When Was the Last NBA Backboard Broken?
Contents
- When was the last NBA backboard broken?
- What caused the backboard to break?
- How often do backboards break in the NBA?
- What are the consequences of a backboard breaking?
- How do players react when a backboard breaks?
- What are the fans’ reactions when a backboard breaks?
- How does the NBA feel about backboards breaking?
- What are the possible solutions to prevent backboards from breaking?
- What are the odds of a backboard breaking during an NBA game?
- What are the historical significance of backboards breaking in the NBA?
The answer may surprise you. The last NBA backboard was broken during a game on April 7, 2018.
When was the last NBA backboard broken?
The last time an NBA backboard was broken was during a game between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers on April 2, 2013. Rockets player Terrence Jones dunked the ball so hard that it shattered the backboard.
What caused the backboard to break?
The backboard was broken due to a slam dunk by Shaquille O’Neal.
How often do backboards break in the NBA?
Backboards were made of wood until 1906, when a 10-foot steel framed backboard was introduced by a company called Four Square. In 1950, the NBA increased the size of the backboard to 72” by 42”. Between 1950 and 1967 backboards were made primarily from glass. shatter-proof glass was installed in all NBA arenas in 1977, after Darryl Dawkins shattered two backboards with slam dunks in 1979.
The last glass backboard was broken on April 23, 2006 by Shaquille O’Neal of the Miami Heat during a Playoff Game against the New Jersey Nets The game was halted for 20 minutes while arena workers replaced the backboard. No one has broken an NBA regulation backboard since.
In 2016, Kristaps Porzingis of the New York Knicks broke a mini-backboard during pre-game warmups. These 54” by 36” backs are placed behind each basket during pre-game and halftime warmups as well as during timeouts and broadcast breaks in game action.
What are the consequences of a backboard breaking?
In basketball, a backboard is a piece of equipment used to support a net during the game. Backboards are usually made of tempered glass or acrylic, and they come in different sizes and shapes. According to the NBA, the backboard must be 6 feet wide and 42 inches tall, with a white border around the edge. Backboards can be either flat or angled; most are angled because it makes it easier for players to shoot the ball into the basket.
The backboard is an important part of the game, but it’s not indestructible. Every now and then, a player will take a shot that’s so powerful that it shatters the backboard. This usually happens when a player dunking the ball hits the rim of the basket too hard. When this happens, the game has to be stopped so that crews can clean up the broken glass and replace the backboard.
Broken backboards are rare, but they do happen from time to time. The most famous instance occurred in 1979, when Julius Erving (also known as “Dr. J”) of the Philadelphia 76ers hit the rim so hard with a dunk that he broke the backboard. The game had to be stopped for 30 minutes while crews replaced the backboard.
More recently, in 2009, Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic hit the rim so hard with a dunk that he actually bent the metal support beam that holds up the backboard. Luckily, crews were able to straighten out the beam and replace the broken glass without having to stop the game.
So what are some of consequences of a backboard breaking during an NBA game? First of all, it creates quite a mess. There’s broken glass everywhere, which takes some time to clean up. Second, it interrupts play and can sometimes cause delays in games. And finally, it’s expensive to replace a backboard (and other related equipment), so teams have to pay for repairs out of their own pocket.
How do players react when a backboard breaks?
When an NBA backboard shatters, players react in a variety of ways. Some are confused, some are scared, and some see it as an opportunity to take their game to the next level.
One of the most famous backboard-breaking incidents occurred in 1985, when New Jersey Nets player Darryl Dawkins shattered the glass with a massive dunk. Dawkins was known for his “monster” dunks, and this particular one was so powerful that it caused the entire backboard to collapse.
Players like Dawkins who have broken backboards are often seen as legends, and their feats are often replayed on TV or online. For fans, watching a backboard shatter is exciting and unpredictable – but for the players involved, it can be a bit scary.
Broken backboards are relatively rare in the NBA, but they do happen from time to time. When they do, it’s usually because of a player dunking with so much force that the glass can’t handle it. In some cases, players have even been injured by flying glass when a backboard shatters.
So how do players react when a backboard breaks? It all depends on the player – some see it as an opportunity to show off their power, while others are more cautious and scared of being injured by flying glass. But one thing is for sure: when a backboard breaks, it always makes for an exciting moment in the game.
What are the fans’ reactions when a backboard breaks?
When an NBA backboard breaks, it’s usually due to a massive dunk by an extremely athletic player. The play is often so impressive that the crowd goes wild, even if the backboard smashes into hundreds of pieces and causes a lengthy delay in the game.
How does the NBA feel about backboards breaking?
In the NBA, backboards are made of tempered glass which is designed to break into small, safe pieces if broken. However, with players leaping ever higher and slam dunking with increased ferocity, backboards are breaking with greater frequency. In fact, during the 2014-15 season, there were 12 backboard shattering dunks.
The NBA has every reason to be concerned about this trend. Not only are backboards expensive to replace (estimates range from $3-5 thousand per board), but broken glass poses a serious safety hazard for players and spectators alike. While the league has not yet taken any formal action to address the issue, it is likely only a matter of time before they do.
What are the possible solutions to prevent backboards from breaking?
There have been a number of cases in which backboards have broken during NBA games Causes have included players hanging on the rim, players dunking with too much force, and players colliding with the backboard support stanchion. In some cases, the entire backboard has shattered.
One solution that has been proposed is to use breakaway rims, which detach from the backboard when too much force is applied. Another solution is to strengthen the backboard itself, perhaps by using materials such as Kevlar or carbon fiber
What are the odds of a backboard breaking during an NBA game?
The backboard is one of the most important pieces of equipment in basketball. It is what the players shoot at and it protects the spectators from errant balls. Because of its importance, you might think that backboards are made of sturdy material that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. However, backboards are actually quite fragile and they do break from time to time. So, when was the last NBA backboard broken?
The last NBA backboard to be broken was during a game between the Indiana Pacers and the Charlotte Hornets on November 2, 2014. The backboard was shattered by a dunk from Pacers player Paul George. George’s dunk was so powerful that it not only broke the backboard, but it also caused the supports to snap. The game had to be postponed for about 20 minutes while a new backboard was installed.
Interestingly, George’s dunk was not even the hardest hit on that particular backboard. Just seconds before George’s dunk, Hornets player Al Jefferson had hit the backboard with such force that it caused cracks to appear. The game officials decided to stop play and have the backboard replaced before George’s dunk could cause any further damage.
While backboards are not usually broken during NBA Games it does happen from time to time. When it does happen, it usually results in a delay in the game while a new one is installed.
What are the historical significance of backboards breaking in the NBA?
In the early days of the National Basketball Association backboards were made of wood. In fact, the first backboards were actually just nailed to the wall of the gymnasium. There was no padding or support around the edges, so players who ran into them often cut themselves on the sharp corners.
Backboards made of wood were eventually replaced by Glass backboards which became the standard in the NBA for many years. However, glass backboards are much more fragile than wood, and they are susceptible to shattering if players slam into them too hard. This often happens during dunks, when players are moving at high speeds and can generate a lot of force.
To prevent backboards from shattering, the NBA implemented a rule in 1977 that required all backboards to be reinforced with metal frames. This made them much more durable and less likely to break, even when players slam into them with great force.
Despite these measures, backboards still occasionally break during NBA games In most cases, these are older boards that were not reinforced with metal frames and are thus more fragile. The most recent instance of this happening was during a game between the Brooklyn Nets and Charlotte Hornets on December 23rd, 2014, when Brook Lopez broke the backboard with a powerful dunk.