Tom Tuchscher

Special to the Mirror

   Is this what the game has become? James Naismith would be appalled if he were alive to see what his vision created. Basketball has lost some of its luster, much to my great disappointment. I did love this game. From the time a kid begins to dribble the ball in his driveway, through junior leagues and high school and college, all the way to the NBA, basketball has become an individualistic dance played for style points, seemingly with little regard for teamwork and winning. Fancy dribbling and awkward, off-balanced lay-ups with "cool looking" backboard slaps (because players cannot dunk) have replaced the solid fundamentals of passing, blocking out, triple-threat position and hustle.

   On Thursday night, the local high school basketball summer league, run by Palisades High Coach James Bellina, neared its conclusion. At 6 p.m., Hamilton High played Beverly Hills High in the most lopsided game of the night. It was 31 to 6 at half time and 63 to 27 when the final buzzer sounded. In their defense, B.H. fielded only five players, most of whom seemed intimidated by the bigger and more athletic Hamilton squad. Their problems were compounded by poor execution on offense and defense along with the inability of the Beverly High team to effectively break Hamilton's full court press, which was mercifully taken off after the half. Even when the press was broken, there were usually at least four Hamilton players back on defense. When B.H. eventually got a shot off, a trio of Hamilton players would box-out for the rebound while the guards prevented quick outlets and fast breaks. It’s too early to tell for sure, but the Hamilton squad seems poised to do some damage this season.

   But Hamilton High's performance was not indicative of the rest of the evening. At 7 p.m. Palisades played University High in a most lamentable basketball spectacle. I've seen less trash talking and mouthing off at Venice Beach on Saturday mornings. Both teams lacked movement and cohesive offensive and defensive strategies. The players always took the first opening, whether it was a one on one move, a drive, or a three pointer. There was little passing and screening and because of this, easy buckets were non-existent.

   Judging from this performance, neither Palisades nor University will be able to score consistently against good defensive teams. As it was, Palisades made its shots and demolished Uni 63 to 45. Or was the final score 65 to 63 in favor of University as the scoreboard indicated when I looked up seconds after the buzzer sounded. Maybe University did indeed win the game. Maybe they hit a clutch 18 pointer when I wasn't looking.

   But the most detestable aspect of Thursday night was not the lack of sound basketball fundamentals. It was the lack of respect for teammates, opponents, referees, coaches, fans, and Naismith's game itself demonstrated by the players. Both games were marred by multiple technical fouls and trash talking including profanity laced tirades directed at referees. Showboating is one thing, but open vulgarity and disrespect are not acceptable. What did the coaches do about it? Not much. Without making too harsh and too generalizing a comment, it seemed they cared more about winning than teaching.

   When I walked into the gym a half an hour before tip-off, Coach Bellina was working out individually with one of his players, offering help on footwork fundamentals, catching the ball, squaring up, and getting a smooth release on the shot. He is open to helping his players to understand the game. But in watching him coach, he seemed resigned to accepting the primacy of the individualistic dance that basketball has become over the solid fundamentals of offensive teamwork of the game played at its higher levels. Just by watching the NBA, one can see why the team game is going extinct. Without a strong concept of "team," basketball becomes a game of athleticism.

   The Palisades team was more athletic than the Uni team, and the Hamilton team was more athletic than the Beverly Hills team. Hamilton also played well as a team, but they were the exception, not the rule. How should the coaches handle it? They need to crack the whip and sit their star players.

   Years ago, but nevertheless in the not so distant past, I played alongside the leading scorer in Orange County. During a big game against our cross-town rivals the "leading scorer" hit a big three pointer and ran back down the court high-fiving the fans and making six-shooter hand gestures when he should have been in his proper spot in the press. For his showboating, the leading scorer in O.C. sat. I remember it so well because I, and my 3 point a game average, replaced him.

   Even though this is only a summer league, these attitudes cannot help but indicate future trends for the local high school basketball teams. Come this season, we shall see how much discipline the coaches can instill in their players, and how much fundamental basketball can be relearned.