What rules would you change in the NBA?

[lazarus]

I think a separate thread for each sport would be cool, and I love the NBA, so here goes:

1. First, I'd like to see us phase in the international three point line. We could couple this with unleashing full legal zone defense.

This has a few outcomes that I'd like to see. First, the easier three point shot would eliminate the fear some people have about a full zone defense, that some 8 foot tall guy will just plant himself in the lane. The way to beat a zone is to shoot over it. And if threes are even easier, perimeter defense becomes crucial.

Second, it gives the referees less to worry about tracking. This "defensive three seconds" call is just silly. It's a judgement call, and, along with traveling and offensive three seconds, could be called virtually any time an official cares to.

2. Enlarge the court, at least one foot in all directions. Players are bigger and faster than ever. Probably won't happen, simply because that means the league would lose a row of high priced seats in each arena.

3. No more fouling out.

This is the important one. One of my favourite players, David Robinson, got the reputation of being "soft" because his fourth quarter defense wasn't always up to par. The problem is, he'd pick up ticky-tack 4th and 5th fouls in the third quarter or early fourth, and couldn't play that hard.

Also, if I shell out a couple of hundred dollars taking my daughter to a game, I don't want to see the superstars sitting on the bench because the ref decided to call the game a bit harder this time. I've seen big time stars play half the game because of foul problems.

The solution is already sort of in the rule book. If one team is reduced to five players due to ejections and injuries, and one of those five fouls out, he remains in the game. Every foul he commits after that is considered a foul and a technical foul. Problem solved.

4. Finally is one that's gotten much worse this year, and I'm sick of it. It's offensive players leaning into the defender on a shot, initiating contact, and getting a foul called on the defender.

Kobe was the main practitioner of this last year, especially when he was launching up threes. But now I'm seeing players use it a lot (and with League Pass, I watch way too much basketball). If a player initiates contact, he should be called for the foul, not the other way around.

The reason scoring is up this year in the NBA? More foul shots. Seriously, I can provide stats.

Now, on to the silly rule:

Power plays for flagrant fouls. One minute with only four players on the court. :evilgrin: If NBA players want to fight like hockey players, let 'em take penalties like hockey players.

[Botany]

1. NBA sucks.

How about playing real ball and not an exhibition type of game?

[drummer55]

2. rules I'd like to see

all players playing for free and having to keep jobs like in the old days.

I'm not heckling really. I used to watch pro sports till they all became overpaid spoiled kids. I only watch my local high school and college now. now I'm slowly dropping out of college because of the money that is pouring in there now.

Any way take all that extra dough and spend it on needy kids around the country who go hungry and homeless every night.

Instead of buying a ticket to a pro game go see and support your local high school game and use the other 50 bucks to give to a charity.

my 2 cents.

[lazarus]

12. Some of them are overpaid spoiled kids

Some of them, most of them, just want to earn their pay.

A lot of them use their money for good, too. You should see all the charities some of the Spurs players have set up.

David Robinson founded an entire school for disadvantaged youth. Spent millions on it.

So there are good, good players out there. But for some reason, the spoiled brats get the media attention.

[In Truth We Trust]

3. How bout they just enforce the existing rules! Especially the traveling

violation. I've literally counted five steps without the ball being put to the floor with no call made. Makes a mockery of the game.

[yinkaafrica]

6. That is one reason I stopped watching the NBA.

Looks more like football than the game I love.

[Forkboy]

14. That's my main gripe too

they should just eliminate dribbling all together at this point.

[yinkaafrica]

4. Make the players dribble the ball

Allow one half-step on a layup,
not two-and-a-half or three full steps
while palming the ball.
Also, call the three second violation every time it happens.

[bowens43]

5. No player makes more than any teacher.

[SlackJawedYokel]

7. A serious reply.

Cause I don't see the need to bitch about an entertainers take home pay.

1. First, I'd like to see us phase in the international three point line. We could couple this with unleashing full legal zone defense.
I hate the zone defense in the pros primarily because it penalizes big men with post-up moves.
If I wanted to see a bunch of jump-shooters I'd watch my local Y league play.
I can see where the NBA will eventually cave to an International court, however. Especially seeing as how KG has become the prototypical power forward.

But I won't like it, dammit.

Believe it or not I miss the forced one-on-one... at least you got see *some* pick and roll.

2. Enlarge the court, at least one foot in all directions.
Definitely.
And maybe even push the rim up 6".

3. No more fouling out.
This won't happen, but I agree with you.
Players accumulating more than 4 fouls go to a penalty box for a few minutes of game time or some such.

4. Finally is one that's gotten much worse this year, and I'm sick of it. It's offensive players leaning into the defender on a shot, initiating contact, and getting a foul called on the defender.
I have *always* hated that call.
That's fine if the defender is moving and can't establish a vertical defensive posture, but come on... some the calls are absolutely ridiculous.

And as far as palming/travelling... I can live with it as the game has simply evolved.
Hell, the crossover dribble *isn't possible* without palming the ball.

Cletus

[lazarus]

11. Thanks, Cletus

:-) I figured there'd be hating on the fact that they make a lot of money.

Did you realise that NBA players are, according to a free market economy, underpaid? It's true, there's a salary cap, so the players aren't making all the money they could in the market.

I do think we'll ease into the international rules soon. The best way to do it? Implement them in high school. Then, after 2 or 3 years, implement them in college. Then, a couple of years after that, put them in at the pro level. That way, you have a group of players (besides the foreign players already in the league) who are used to it.

Watching Tim Duncan dismantle offenses at will makes me believe there's an easy way around the double team. Just have a good passer in the middle with shooters around the perimeter. They won't be able to afford to double him up.

For all the talk about KG, notice that he managed to get out of the first round once. Of the two dominant big men in the paint, Shaq and Duncan, one of them has been in the finals each of the past 5 years.

They'll likely meet in the Finals this year. Should be fun.

I don't like the rim's being moved. You'd have players who have learned to shoot at one height their entire lives having to adjust. Shooting percentages would plummet.

I've gotten to where I can live with the palming/carry, as long as it's not too obvious. I do get tired of the traveling, but they're getting better at that this year.

Unlike some here, I haven't seen anybody take 5 steps before. Of course, I only watch 5-8 games a week, so what do I know? :evilgrin:

[OneBlueSky]

8. ban tattoos . . . n/t

.

[davidinalameda]

9. how about having them play some defense once in a while

[lazarus]

10. Watch the Spurs some time

They play the best defense ever seen in the league, and they have a damned good offense, too.

[GOPisEvil]

13. I like the trapezoidal lanes in international ball.

Players have outgrown the standard-size lane. Matter of fact, sine NBA players play in FIBA-sanctioned tournaments, the NBA should adopt FIBA's rules.

[lazarus]

15. Yeah, I think eventually

we will have to do that, or at least move the two closer. I don't know if UberStern would be willing to do that, but he can't hang on forever.

Can he?