I would like to address the article published called “Contemporary basketball nothing to write home about.” I would like to congratulate the writer: you have officially baffled me. I was unaware that an article could be written in such a way to induce such an extreme sarcastic laughing reflex.

I also never knew that a string of Swiss cheese arguments could be tethered together in a fumbling ballet of words. Let me point out a few things.

So Mr. Romano, you state that basketball lacks a uniquely definitive beauty. You say that baseball’s beauty lies in the fact that it is during the summertime and has statistics. Sounds drop-dead gorgeous to me.

Don’t get me wrong, I am a huge fan of baseball and attend the College World Series every year, but when comparing it to the up-tempo attitude of basketball, I do not believe there is a comparison. I would like to direct you to a highlight reel of Mr. Blake Griffin or Mr. Derrick Rose. Or heck, check the high school tape of this guy named Harrison Barnes; I hear he was pretty decent.

Then describe to me how this is not “uniquely beautiful.”

So the Miami Heat is the best team in the NBA right now, huh? Last time I checked that was false, and also last time I checked, LeBron can be stopped.

You claim that “in no other sport can you play perfect defense and still get scored on.” So you are telling me that if someone played perfect defense on Ovechkin, he would not score at least some of the time? Or how about Messi? They would lock him up every time, right?

I hope you are seeing the broken logic path here. Perfect defense is a thing of theory, and no sport achieves it, just like in basketball.

By the sounds of it Mr. Romano, you have never played basketball as an organized sport. You have never been taught that there is an offense that play revolves around. Everyone has a responsibility — shooter, big man, dribble driver. There are variations of that base offense such as plays that set up a 3-point bomb, or a set of screens that allow a forward to drive to the bucket.

You said that coaches do not do anything, they just recruit and point everyone in the direction of the basket, correct? Sorry to tell you, but all those intricate plays and offensive alterations are formulated by the coaching staff, not the players.

However, I will say, like in any other sport, plays are designed to give the players an opportunity to use their athletic ability. Nothing is ever guaranteed or given.

Oh right, that is just like in any other sport.

Now for the headliner. You state that “in no other sport is purposely breaking the rules not only an acceptable strategy, but a viable one.” Herein lies your biggest misstep yet. In a football game, a defensive back falls for a stutter step and is going to get burnt deep. What does he do? Tugs on the receiver’s jersey to slow him down. This is, of course, a penalty, but is 15 yards or a touchdown better? Or how about how the interior lineman hold every play? It’s part of the game and the nature of the beast. It is ignored unless blatant, much like traveling in basketball.

One more example. Messi beats a defender and has a wide-open shot at the goal – what does the defender do as Messi is blowing past him? Takes his legs out, of course, because a foul is better than a goal. It is a very simple concept.

These examples are acceptable strategy and clearly viable.

I don’t take your article personally Mr. Romano, but it bothers me that you are taking one of America’s homegrown sports and trying to tear it down.

So have fun in your coma next March, but personally, I will be stuck to the TV for every score update, because I relish in the unpredictability and true grit that makes up this madness.

Oh, and anytime you want to play one-on-one, I am game, and hey, I won’t even play defense. Don’t knock it until you try it, my friend.