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Toucher & Hardy

Toucher: Fix NBA ratings by expanding the court size

Author Ryan Beaton

On Thursday’s Toucher & Hardy program, Fred Toucher suggests a way to fix the NBA’s dwindling ratings.

Apr 7, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) brings the ball up past half court over the Celtics logo during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Toucher: How to Fix NBA Ratings

Parts of conversation abbreviated for clarity.

Fred Toucher: Scoring isn’t the issue in the NBA. It’s not because of the scoring. It’s how the points are being scored. It’s the three-point shooting.  

People watch the NBA for the idea that they’re the greatest athletes on the planet. And to watch them maneuver and get open against defenses, which requires extreme athletic movement.  

Here’s what I’m certain they’ll do. The NBA is going to move the three-point line back, there’s no doubt about it. That will expand and allow for a little bit more movement, too. If you move it a foot or two back, it might not even decrease 3-point shooting. It does make the mid-range shot longer, though.  

Do you remember how Brad Stevens used to have practices, and he would punish players who took shots within a certain mid-range area?  

The distance will be expanded, and the guys will not be taking shots from the old 3-point line. It’ll free things up, and that does matter. 

Here’s what they should do. They should expand the width of the court. Why? Because these guys are so big and fast. You know how in Olympic hockey, they expand the ice and it’s a different game? The game becomes more about finesse and open ice.  

Listen, the NBA is trying to take away physicality. There’s no more 80s and 90s Knicks and Pistons. If you’re not going to have those kinds of teams that’s fine. The NBA got bigger when that stuff stopped. You got to expand the court and let these guys run.  

Hardy: I think it’s a great idea. Do you want to know why they won’t do it? That will take away seating. 

Toucher: Yes, I have heard that. But you can find a way to jam some more seats down there. I mean, who buys courtside seats? Why do they buy them? For the most part. 

Matt McCarthy: To be seen on TV. 

Toucher: Exactly. Say that I’ve got to take away 40 seats, right? Say that they find a few more ways to jam in seats. Then those seats become even more precious. There are even fewer people on camera. You can charge more! 

Segment Audio

Ryan Beaton is a producer for 985thesportshub.com. You can follow Ryan at @ry_beaton on Twitter.

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Ryan Beaton is a producer and content creator for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Ryan was born in Weymouth, Massachusetts. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 2021, studying Broadcast Journalism. Ryan started his radio career in college as a play-by-play announcer/producer for WMUA 91.1 FM. He produces multiple weekend shows, including: 98.5 Over/Under, Hockey Show, and Sunday Kickoff. He is also a part of the Celtics, Bruins, and Patriots Radio Network. His favorite sports are Mixed Martial Arts, Football, and Basketball. Ryan enjoys playing golf but is NOT good at it. Ryan writes about all New England sports from Patriots football to Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins.

The Best Christmas Ska for Our 1st Ever Skanksmas Celebration

The holidays are in full swing on the Toucher & Hardy show, so we’re cueing up some Christmas ska for a Skanksmas celebraish.

And yes, I realize “Skanksmas” isn’t as catchy as “Skanskgiving” That one rolls of the tounge much easier. But Thanksgiving has come and gone, and we decided to let Skansgiving fade into show lore this year and in coming years.

A lot of long-time listeners took umbrage to that decision, so think of Skanksmas as a holiday olive branch. We can’t keep every show tradition alive, but we can always come up with new ones, can’t we?

Freddy’s T’s faves

Christmas Ska: Christmas Past

I’m now realizing I’ve been using the terms “Skanksmas” and “Skanksgiving” without defining them. If you weren’t able to figure it out on your own, let me wise you up: they’re portmanteaus of the word “ska” and Christmas or Thanksgiving.

Fred Toucher is an unapologetic ska fan. For years, on the last show before the Thanksgiving holiday, you’d hear all ska music kicking off each segment. So were bringing that back, just for Christmas instead of Thanksgiving.

This is cumbia, not ska. But it’s kinda like ska.

Christmas Ska: Christmas Present

I prefer Skanksmas to Skansgiving because the show pretty much programs itself. For Skansgiving, it’s that whole paradox of choice situation. What wave of ska do I focus on? What if I lean to heavy into punk-flavored ska?

With Skanksmas, it’s simple: holiday songs in the style of ska. You’ll hear all of the ones below if you’re listening to Fred’s last show of the year on Thursday. And now you have them to listen to at your leisure throughout the holiday season.

Happy Holidays from Toucher & Hardy. If you’d like more sounds from the show, get funky with our latest playlist.

  • The Ethiopians "Ding Dong Bell"

    Is it ska? Is it reggae? Does it matter? This song is as warm and comfy as chestnuts roasting on an open fire.

  • Fishbone "It's A Wonderful Life"

    Did you know the legendary Fishbone had a holiday EP? Well, now you do! Here’s the first cut from the A Side.

  • Mighty Mighty BossToneS "This Time Of Year"

    The Bosstones have a handful of holiday gems, but this one’s the standout. And this live version from the Hometown Throwdown rules.

  • MU330 "I Heard The Bells On Christmas"

    Meanwhile, MU330 has a whole-ass holiday album. It’s called Winter Wonderland. Pick it up pick it up pick it up!

  • No Doubt "Oi To The World"

    I’d get the stinkeye instead of Season’s Greetings if I left this ska fan fave off the list, so here you go.

  • Poly Styrene "Black Christmas"

    The X-Ray Spex legend released a solo holiday offering many years ago, and it certainly has a ska vibe to it.

  • Voodoo Glow Skulls "Feliz Navidad"

    Nothing wrong with putting a little upbeat bounce into this classic.

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