One single question that more than likely is complex to answer. So, let’s fast break this question down into some simple, real-time basketball observations to see if we can score a conclusion:
Observation #1: The Game of Basketball HAS NOT Changed
Basketball is a team sport. It is a game in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, compete with the primary objective of shooting a basketball through the defender’s hoop, while preventing the opposing team from shooting through their own hoop. That is the game of basketball: it has not changed since its creation over a 100 years ago and why it continues to have the longevity of play.
Observation #2: The Team Wins the Game of Basketball, not the Player(s)
Three teams are making their first Men’s Final Four appearance ever and no No. 1, No. 2 or even No. 3 seeds made the Final Four. This will also be the first time ever that the Men’s Final Four has NO former McDonald’s All-Americans. Additionally, there are no projected NBA lottery pick on the any of the four team rosters.
For the women’s Final Four, No. 2 Iowa defeated No. 1 South Carolina. True, based on the NCAA “upset criteria”, this is not an upset. However, many sport analysts and fans may disagree with that “upset” assessment. No. 1 SC Gamecocks (36-0) were the 2022 National Champions and were looking to become just the fifth program in history to have an undefeated, national championship winning season. On paper, the team numbers favored the Gamecocks over the Hawkeyes by 11+ points.
However, these Final Four teams are not a “fluke”. These eight teams earned their spots in the Final Four because they stayed true to the core of the game of basketball and played it like a team sport. Yes, there are individual or dynamic duo basketball players that are fun-to-watch, superstar players on each of the teams. But, if you have ever played, coached and/or studied the game of basketball (or any team sport), you understand that the key to winning the basketball game is whether the five players that are out on the court are collectively playing together and better as a team (vs the opposing five players of the opposite team).
Observation #3: Game > Business for Basketball
Here lies the crux of this equation. The Game of Basketball, like many sports, has been made into a Business, a BIG Business. This has had significant influence and impact to the rules, regulations, and processes for the Game over the years.
Growing up, I had a love for the game and was an avid fan. I followed the top collegiate men’s teams and recall every Saturday hoping CBS Sports would televise a top-ranked collegiate game or two. My favorites to watch were either the top-ranked Duke Blue Devils, Michigan Wolverines or UNLV Runnin’ Rebels. I loved watching these teams play with their agility, speed, precision and of course, a little bit of flare.
But, as time went on, my love for the game of basketball faded. I simply lost interest. The announcers, commercials, sponsors, promotions: most of it focused on the individual players of the team rather than the Game. It became clear to me that The Business > The Game of Basketball. This is why I lost interest and why my love for the game faded.
Scoring a Conclusion:
Yes, the 2023 March Madness has revived my love for the game of basketball. The 2023 March Madness has flipped the equation back to its original (Game > Business of Basketball). The Business is still clearly part of the Game but the Players have come together as a team to take the Game of Basketball to a level that revives the heart of why fans love this sport so much.
Agree or was there is a hard foul on the 2023 March Madness conclusion to reviving the fans for basketball? Comment here or visit heikesconsulting.com.
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