Can NBA Teams "Fine" Players For NOT Dunking?

And 1 · Star Player Joined: 12 Apr 2001 Posts: 2586

Not officially, of course. But on the DL.

The idea crosses my mind every time I see:

A) Kwame get the ball down low and launch it off the backboard instead of dunking; and,

B) Lamar or B Cook grabbing an offensive rebound one foot away from the basket and passing it out to the perimeter without initially looking to take it up strong (though Cook did go up strong on one recent putback).

When taking into account FT opportunities that would surely be generated by strong putbacks and easy attempts from short distance, I think our bigmen are leaving at least six points per game on the table.

A couple of jobs ago, I worked at a place where profanity was commonly used by the employees. When a co-worker made an issue of it, someone came up with the idea of a "curse" jar whereby an offending party would be "required" (on the honor system) to donate some coinage for every outburst. The idea was seen as a method of addressing the problem without getting management involved.

Well, the "curse" jar didn't totally eliminate cursing in the office, but it did reduce its frequency as the usual suspects (myself included) were mindful of giving up extra change that could be used for the vending machines. The jar would be emptied quarterly and the money used for gag gifts.

I think the Lakers should set up a "dunk" jar.

Every time a player (say 6-10 and up) fails to attempt to dunk the ball, when it's clear that they should, should be "required" (through peer-pressure only) to contribute something ($100-$200) to the jar. Proceeds (which on this team figure to be plenty) could go to charity without fanfare.

As corny as it sounds, stuff like this catches on and might help with morale.

Thoughts?

Socks · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 11:59 am Post subject:

With you 100%

patmcfar8 · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 12:01 pm Post subject:

That's funny... and partially true. Maybe we can send some of our team to dunk school with Daryll Dawkins, Dominique and Shawn Kemp.

Socks · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 12:04 pm Post subject:

For every dunk a player fails to attempt, they should call them out in practice and line them up facing the wall. Each player on the team, including the ball boy, gets to peg a ball at their behind as hard as they can for each dunk they didn't attempt that they should've.

Forget the dunk jar, we're talkin' millionaires. We need to go after their pride and their rear ends.

And 1 · Star Player Joined: 12 Apr 2001 Posts: 2586

As a side note...

Though it hurts the team when he misses all those easy layups, Kwame's offensive routine is pure comic relief.

Rather than cursing, I find myself blurting outloud with laughter.

I know I can't be the only one.

LakerLegend · Star Player Joined: 10 Jun 2001 Posts: 1538

Hector the Pup · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 1:24 pm Post subject:

Fines won't work, only abject humiliation.

Just apply the same rules that are used in golf. If you can't drive past the women's tees, you have to finish the hole with your pants around your ankles.

Lakers 71-72 · Star Player Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 5059

You're going to make those guys so poor.

Lakers 71-72 · Star Player Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 5059

JerryWest_44 · Retired Number Joined: 22 May 2004 Posts: 25319

Kwame would be broke in less than a week.

LakersRGolden · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 2:02 pm Post subject:

Phonebook
Let them choose left or right.

koolruningz · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 5:20 pm Post subject:

Do it Mitch!

jmnluvr · Star Player Joined: 29 Nov 2001 Posts: 1649

Just a thought, but how realistic are the most popular NBA video games? I haven't played one in 10 years.

I mean, it would be pretty funny if video game Kwame pussed it up all the time the way real Kwame does. I imagine that it would be quite embarrasing for the athelete if say when someone tried to dunk with them in a video game, the video game player was unable to leave the floor, and they were unceremoniously swatted by a player 6 inches shorter...

That might provide suitable negative reinforcement.

sodapoppenski · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 5:53 pm Post subject:

:roll:

TEEGUNN · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 6:24 pm Post subject:

But would Stern allow Kwame to use "stickum" so that he actually could dunk???

_________________
"Why do you think bad things happen, anyway???" "So we have something good to look forward to."

Jake Speed, 1986

ElginBaylor · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 6:55 pm Post subject:

I think everytime a player 6'10" and up fails to dunk when they get the ball under the basket they need to buy the entire team a round of beers. Given the beer prices at most arenas around the country they could be hit pretty darn hard.

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6 · Sixth Man Joined: 05 Dec 2004 Posts: 54

F all this money talk. For each unattempted dunk, you have to stand under the rim with Kobe Bryant running at you, Dwight Howard style.

4 Pointer · Star Player Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 1424

I think some of it is them fearing they get stuffed..

lakeshow03 · Star Player Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 3078

lakerbadger · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 9:33 pm Post subject:

A dunk is not always the best shot... most of the time it is, but not all the time. The dunk is a powerful shot, but also a slow shot. The player has to prepare to jump, and get up in the air. A layup is sometimes the right shot to take. A quick layup is better than a dunk sometimes. It's possible to put up a strong shot with conviction without dunking.