This would add an element of novelty and unpredictability to the game, making it more exciting for fans and spectators.
Secondly, raising the rim would bring shorter players back into a position of relative value. Their shots would be less likely to be blocked, and they would have a better chance at rebounds as the ball would bounce farther away from the rim. This would level the playing field between taller and shorter players, making the game more competitive and exciting.
Additionally, raising the rim could help eliminate congestion underneath the basket. As rebounds would bounce out farther, players would have more space to move and strategize, leading to more dynamic and unpredictable gameplay. This would also reduce the physicality and congestion often seen near the basket, potentially reducing the risk of injuries.
Furthermore, raising the rim would be a return to the roots of basketball, which was not originally conceived as a dunking contest. By making dunking more difficult, the focus would shift back to shooting and fundamental basketball skills. This would encourage players to develop a more well-rounded set of abilities, making the game more technically exciting and showcasing a broader range of athletic talents.
Lastly, raising the rim has been experimentally proven to have positive effects. In experimental games with raised rims, participants and observers noted improved spacing, more passing, and better shot selection. These changes resulted in more dynamic and strategic gameplay, which would undoubtedly add excitement and intrigue for fans and players alike.
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It would increase the importance of shooting
The idea of raising the basketball rim to 12 feet is not new. It has been debated for several years, with some arguing that it would make the game more challenging and exciting to watch.
One of the key arguments in favour of raising the rim to 12 feet is that it would increase the importance of shooting. This argument suggests that raising the rim would make it harder for players to simply dunk the ball and encourage a more diverse range of shots. With a higher rim, players would need to rely more on their shooting accuracy and technique rather than just their height or ability to jump high.
For instance, smaller players would have an increased advantage. Their shots would be less likely to be blocked as they would be shooting with a higher arc, making it harder for defenders to reach. Additionally, rebounds would likely bounce farther away from the rim, giving smaller players a better chance to retrieve them.
Furthermore, raising the rim could reduce the congestion near the basket, as players would need to create more space to shoot effectively. This would open up the game and allow for more strategic play and teamwork, rather than relying solely on individual athleticism or height.
While some may argue that shooting accuracy would suffer with a higher rim, others disagree. They argue that players would quickly adjust to the new height, and that the muscles of the eyes can easily accommodate changes in height.
In summary, raising the basketball rim to 12 feet would significantly increase the importance of shooting in the game. It would encourage a more diverse range of shots, benefit smaller players, and promote more strategic and open gameplay. While there may be some adjustments in shooting accuracy, players would likely adapt quickly, and the overall benefits could lead to a more dynamic and exciting style of basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
Raising the rim height to 12 feet would eliminate the advantage that taller players have over shorter ones. It would also reduce the number of dunks, which some people believe makes the game less challenging to watch.
Some people argue that the game has evolved and that the game played above the rim is the most exciting aspect of basketball. They believe that raising the rim height would damage the brand of the NBA. Additionally, the majority of coaches are against changing the height of the rim.
Some people have suggested raising the rim to 11 feet, while others have suggested raising it to 20 feet.
Some people have suggested that the rim height could vary depending on the level of play, with lower heights for high school and higher heights for the NBA. Others have suggested that the size of the rim could be changed, making it wider or narrower.
