The backboard can shatter when a player dunks the ball with enough force. The backboard is made of tempered glass, designed to break into small, harmless pieces. However, if large shards of glass fall on players or spectators, it can cause serious injury.
When a player breaks the backboard, the game is immediately stopped, and the player is given a technical foul. The teams then swap ends of the court, and play resumes. If the backboard was broken due to a personal foul, then the fouling team is also given a team foul .
During a game, there are officials called “court crews” who are responsible for repairing the backboard if it shatters. They will quickly sweep up the broken glass and replace the backboard with a new one. Most arenas have replacement backboards on standby so that the game can continue with minimal delay.
History of Backboard Breakages
First Broken Backboard:
This happened for the first time on November 5, 1946, when future actor Chuck Connors broke the backboard during a game between the Boston Celtics and Chicago Stags. Connors was given a technical foul and had to leave the game.
When Was The Last Time Someone Broke The Backboard?
The most recent instance was during an NBA game between the Houston Rockets and the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 3, 2020. Rockets player Clint Capela went up for a dunk and ended up shattering the backboard.
This was not the first time that Capela had broken a backboard. He also did it during a practice session with the Rockets in 2016.
Who Has Broken The Most Backboards In The NBA?
Darryl Dawkins, also known as “Chocolate Thunder,” is renowned for his backboard-breaking dunks. In his 14-year NBA career, Dawkins shattered a total of 10 backboards. His first backboard-breaking dunk came during his rookie season with the Philadelphia ers in 1979. He went on to break nine more backboards with the New Jersey Nets.
Dawkins’ backboard-breaking dunks were so powerful that they caused severe damage to the court. On several occasions, shards of glass from the broken backboard fell on spectators below. As a result of Dawkins’ destructive dunks, the NBA implemented a rule stating that players would be automatically ejected from games if they broke the backboard.
Backboard Protection: Do We Really Need It?
To prevent backboards from breaking, artificial measures have been put in place. For example, some backboards are now made with shatter-resistant glass or polycarbonate. These materials are much more durable than traditional glass and can better withstand impact.
Before the game, the referee will put the ball in a hoop to measure the circumference. In this case, the measurement must be at least 28 inches. If it is not, it means that something is wrong, and they will have to put it back in its original place.
Do NBA Players Get Paid For Breaking Backboards?
The player may get ejected from the game and could be fined, but they do not get paid for breaking the backboard. The backboard is considered part of the playing court, and the home team’s responsibility is to replace it. If a player damages the backboard during warm-ups or play, their team will be charged for the replacement cost.
Did Lebron Break A Backboard?
On October 29, 2014, during a preseason game against the Brooklyn Nets, LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers broke the backboard with a thunderous dunk. The game was stopped, and the debris was cleared off the court.
Did Michael Jordan Ever Shatter A Backboard?
In 1985, Michael Jordan was in Italy for an exhibition game when he decided to take flight and break the backboard with a powerful dunk. The glass shattered into pieces and fell onto the court below. Luckily, no one was injured by the flying debris.
Jordan’s incredible feat of strength and athleticism was caught on camera and quickly spread around the world, solidifying his status as a superstar. Although breaking backboards is now banned in the NBA, it’s still remembered as one of Jordan’s most iconic moments.
How many rims did shaquille o’neal break?
Shaquille O’Neal is known to have broken multiple basketball rims during his career, but the exact number is not officially documented. He was known for his powerful dunks, which occasionally caused damage to the equipment.
what year did shaq break the backboard?
Shaquille O’Neal broke the backboard during a game in 1993.
What happens when a backboard shatters?
When a basketball backboard shatters, the game is typically paused, and any broken glass is cleaned up to ensure player safety. A replacement backboard is installed before play can resume.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, if someone were to break the backboard during a basketball game, the game would be stopped, and the player would be given a technical foul. The player would also be responsible for any damages to the court.
Clyde Jackson III is a basketball coach and the founder of GCBC Basketball, a basketball-related learning and informational website that focuses on helping young players develop their skills on and off the court. With over 15 years of coaching experience, Clyde has worked with players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to professionals.
