I know what’s bothering you. You are thinking about what happens if you break a backboard. Well, don’t think anymore because after reading the following words your confusion will run away like Usain Bolt.
How? Well, this article has the answer to your every question from what happens if you break backboards to how NBA players get paid for breaking backboards.
So, let’s move on from here and find out what happens if you break a backboard right in the below section.
What Happens If You Break a Backboard?
What happens if you break a backboard? Okay, picture this: You have broken the backboard while playing basketball. What’s the first thing that came to your mind? Broken glasses nah?
Yes, breaking a backboard is fun, but it has some severe consequences. Those lil’ pieces of sharp glass can scatter and cause injuries to the surroundings.
Additionally, it will give a “Fullstop” to the game. And what can be more irritating than stopping basketball in the middle of the game? It can decrease the craze.
Not only that, players can be fined for damaging the equipment and other interruptions.
And to know about more interesting and unknown things about breaking backboards, why don’t you walk with me in the following sections?
History of Backboard Breakages
The history of backboard breakages has some of the most iconic and memorable moments in the history of the NBA. It’s kind of a must-have for every season.
Those mesmerizing dunks and crazy shattering backboards are something that you can compare to the Viking’s deeds to England.
This thing is like magic in the game and part and parcel of the basketball game that showcases the amazing athleticism that makes the fans super excited.
Now, let’s see some notable instances of backboards shattering below.
Notable Instances of Backboard Shattering
Some of the best moments are listed as the best incidents of backboard shattering. And those legendary moments are:
1. Chuck Connors (1946):
Chuck Connors is the pro basketball player who shattered a backboard for the first time. At Boston Garden in 1946, during a pre-game warm-up session, he did this breaking stuff to the poor backboard.
And that happened because of his powerful jump shot. He just jumped and sent the glass flying. From then till now, it has become a trend, or you can call it the beginning of a new era in NBA history.
2. Gus Johnson (1960s-1970s):
Do you know what fans call Gus? “Mr. Backboard.” Yes, it is! Why? Because of his thunderous dunks. Throughout his amazing career, he has shown his tremendous ability to deliver powerful dunks as an awesome power forward for the Baltimore Bullets.
History says that he did break the backboard three times during his career and put his name as one of the coolest dunkers ever in the NBA.
3. Darryl Dawkins (1970s):
Another notorious backboard breaker, indeed. Nicknamed as the “Chocolate Thunder,” who was famous for his flamboyant dunks.
His record was breaking five backboards during his whole career. Though there is an infamous incident of him where he breaks a backboard. That happened while he was playing at the Spectrum in Philodohia in 1975. He did have to pay a $5,000 fine for doing this.
4. Shaquille O’Neal (1990s):
Who doesn’t know about this legendary player? I bet no basketball fan can deny this dominant center known as “Shaq” for his incomparable power and explosiveness during the games.
And his super dunks were too much for backboards that they barely absorb them. If we searched for his breaking backboard moments, then we would find his prominent shattering moments.
One was in 1993 while playing for the Orlando Magic, and the other one happened while he was smashing with the Phonix sun in 1993.
How Much Do You Get Fined for Breaking The Backboard?
There are a few things that authorities consider before fining a player for breaking the backboard. So, before we delve into the discussion of how much do you get fined for breaking the backboard, we should learn about those few things first.
What are they? Let’s find out here:
1. Matters How It Happened
It really does matter how the backboard breaks. Because if you accidentally break the backboard, then you will be fined less than breaking it intentionally.
For example, think about Darryl Dawkins. As I mentioned before, he was charged $5,000 for shattering the backboard intentionally, which is way more than breaking the backboard.
2. Player’s Records of Breaking Backboards
If you or a player has a previous history of breaking backboards, then the authority may impose you fine a bit higher. Why? League sees this as a token of carelessness about safety.
3. League Rules
The fine you get depends on which league you are playing. Because different leagues have different rules for this issue.
4. Damages
If you cause massive damage to the backboard, your fine will be higher. That’s it. Simple!
Simple Guide to Fines
As we already covered those few things that we should consider before learning about fines, it’s high time to learn about fines now.
Here’s a simple guide to fines:
- Accidental Break: $500 – $2,500
- Intentional Break: $5,000 – $25,000
- Repeat Offender: $10,000 – $50,000
Wait, wait! We haven’t finished yet. Yes, besides fines, you might face other punishments too. Such as:
- Suspension:
You might be banned from playing a few games.
- Community Services:
Oh, this is an interesting one. Why am I saying that? Because you might be ordered to help the community by doing work for them.
- Losing Sponsorship:
And here comes the severe punishment. You might lose the deals with companies. What can be worse than that?
Can NBA Backboards Still Break?
The answer is yes, it can break. But occurrences have decreased over time as The National Basketball Association has taken several steps to prevent this breaking backboard thing to save the players from getting injured.
And thanks to modern technology. It plays the main role in reducing the number of backboards breaking. What are those advancements in technology? Find ‘em below:
1. Breakaway Rims
This was introduced in 1976. It has the feature of breaking away when it faces any hard dunks. In this way, it absorbs the effect of the dunk and saves the backboard from shattering.
2. Thicker Backboards
In modern days, backboards have become thicker and stronger. They are super tough and have the ability to handle some serious action.
3. Tempered Glass
Are you familiar with termed glass? Of course, you are. How? The glass you are using to protect your phone is tempered glass. These glasses are special. It doesn’t break easily.
NBA Rules for Preventing Backboards Breaking
Apart from the technology, the rules of the NBA have a big impact on preventing the breaking of backboards. Here are the rules:
- Players are now strictly prohibited from practicing or performing dunks during the warm-up session.
- You will get a technical foul if the authority finds you being too wild while dunking. It’s a kind of penalty, you can call it.
- Big fines are one of the effective rules of the NBA for stopping players from doing unnecessary dunking.
- Frequent checkups and fixing the backboards during games have decreased the number of shattering them into ashes.
Is It Illegal to Slap a Backboard?
Well, technically, it isn’t illegal to slap a backboard. It’s considered as a violation. And the cause of it can be up to penalties.
Here’s a breakdown of the consequences of slapping the backboard:
Rules:
- NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) says that players can’t slap the backboard intentionally or can’t do such things that can cause the rim to vibrate during the games according to Rule 10-4-4(B).
- NCAA, I mean the National Collegiate Athletic Association, says in their rule 4-4-4 that a player is prohibited from contacting with the backboard in a way that may seem like they are slapping or striking, which may cause vibration in the rim.
- According to the National Basketball Association (NBA), Rule 12-II-I states that a player shouldn’t slap the backboard while the ball is up in the air, or it’s touching the backboard.
Penalties:
Slapping the backboard means violating the rules. So you have to face a technical foul, which is like a penalty in basketball. And what can be more disastrous than that? Your opponent’s team will score as they get one free throw and keep the ball.
Has Michael Jordan Ever Broken a Backboard?
Yes! Michael Jordan has broken a backboard once. It was the month of August, and the date was 25. Michael Jordan, the legend, broke a backboard in a Nike exhibition game in Trieste, Italy.
He was mighty and known for his electrifying dunks. And that day, his dunk was so hard that the poor backboard couldn’t resist the power and shattered into pieces.
How did Shaq break backboards?
Shaquille O’Neal, aka Shaq, in his early years, broke several backboards. His incredible strength and power used to make him dunk like a bull. And this intolerable power led to backboards shattering.
One of the most famous incidents of breaking a backboard happened when he was playing against the New Jersey Nets in 1992. While playing, Shaq shows his inhuman strength by pulling the rim off the backboard and shattering it.
Throughout his career, he broke 12 backboards. But only two of them occurred during NBA games.
Why are NBA Backboards Glass?
Well, that’s a good question. The NBA uses glass backboards for a number of reasons. Find out why in the below discussion:
1. Transparency
The first reason why NBA backboards are made of glass is that it’s transparent. It helps the spectators see the game clearly from every angle. It’s also a game changer for the fans who sit behind the backboard as they can have a clear viewing experience.
2. Durability
So, as we have learned, transparency is important, and what can be more durable and reliable than glass? And as the NBA has developed its strategies with glass, it is now using tempered glass, which is extremely strong and shatter-resistant.
3. Bounce
Glass has a quality. It can provide a stable and predictable bounce for the basketball. Through this gaming experience remains flawless and ensures a fair game for all players.
4 Tradition
Using glass backboards is a tradition. They have been used from the beginning for the basketball game. So, this can also be a reason behind the NBA’s use of a glass backboard.
Did LeBron ever break a backboard?
Yes, he did. In 2013, LeBron broke a backboard during a match between Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics. He dunked so damn good that the backboard fell apart. Fans were witnessing the glass flying. And the game was delayed for his hard dunk.
In 2022, LeBron again shattered the backboard while playing with his son, Bronny. And he confirmed that by funny tweet.
Do NBA Players Get Paid For Breaking Backboards?
Wait! What? Getting paid for breaking the backboard? Nope! This is not gonna happen. Even they get fined for doing that. But what I’m going to tell you will surely blow your mind.
What’s that? Okay, It’s kind of an external profit thing. How? Take a look at the following interesting facts and learn how.
1. People Know Them More:
People love to break the rules. And they can connect to a player as a fan more when they find this quality in them. It’s like attention-grabbing. And when a player gets that limelight, brands, and companies run after them.
2. Getting Famous Online:
I am sure, if you are a die-hard fan of basketball, you have searched breaking backboard videos on the internet once in your life. Even if you didn’t search, it comes to your newsfeed anyway. Because these kinds of crazy videos go viral quickly. So, players become famous online automatically.
3. More Fans, More Money:
More viral videos mean more fans and more fans mean more money. How? When a player becomes famous, more people want to see him playing live. And that leads to seeing a good number of ticket sales and merchandise. And through this process, they earn a large amount of money.
4. Increase Opportunities With Brands:
So when a player has fans and people are spending their money to see him, then comes the brands. And brand collaboration is the main money-making process of the players. You, me, and everyone know that.
FAQs
Q1: Is it still possible to shatter a backboard?
A: Yes, it’s still breakable. But that scenario is rare now for using advanced technology to make the backboard more durable and stable.
Q2: What is the size of the NBA backboard?
A: The NBA backboard’s official size is 6 feet (72 inches) in width and 3.5 feet (42 inches) in height.
Q3: How many backboards did Shaquille O’Neal break in his NBA career?
A: In his rookie season with the Orlando Magic, Shaquille O’Neal broke backboards. However, the number of breaking the backboard in his NBA career is probably “two.”
Conclusion
And now, here we are at the end of our wonderful journey of learning “What happens if you break a backboard.” Now we know how thrilling it is to break a glass. We have also known its bittersweet consequences.
If we again take a look back at what we have discussed, we will find players’ fines, game pausing, the history of backboard breakages, and the prominent players breaking backboard incidents.
Hope now you have a clear concept about the player’s losses and the indirect benefits of breaking backboards. Therefore, if any day you consider breaking backboards, don’t forget about what happens if you break a backboard. Adios mate!