Basketball is beautiful.
In 1891, when James Naismith carved out those wooden baskets at Springfield College, little did he know of the beauty his sport would morph into.
At every level, the game paints a scenic picture. Basketball is art. Pick and rolls, outlet passes and defensive sets may seem like coaching schemes; however, when executed well, they are breathtaking.
Look no further than the sport’s history books for such artwork.
From compact playmakers to towering bruisers, all-time greats have perfected basketball. Bill Russell, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and LeBron James are all prime examples of artistry.
Success ran rampant in these legend’s resumes, but they did not do it alone. Their masterclass skill would not have led them anywhere without a little help from their friends.
In other words, teamwork defines greatness.
Search any archive or rewatch any game. All-time greats always included a duo or ensemble cast. Basketball demands cohesive collaboration.
Despite this reality, individuals often define basketball history.
Sunday, March 3, 2024, now marks the day in history when Caitlin Clark broke the NCAA Division I basketball scoring record, a milestone previously unsurpassed for over 54 years.
Her momentous achievement marks another definitive moment of basketball beauty. She now leads all-time scoring in both men’s and women’s collegiate basketball. This is not just an accomplishment for basketball but the sports world.
Clark’s record-breaking career at Iowa shocks fans around the globe. As she passes this landmark, her path leads into the WNBA and future basketball history.
Additionally, her journey reminds fans of another individual who defined basketball greatness: Pete Maravich, a forefather of modern basketball.
“Pistol Pete” fascinated crowds and filled arenas with his Globetrotter-esque showmanship. His moves exhibited wizardry and wonder. The basketball seemingly transported from his hands to his teammates with unparalleled elegance.
When he did not pass, he scored and scored a lot.
Maravich set the scoring record for NCAA Division I basketball in 1970, which was previously held by Oscar Robertson. At this time, college basketball did not have the shot clock let alone the three-point line. In only 83 collegiate games, he averaged 44.2 points per game with LSU.
With Clark breaking his 3,667-point scoring record, many may question his relevance, but his impact lives on.
Johnson, Steve Nash and Steph Curry all credit their playmaking palette to the late Maravich — his style was decades ahead of his time.
Maravich is a legend in the basketball history books; however, he never reaped the rewards of true greatness. Throughout his collegiate and professional careers, he was never on a consistent winning team, let alone a championship-winning one.
While he scorched defenders and stuffed stat sheets, his success ran short. Maravich became a victim of basketball individuality.
Maravich’s proven innovation soars above any shortcomings. Basketball remembers Maravich for all of his relevance, and performances such as Clark’s remind fans of the immense history of the game.
Her game has defined a new and exciting era in basketball. Maravich’s path may have fallen short in some regards, but this does not mean Clark is slated for the same fate.
The differences between eras, rules and competition are incomparable. Greatness should not be compared: it should be appreciated.
Clark’s future is bright. Basketball’s future is bright.
Eli Kaltenecker is a sophomore studying film at Ohio University. Please note that the opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect those of The Post. Want to talk to Eli about his article? Email him at ek840321@ohio.edu.
