I got invited to play basketball with a group of guys last week.
As I found out, basketball has changed in the seven years I didn’t play.
Back when I played, when you beat your man to the basket, he didn’t hit you in the back of the head or grab your arms to keep you from scoring in a PICKUP game. But now, apparently there is a great deal of shame in letting a 41-year old white guy score on you. But if you assault him, you keep your dignity, I guess.
Also, the current offensive scheme of choice is to dribble around until you can’t score or shoot from some impossible distance or angle and then stop and look around to pass the ball. Gone are the days of looking for someone to cut to the basket. So, to sum up, it’s four guys standing around while one guy plays offense.
And the guy with the keys to the gym takes the most shots, tells you who to guard and monopolizes the basketball.
Unless I find some “old school” guys that play, I’m going back into retirement.
