Its a pretty reasoned article. Gives possible options and different expectations of outcomes. Seems to have some good data behind it. Wonder if we could get this sort of journalism/writing anywhere in Australia. (on an other note; where is Daniel Eade these days?)

I find the stuff related to the NBA being the most predictable of the pro sports in the USA really interesting, and the fact that it is the most skill determined.

During the Finals, I timed a timeout in game 7. Three and a half minutes.

Sorry, should have said that was during the live broadcast too.

The timeouts are what drive me nuts. As I've said before, the AFL get their post-goal advertising opportunities without endlessly holding up the game. Basketball could take something from that.

Isnt it about a minute from goal to centre bounce? That wouldnt be much shorter than an NBL timeout once you factor walking in and out of huddle.

The timeouts do my head in. The only thing I really hate about the NBA. Especially in those last 3 minutes of a close game. It's not enough that every 3 minutes there are "TV timeouts", but then coaches go crazy at the end. It needs to be changed, watching the NBA with non basketball people, they all complain about the constant timeouts. It's a complete turnoff.

As for the 40 minute thing, I understand the argument, but then things like career scoring records will be forever safe. I think it takes a bit of the fun out of it. I don't wanna see someone win the NBA scoring title, with only 21ppg.

Although having said that, if they keep all the TV timeouts, the star players will never get tired and could play the whole 40 minutes, therefore keeping their scoring averages up high.

If they want to speed up the game, get rid of the jump ball.

Speed44,

If Adelaide win the AFL, and no one kicks more than 30 goals for the season from Adelaide - does it matter? I don't get the hang-up people have on scoring averages. It always gets argued here that fans will go to game more if a player is scoring 31ppg versus 18ppg. Never seen the logic in that myself.

(yes, substitute your AFL team for Adelaide if needs be...)

You are kidding, 48 minutes is real basketball

Point taken and understood HO, though I wasn't talking about teams winning the title, more about individual scoring records. But then by the same token, I don't think it'd be all that exciting if the Coleman Medalist won by kicking 38 goals for the season.

Obviously it's all perception, and as I grew up with 25 to 32 ppg guys winning the scoring title, it's probably hard for me to imagine Durant winning the scoring title with only 19ppg. Yes, I get that it's a stupid hang up, but I think it could be something that might be difficult for some to get over.

I think it's exciting to think that maybe KD may one day take the league record for points scored in a career. That will never happen again once we change the minutes.

All this being said, I think it's inevitable that the NBA will change to 40 minutes. The games are too long, not to mention the international game is 40. As Dirk said in the article, it's stupid that there are 3 different ways the game is played.

"I don't think it'd be all that exciting if the Coleman Medalist won by kicking 38 goals for the season. "

The games themselves won't necessarily be less exciting. If you enjoy watching all the games during the season, then it doesn't make sense to say "oh is that all he kicked? I no longer find it exciting" once the season finishes.

Cheers.

Again, I'm not criticizing or questioning entertainment value, just the historical significance of the stats involved. Of course the AFL games wouldn't be less exciting because of that, I'm just saying that in my eyes, the history of the Coleman would be tarnished a little with a guys name and 38 goals written next to it, due to rule changes.

I'll admit, I'm a stats geek in some respects, and I think stats play a huge role in the significance and fun of sports. Especially the American sports. The old statistical benchmarks are part of the folklore (if you like) of a sport.

So to clarify, I will still enjoy the games/league, but part of my enjoyment will be significantly changed.

Perhaps everyone should just play 11 minute quarters...

I don't want to see court time reduced to 40 mins. It does throw out all the statistical records and is also 8 less mins of on-court action for me to watch. If they need to shorten the overall length of games, I agree that it should be via timeouts. There are way too many, making the last five mins of a game farcically long sometimes. Its that bad that more often than not I prefer to watch the games on delay now, so I can either fast forward through timeouts or wait until NBA TV has edited all the breaks out a bit later.

This post should be "The case for the 48 minute NBL game." Given we only play one game a week the fans deserve a little more court time, plus it would be good to see players averaging over 20 points in the NBL.

Don't mind the timeouts in NBA. Commentators always have something interesting to talk about, or show some cool interviews, or highlights of the game.

Absolutely does my head in though when it goes to ads.

It always goes to ads!

No more 40 minute rubbish please. This should be the first thing SEABL fix up before more people are turned off.