"IF YOU COULD CARRY THE BALL LIKE THE GUARDS DO TODAY, THAT'S A HUGE ADVANTAGE" - B.J. ARMSTRONG TALKS ABOUT HOW GUARD PLAY HAS CHANGED
Discussions about play in historical eras and the present have persisted throughout history. The old-timers often talk about how the game was played differently in their time, while contemporaries have their own opinions on the evolution of the sport. One such conversation took place recently when B.J. Armstrong, a former NBA champion who now works as an agent, shared his thoughts on guard play.
Armstrong discussed how guards today have a huge advantage with the way they can handle the ball. In the past, strict rules and regulations were enforced to prevent players from carrying or palming the ball during dribbling. However, as time passed and new players emerged, these rules became less strictly enforced.
This has led to a significant shift in guards' play style. With more leniency in how players handle the rock, guards are now more bold and creative in their ball handling, allowing them to easily get past defenders and create scoring opportunities.
Shift in rule enforcement
To be fair to the NBA and the sport itself, the rules haven’t changed at all. By definition, players aren’t supposed to carry the ball. According to Armstrong, who was a vital part of the Chicago Bulls’ first “three-peat” squad led by His Airness, Michael Jordan, NBA officiating has changed dramatically through the years.
“What's really significant is the refereeing has really changed. So I started watching Allen Iverson, and then I went to watch the Dallas Mavericks, and I said, ‘Oh Kyrie, he carries the ball,’” the one-time All-Star shared. “And then I went and watched Jamal Crawford. I was like, that's about the time he really started changing when Jamal Crawford and these guys kind of got in.”
While Armstrong’s opinion is highly regarded, one must remember that the NBA is a vehicle for entertainment. The fewer the whistles of these supposed “carrying” and “traveling” violations, the more exciting the game becomes for viewers. This leniency allows players like Kyrie Irving and Ja Morant to perform jaw-dropping ball wizardry that regularly draws oohs and ahhs from the crowd.
A huge advantage
Armstrong furthered his point by saying that the lack of whistles on these dribbling violations affords current players a huge advantage over the defense.
“If you could carry the ball like the guards do today, that's a huge advantage. I'm not saying it's right. I'm not saying it's wrong. I'm just saying the previous generation wasn't allowed to play that way because of the refereeing of the game,” B.J. added.
To Armstrong’s point, can you imagine having the likes of Isiah Thomas, Mark Price, and Sleepy Floyd carry the ball on every possession? Think of all the points these quick and crafty players would have racked up if they could use the same moves that guards today are allowed to get away with.
“The biggest change has been the interpretation of the rules of the game. Like carrying, you'll see a call every now and then. But mostly, you weren't allowed to do that in the previous generations,” Armstrong asserted.
The former Bulls ace has a valid point regarding the stark difference in how NBA basketball is being officiated now. From the slow-paced, physical play of the 80s and 90s to today's high-scoring, high-flying style, the game has constantly adapted and changed, and so have the players.
2024-04-19T18:25:37Z dg43tfdfdgfd