There Is No Substitute for a Team-Oriented Bench

Without a doubt, one of the keys to the Lakers’ phenomenal success this year has been the role of the bench. The ability of Brian Shaw, Robert Horry and Rick Fox, all capable starters for most teams, to take on their new roles has been outstanding. It reminds me of the UCLA basketball teams in the ‘60s and early ‘70s when they were the best college team in the country, and the second-best college team was the UCLA reserves.

ROBERT LASER

Los Angeles

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The designated hitter has no place in basketball. The tactic of intentionally fouling a player with a low free-throw shooting percentage may cause a few teams, like the Lakers, to lose some games, but the price for those victories is the integrity of the game.

Teams that are behind employ this strategy in hopes of catching up; teams that are ahead will use it with the hope of increasing a lead. The last five minutes of every game will turn into a series of bear hugs and parades to the free-throw line. The game of basketball will be the big loser.

There is an easy and quick remedy: The commissioner could ask that the referees treat as a flagrant foul all those fouls whose primary purpose is to affect a “free-throw shooting turnover.” This way the player would get two free throws and his team would retain control of the ball. If this doesn’t happen, then we should forgo the basketball game and determine the outcome by a free-throw contest.

MYRON HOOD

San Luis Obispo