BASKETBALL; Neutralizing the dunkers

Does the violent, in-your-face dunk really belong in basketball? Some think not, but the question then becomes: How do you do away with it and not outlaw stuff shots altogether?

The best solution might be to disallow baskets in which the shooter touches the rim. This would help encourage greater finesse, without robbing the shot of all its authoritative excitement.

Theoretically, grasping the rim is punishable with a technical foul under the present rules, but referees hesitate to call anything but flagrant violations. As it is, many players momentarily snatch the hoop after releasing the ball.