By InsideHoops.com

InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner met with the legendary Jack Ramsey before the start of a recent New Jersey Nets game and discussed the state of the league.

InsideHoops.com: Can talk about the major changes you've seen the pro game undergo over the last decade or two, both offensively and defensively - whatever the biggest things you've seen are?

Jack Ramsey: I think the biggest thing is the sophistication of the defenses. When I first came in the NBA, it was more of a one-on-one kind of defense, with perhaps an intimidating shot-blocker like Bill Russell or Wilt Chamberlain, who would cover up for the perimeter players. They would play a team-defensive game in that sense, but today it's all team defense. The rotation of weak-side players to the ball, and the constant covering for players within that structure. Now, with the change in the rules last year, you can really play a zone defense, so long as you observe the three-second count in the paint. And on offense, where you used to have one big guy who would play the post, now even the point-guards post up. Not as much running today as in the past, but more attention to team structure on the offense.

InsideHoops.com: And logic suggests that's why the league's shooting percentages have gone down, not that the players can't shoot, but due to improved team defenses...

Jack Ramsey: Right. Team defenses are tougher, and there aren't the opportunities to run as there have been in the past. So consequently, you get into more of a half-court game, which yields tougher shots for the offense, and shooting percentages have dipped because of it.

InsideHoops.com: And I can't envision that changing...

Jack Ramsey: I can't either, because the rules have been changed to try to enhance scoring, and it hasn't happened.

InsideHoops.com: Is there any one rule that you would suggest changing?

Jack Ramsey: I would like to see the European, the international rule for the wide lane down below on the baseline. The problem with that is you should also widen the court, and in the NBA, because of the seating structures, it's not going to be possible to do that. So I think that would give the same game played all around the world. I think that would be good for basketball.


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