Stern speaks on some proposed rule changes

[Andrew]

Taken from here:

What’s the most radical change the league is considering:

“Well I’m going to urge the owners — and it’s not very radical but we were talking about it for awhile — to adopt the international rule on basket interference. That is to say, once the ball hits the rim it’s in play. Because I think that it’s too hard to call. I think that we don’t want to stop the game every time to see if it’s the right call, but the camera that looks down on the basket can tell the story if the refs have gotten it right. And it’s just impossible to call to make whether the ball’s touching the rim, on the rim, off the rim or the like. And I think that would make the game faster, better, and less controversial. And I think we’re going to be putting in more — I forget the exact number — just more replay opportunities because we really want to get it right. So those are the biggest things. I also think we’re going to be talking about cutting out a timeout or two to move the game along. The last period, even in a close game, shouldn’t begin to approach an hour.”

The idea of adopting the international goaltending rules has come up before and I'm still not a huge fan of the idea. I know Stern is obsessed with Europe to the point where he's referred to pre-season games played in European countries as "friendlies" (which just makes me cringe; I can't quite explain it but that just doesn't feel like it should be a basketball term) and refuses to give up on the idea of expansion into Europe, but I don't think it's a good rule for the NBA. With the size and athleticism of NBA players, it's just going to be out of control.

More replay opportunities, on the other hand, is a good idea. I'm not that concerned about it slowing the game down, I highly doubt it'll get to the point where they're reviewing each and every play. By making the necessary provisions to review a wide variety of calls, there's at least the opportunity to do so when necessary. No complaints here.

Removing another timeout in the fourth quarter is probably a good move as well. Stern's remarks about how the final quarter shouldn't approach an hour are spot on.

[puttincomputers]

I agree with you andrew. the goaltending rule should stay in place! Unless of course they want to allow bloated rebound numbers.

[benji]

They did it in the D-League this year and it wasn't any problem at all. Everyone has been completely in favor of the change.

[Andrew]

Did it make things any better?

[rise]

I like this. Would make things a lot less complicated for referees who would still have a ridiculously hard time calling stuff.

[[Q]]

i dunno if this is possible, but the players in the nba are just TOO athletic for this rule to work. almost every shot that isn't swished will be tapped out

[Houndy]

i dunno if this is possible, but the players in the nba are just TOO athletic for this rule to work. almost every shot that isn't swished will be tapped out

That's exactly my opinion

[benji]

You can't reach up through the basket still, it's just that if the ball is on the rim it's still in play so you can tip it in or knock if off.

It definitely increases contact in the paint.

[Andrew]

Granted, it's not going to change some basic goaltending rules and I don't mean to suggest it will completely ruin the game, but I fear it'll make it a bit too easy for seven footers who already have a natural advantage to begin with. Players like Dwight Howard are likely to put up some ridiculous numbers with a rule like that.

[Axel]

Granted, it's not going to change some basic goaltending rules and I don't mean to suggest it will completely ruin the game, but I fear it'll make it a bit too easy for seven footers who already have a natural advantage to begin with. Players like Dwight Howard are likely to put up some ridiculous numbers with a rule like that.

I completely disagree.

The NBA has implemented rules over the past decade which have consistently worked to the advantage of smaller players. The dominant big man is no longer considered a necessary component for a championship team and this is in large part due to NBA mandate rule changes. I don't see the merit in your argument that it will be "too easy" for players with a natural height "advantage". Every player has his own advantages and disadvantages. Some players are faster than others. Some are taller. Some can jump higher. Some have a longer wingspan. This rule does not favor one type of player over the other, as all of the previously mentioned attributes (and many others) go into rebounding and shot blocking. It simply would reduce officiating error, which has always been the achillies heel of the NBA.

Kudos to Commissioner Stern (can't believe I'm saying that).

[Andrew]

I don't see the merit in your argument that it will be "too easy" for players with a natural height "advantage". Every player has his own advantages and disadvantages. Some players are faster than others. Some are taller. Some can jump higher. Some have a longer wingspan. This rule does not favor one type of player over the other, as all of the previously mentioned attributes (and many others) go into rebounding and shot blocking.

And it's all made a little easier when players can just swat or grab the ball off the rim.

[Axel]

I don't see the merit in your argument that it will be "too easy" for players with a natural height "advantage". Every player has his own advantages and disadvantages. Some players are faster than others. Some are taller. Some can jump higher. Some have a longer wingspan. This rule does not favor one type of player over the other, as all of the previously mentioned attributes (and many others) go into rebounding and shot blocking.

And it's all made a little easier when players can just swat or grab the ball off the rim.

Yes. It obviously helps bigger players. But it also helps anyone who can up in the air. Players like LeBron, or Josh Smith, or Gerald Wallace. I like what it will bring to the game. And it if helps the big guys like Howard disproportionately, so be it. Him, and players in his ilk have been basically marginalized in the NBA with all of the changes to game (removal of hand checking for one), so it's not like they have this "advantage" you talk about. Dwight is the recipient of more lousy calls than any other player, and he often has good reason to complain. This only evens the playing field some; it certainly doesn't skew it in favor of the big guys. And still, you can't refute the fact that it is harder to officiate, as Stern said, and officiating integrity has been a bug-a-boo for the NBA ever since the Donaghy scandal. I think this is an obvious win win for NBA.

[benji]

Every champion of the 21st Century had at least one multiple time All-NBA big man.

[Axel]

Every champion of the 21st Century had at least one multiple time All-NBA big man.

That doesn't mean anything when there are fewer great big men in the league. They have to give the awards to someone.

[Andrew]

And still, you can't refute the fact that it is harder to officiate, as Stern said, and officiating integrity has been a bug-a-boo for the NBA ever since the Donaghy scandal. I think this is an obvious win win for NBA.

The somewhat infamous recent example in the Thunder/Nuggets series aside, referees don't seem to have much trouble determining when the ball is sitting on the rim. Whether players catch it on the way up or down seems to be more of a problem.

[benji]

I think you're seeing a change in pattern where there wasn't actually one. Compare the champions of the three-point era. Truly dominant big men have never been necessary.

Having at least two of the 15 best players in the league and/or ungodly depth have been.