Former NBA Coach Floats Sweeping Rule Changes to the Way the Game is Played

  In every professional sport, rule tweaks and changes are a frequent occurrence.  Many changes are proposed, but few are implemented.  Some changes that are made have a profound effect on the way the game is played, some do not.  Perhaps, the adjustments proposed by former NBA coach Jeff Van Gundy would be the most jarring in NBA history.  Among the wanted changes by Van Gundy include: eliminating  or shortening halftime, and doing away with free throws until the last 4 minutes of each game. Needless to say, changing regulations in such a manner would have historic implications on the way the game is played.

Though it probably will never be put into practice, one of the most consequential rules Van Gundy proposed was eliminating free throws for a majority of each NBA game.  Unfortunately, this would eliminate one of the most utilized strategies in the game.  If a team has a particularly weak free throw shooter, the opposing team will foul that player in an effort to prevent them from scoring points.  This is especially true if the team is behind in the final minutes of a game.  Poor free throw shooting frequently affects outcomes of games.  Therefore, dumping this facet of the game eliminates the opportunity to win or lose a game at the stripe.  Implementing such a rule would tear away at one of the major tenets of the game while, at the same time, denigrating one of the most exciting parts of it as well.

If the NBA wants to be as successful as possible, it is vital that its players be as effective as they can be.  This means getting plenty of rest before, during, and after games.  Under the former New York Knicks and Houston Rockets Head Coach’s proposal, this opportunity would be severely limited, as he would like to eliminate or shorten halftime.  If this were allowed to occur, quality of play would be enormously hindered, and crispness of play would be affected.  Furthermore, the overall performance on the court would be greatly diminished.

It is the now broadcaster’s contention the NBA games should be played in a 2 hour window, and he feels his suggested changes would accomplish that goal.  However, as in any sports league, the NBA is a business and wants to make money.  Making any of Van Gundy’s adjustments, means less of an opportunity to maximize profits.  In addition, shortening games, gives another nod to a society that is growing more impatient and restless by the minute.  We do not need to ruin the fabric of another sport to satisfy the needs and wants of the younger generation.

By comparison, basketball is one of the shortest of the four major sports.  The average basketball game length is 2 hours and 25 minutes, any shorter, and it’s not worth attending.  Not only would Van Gundy’s NBA affect length of games, but quality and integrity would be irreparably harmed.  Without a doubt, other aspects of the game could be tweaked to maintain continuity and flow of the game.