It seems to me that letting players grasp/hang on the rim is part of what caused this problem. There used to be an expectation that on a dunk the player didn't grab and pull the rim. That softened over time so that grabbing with some pull is the norm. Once players hold it, the kind of face plant becomes more likely.

While part of me (I'm not sure if its the "get off my lawn!" part or the "I could never dunk very well anyhow" part) wants to say that we could solve this better by going back in time and saying just don't grab the rim at all, the part of me that lives in the real world comes to terms with needing to be more accepting of letting them hang longer so that they land instead of face plant. (I can't get that video out of my head and never want to see one like that again.)

You make a fair point.

But I think the cat is out of the bag in terms of not allowing any grab or pull on the rim. I'm fine with things as is and am just going to continue to err on the side of letting them hang momentarily to protect themselves and issue Ts when its unwarranted and excessive.

If we want to change rules to address safety on plays attacking the basket I'd be more interested in adding a RA at the HS level. But that's a discussion for another day.

Change the rule. You can hang on the rim however long you want with out penalty but if you break it your team forfeits. :)

When it comes to momentum, it is always the player's choice/fault to hang on the rim. Every player knows their forward speed and they never need to hang on the rim for initial attacks at the basket. Dunking is all about choices at the rim. I found it to be a bit of sweet justice when the guy fell on his face. I certainly do not like to see people ever get hurt but his actions were not necessary and I guarantee that he has been grasping/hanging on rims ever since he could touch it, all for no reason other than to look cool. Dunking by default, at least for the last 30 years, always meant and means grasping the ring. Everyone has to hang a bit, retract the rim, swing, etc., again, all unnecessary acts that are chosen by the player, including myself. I have seen countless people fall awkwardly, again including myself, when grabbing the rim. It is all their own fault.

Certainly once at the rim, if someone decides to come under them, then indeed, hang for safety. I always prefer to land on the person, if a defender, and dole out some street, or court, justice.;)