Backboards

[Just Curious]

On backboards, a rectangular box is taped or painted just above the rim. When I was a kid, I was taught to use the box when doing lay-ups.
Does anyone actually know the real history behind this artwork that graces so many backboards? TIA

[BktBallRef]

Jurassic Referee thought it would be a good idea and Dr. Naismith agreed.

[Just Curious]

Originally posted by BktBallRef
Jurassic Referee thought it would be a good idea and Dr. Naismith agreed.

Thanks JR & Dr. N... Now that I'm armed with this supporting and obvious irrefutable evidence I can report back to my wife with your findings BBR!!!

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally posted by Just Curious

Thanks JR & Dr. N... Now that I'm armed with this supporting and obvious irrefutable evidence I can report back to my wife with your findings BBR!!!

You're welcome.

Give a man a fish and you'll feed him for a day.
Teach a man to fish and he'll wear a stoopid hat.

PS: Don't take BktBallRef too seriously. His motto is:

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally posted by Just Curious
On backboards, a rectangular box is taped or painted just above the rim. When I was a kid, I was taught to use the box when doing lay-ups.
Does anyone actually know the real history behind this artwork that graces so many backboards? TIA

If memory serves me correctly, going back many,many years when they switched from the fan-shaped wooden boards to the new and revolutionary rectangular, clear plexiglass boards, players were complaining about depth problems with their vision when shooting. The little box was painted on the clear boards to help the supposed depth problem, and also to stop the player's whining so they could sell more rectangular boards.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[Mark Dexter]

Originally posted by Jurassic Referee
If memory serves me correctly, going back many,many years when they switched from the fan-shaped wooden boards to the new and revolutionary rectangular, clear plexiglass boards, players were complaining about depth problems with their vision when shooting.

So, Jurassic, were there similar problems from your playing days when they switched from peach baskets to the fan-shaped backboard?

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally posted by Mark Dexter

So, Jurassic, were there similar problems from your playing days when they switched from peach baskets to the fan-shaped backboard?

Nope, we had big problems before we had actual backboards though. We had to poke the ball back up after every basket. We had 10 seconds to poke and then another 5 seconds for the throw-in.

Would I lie to you?

[Mark Dexter]

Originally posted by Jurassic Referee
Would I lie to you?

Yes!

Nope, we had big problems before we had actual backboards though. We had to poke the ball back up after every basket. We had 10 seconds to poke and then another 5 seconds for the throw-in.

I may have to e-mail DeNucci on this one. Next time he's up in his attic, I want him to get out the 1915 rulebooks!

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally posted by Mark Dexter

Yes!

Good call.

[ChuckElias]

Originally posted by Jurassic Referee
we had big problems before we had actual backboards though. We had to poke the ball back up after every basket.

That doesn't really explain why there are backboards, tho. That only explains why they got rid of baskets that didn't allow the ball to pass through.

I know why there are backboards, tho. Anybody interested?

[Adam]

Interested? No.

Curious? Absolutely.