Wabi-sabi of basketball: or, "inferior" is better (sometimes)

[Jaydumo20]

My NBA only friends, upon being asked whether they are watching the ncaa tourneys, will usually respond with some form of the following:
"I'd rather watch the best in the world play".

At face value, this argument makes sense. I'm having a blast watching the NBA this year (at least the playoffs).

But when it comes to which style of ball I prefer, I defer to the Japanese notion of appreciating imperfection: Wabi-Sabi.
The imperfect in this case would clearly be college basketball.

Now there are extremes- really bad basketball is not good at all, neither is a hypothetical game where every shot goes in. But during the very good NO vs. OKC game last night, I noticed that I got the most excited during the "scoreless" portions of the game. When baskets are at a premium, for whatever reason, I enjoy watching it more. For those of you who go to AAU events, watching raw kids is almost more exhilarating than watching them when they mature years later.

This love of the "imperfect" is seen in all facets of life: for those of us who'd rather listen to Tom Waits over Andrea Bocelli, or drink an original coors instead of a fox farms, the imperfect is more relatable.

At times better is better- I do prefer MLB to college baseball (although the little world series is incredible).

But it's in CBB that I love this the most: I love that not everyone is 6'4" or taller: I love that free throws are iffy and I love big men who like to roam the paint instead of the logo; I love 3 point "specialists" because they are actually "special". You get my drift.

There is no right answer, but if perfection were really better, we'd be camping outside the lincoln Center instead of Indio.

 

[ibleedhuskyblue]

Just like in college, there is plenty of good and bad basketball being played in the NBA. Some teams are totally unwatchable, and others are can't miss TV.

Can't miss UConn, can't watch UVA

Can't miss OKC, can't watch Detroit/washington/portland

 

[mussels]

Good post.

Somehow one of my fondest memories of UConn hoops is Roscoe Smith launching desperate shot over the backboard with 11 seconds still left in the game.

the imperfect has its own asthetic - a reminder that the game is played by humans not machines

 

[shizzle787]

The NBA stylistically is awful. I haven’t really watched in about 15 years and I’m not alone. Viewership is down almost 50% since when Jordan retired.

 

[Waquoit]

The NBA stylistically is awful. I haven’t really watched in about 15 years and I’m not alone. Viewership is down almost 50% since when Jordan retired.

I thought it was worse stylistically when Jordan played.

 

[TheShot1990]

100% agree with you that NCAA way more enjoyable to watch and it is the imperfections and youth that attracts me to college ball. I argue with a guy in the office that the NBA players are "too good" and almost boring to watch. He counters with "watching kids pass the ball round the top of the key and then launching a long 3-pointer is boring. Of course I counter with "watch UConn then."

 

[auror]

You have this one backwards

or drink an original coors instead of a fox farms,

Coors is mass produced to exacting perfection. Craft breweries are a couple guys and mismatched equipment.

 

[jojipoji]

Too pensive and articulate for the boneyard. Know your audience.

 

[Waquoit]

I agree with the OP. As long as the level-of-play is of a high enough quality to enjoy the game, that's good enough especially if I have a rooting interest. For instance, my favorite soccer club is not in the Top 600 in the world but even if they were on TV against El Classico I would still watch them.

 

[Tenspro2002]

My 6-year-old daughter is sad that the college basketball season is over and that she doesn't care for "grownup basketball."

 

[nomar]

The NBA stylistically is awful. I haven’t really watched in about 15 years and I’m not alone. Viewership is down almost 50% since when Jordan retired.

Viewership of practically everything with historically high ratings is down. There are a billion channels/streaming options. The days of half the country watching M*A*S*H are over.

If you haven't watched in 15 years than you're completely disqualified to comment on this. The game is totally different than it was.

The athletes and performances are incredible. The defense is great -- the offense is just better. Anybody who says otherwise is basing their opinion on a superficial review of box scores.

That said, watching this UConn team, with this offense, play was more fun than I've ever had watching any NBA team. (Although the Celtics are super fun to watch, too: 5 guys on the floor who can shoot and pass.)

So I love UConn. And I'll always want to watch them first. And I do love good college basketball. But I think the average NBA product beats the average MCBB product. It's just a matter of preference, but I'd rather watch, say the Knicks play the Mavs than WVU play TCU.

It used to be the opposite; I used to prefer college basketball to the NBA. But I think the quality of play has improved in the NBA since the all-iso days and there's been a talent drain in MCBB.

Not a popular opinion here but there it is.

 

[ctchamps]

Interesting post @Jaydumo20.

More interesting given we just observed an almost perfect execution of play by our team this season. I follow this team with more passion than any other team or sport. So my hope is they don't play wabi-sabi but play close to perfection each and every year.

I watch figure skating because my wife loves it and she and I have stretched our early life preferences by watching each others interests. She's now every bit as passionate over the UConn mens bb team as I am. We just watched Ilia Malinin win the world skating championship by being the first person to jump six different quads in a competition. He's the only person in the world who can do a quad axel. It would be like a player doing a complete 720 before dunking. The interval of time to twist four revolutions in the air is something like 1.2 seconds. Math nerds might be able to understand the rotational speed and forces on landing to appreciate the success. Since I cannot walk on ice without falling, never mind skate, I'm awed. This was Usain Bolt, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods incredible perfection. But there is no contest in the amount of excitement and reward my wife and I got from that event versus UConn's season and championship.

As far as music goes I'd listen to Janis Joplin any time over Josh Groban. Her imperfect voice moves my soul every time I listen to her.

 

[Jaydumo20]

Interesting post @Jaydumo20.

More interesting given we just observed an almost perfect execution of play by our team this season. I follow this team with more passion than any other team or sport. So my hope is they don't play wabi-sabi but play close to perfection each and every year.

I watch figure skating because my wife loves it and she and I have stretched our early life preferences by watching each others interests. She's now every bit as passionate over the UConn mens bb team as I am. We just watched Ilia Malinin win the world skating championship by being the first person to jump six different quads in a competition. He's the only person in the world who can do a quad axel. It would be like a player doing a complete 720 before dunking. The interval of time to twist four revolutions in the air is something like 1.2 seconds. Math nerds might be able to understand the rotational speed and forces on landing to appreciate the success. Since I cannot walk on ice without falling, never mind skate, I'm awed. This was Usain Bolt, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods incredible perfection. But there is no contest in the amount of excitement and reward my wife and I got from that event versus UConn's season and championship.

As far as music goes I'd listen to Janis Joplin any time over Josh Groban. Her imperfect voice moves my soul every time I listen to her.

Well said. There are certain things where the near perfect is great. A perfect ice skating routine is beauty.
One of my favorite jazz bands is "The Yellowjackets". They're as precise as they come. But I also love Albert Ayler and free jazz guys. You nailed it with JJ.

 

[nomar]

Well said. There are certain things where the near perfect is great. A perfect ice skating routine is beauty.
One of my favorite jazz bands is "The Yellowjackets". They're as precise as they come. But I also love Albert Ayler and free jazz guys. You nailed it with JJ.

I've always been able to accept the "imperfections" of CBB and what's always made CBB so special is how much the games matter, compared to so many NBA regular season games. Nothing worse than going to an NBA game and a big star isn't playing due to load management.

 

[boog204]

Good post.

Somehow one of my fondest memories of UConn hoops is Roscoe Smith launching desperate shot over the backboard with 11 seconds still left in the game.

the imperfect has its own asthetic - a reminder that the game is played by humans not machines

Everyone forgets that he actually did it a second time, too... Can't remember the game and it wasn't as ridiculous. But he did it a second time.

 

[nomar]

Everyone forgets that he actually did it a second time, too... Can't remember the game and it wasn't as ridiculous. But he did it a second time.

Roscoe Smith's Attempt At A Buzzer-Beater Was The Worst Since Roscoe Smith

UConn's Roscoe Smith, famed for this ludicrously early buzzer-beater last season, let another ball go near the end—but not at the end—of the first half in the Huskies' 8-9 matchup against Iowa State in Louisville. It wasn't as ridiculous as his attempt against Texas, but it was close. [TBS]

deadspin.com

 

[Icehawk]

I've always preferred CFB over the NFL and only ever watched CBB, because of, as you say, the wabi-sabi of it all. Good enough to be good to watch but just inexperienced enough to add some spice.