Striving to ensure no person is deprived of the sight, sound and feeling of a shot that is "All Net!"
That's the "Why,"part of it. Been playing basketball a long time and the only thing that bothered me more than not being able to dunk anymore is going to an outdoor court and finding either a torn, woeful looking net, or none at all. Trying to stay relevant athletically at 61 is no easy task...
A basketball rim with a net offers possibilities. The word "swish," a verb, is defined as "to sink (a shot) without the ball touching the backboard or rim." A well shot basketball, with some backspin, especially from distance, offers an opportunity to witness this perfection. No net, no swish, simple as that. Like Picasso without a canvas on which to create...such is the basket "baller," staring at a rim without a net.
However, there are practical reasons as well. It is just difficult to tell sometimes if the ball has actually gone through the hoop when there is no net attached. Did that last shot win the pick-up game at the park, or was it an air ball? How do you solve this situation? Do over? Paper, scissors, rock?
A net on that rim would have made it simple, did the ball go in? Yes or No. All solutions should be so succint and require such little effort. I am almost forced to do this out of a sense of duty, however, I accept my role willingly and hope that it qualifies me as a good example for my son, Eric, now 17 and my partner in crime in this endeavor.