College basketball is so much better than the NBA

College basketball is more down-to-earth than professional basketball. There’s no 24-second shot clock to contend with that practically obliterates the fundamentally sound principles of the game.

Young college players have more time on the shot clock to set up plays and work together as a team, change offensive and defensive techniques at the impulse from the coach, and develop positive attitudes and skills that lead some top-notched players to the pro ranks.

The only problem is, if they make it, they’ll be hanging onto dreams less intoxicating than their college days: an 80 or 90 game schedule, travelling here and there like gypsies, limited playing time, individualism at the highest level, a defensive system in name only, excessive dribbling that doesn’t make sense, and instead of more ball and body movement for the open shot near the basket, most newcomers will be standing around watching superstars “strut their stuff.”

While watching NBA games throughout the basketball season, the fancy dance players on shooting sprees remind me of pickup games played at playgrounds. There were sparks of intensity here and there at playgrounds, but the overall attitudes of working together as a team, of giving one’s all for the sake of winning was missing.

Having fun and keeping in shape during freefor-all games at the playground is fine and dandy, but in order to show star power, exhibit what it takes to become an allAmerican, and playing half-court games as though your life depended on it, was a quest only accomplished by the few.

So much for one of the breeding grounds for high school, college and professional basketball players. I feel sorry for those budding basketball stars that dropped out of Villanova before they had another chance to sock it to the best players and colleges in the nation.

By the looks of it, Villanova could, once again, become that powerhouse team to knock off the chosen few and capture the March Madness Crown, and cut down the basketball net that symbolizes NCAA Champions of America.

After all, one or two more years playing under an experienced and successful coach like Jay Wright would heighten the confidence level of the players, encourage them to reach their highest potential both offensively and defensively, and prepare those star players to “shoot the eyes out of the basket” with their 3-point bombs away shooting styles that professional coaches rely on for winning games and capturing the NBA Crown.

Let’s face it, modernday professional basketball was designed to increase attendance, revolutionize legendary basketball into a new sport called Hollywood Showtime, bring in big bucks for players, coaches and owners, and the belief that pro ball is all about making baskets-and not much more.