basketball rules

RELEVANT URBANISM CONTENT FOR BLOG. Thank you Ambry Thomas.

The look on #49ers rookie corner Ambry Thomas' face when he was asked about the cost of living in the Bay Area pic.twitter.com/WCFrHU0zk8

The NCAA has 13 new men’s basketball rules proposals. Let’s discuss.

Ace: Before we run down the more intriguing proposals, a number of these are unlikely to be recommended. They include:

• Widening the lane to 16 feet (currently 12 feet)
• Award possession to defense after a held-ball
• Eliminate 10-second backcourt rule
• Allow offensive team to decline free throws in final two minutes and overtime(s); opt for inbound instead
• Eliminate five-second closely guarded rule
• Allow instant replay on shot-clock violation in final two minutes/overtime on a missed shot
• Allow instant replay on basket interference/goaltending calls -- but only if/after an official calls the violation

Are any of these worth discussion?

Brian: I think they're all bad ideas that are rightfully headed for the trash bin of history, except... uh... they eliminated the closely-guarded rule four or so years ago?

BiSB: One of my pet rules is that the ball should go to the defense on a wedgie.

Brian: For one when a ten second call happens it rules. Ten second calls are always awesome, fact.

Ace: The closely guarded rule came up for elimination but stayed in the book. I can’t remember the last time I saw one called, though.

Brian: They don't even count it anymore?

BiSB: It's like the "you have 10 seconds to shoot a free throw" rule. The ref counts, but he counts like a parent threatening a 5-year-old.

Seth: It's definitely been in that realm calls that are made so infrequently the coach loses it when they do.

BiSB: "Four and a haaaaaaaaaaaaaaalf..."

Seth: This always bothered me as a kid: When you're counting down, if you add a half you're going in the wrong direction.

Anyway.

Brian: I have absolutely seen a player dribble with his back to the basket closely guarded for 10 seconds in late half situations.

Ace: NCAA refs, Brian.

Brian: I may be having a Mandela effect moment.

Ace: Regardless, I don’t feel strongly about it either way. As we’ve covered, they don’t enforce it, and there’s not enough slow post play to make me worried about its impact. The three-second rule in the paint is still there, too.

Brian: Closely guarded and three second calls should be dropped. Anyway, onto things that might actually happen...

Seth: Make the whole court out of lane?

Ace: Before we do, I just have to say that as someone who used to play a lot of pickup ball, I’d be on board with the “defense gets held balls” change even though it won’t happen.

[After THE JUMP: We find a way to embed The Shot]

Sponsor note! Do you need a lawyer for business purposes such as incorporation, contracts, or getting right with government entities?

Well folks I have the lawyer for you: Richard Hoeg. He's located in Northville, which is famous as the place that the best lawyers for business purposes set up shot. He's a Michigan grad—always important—and he's basically doing "MGoBlog, but a lawyer." Your Sknork* fortune awaits!

*[A sknork is a spork that also incorporates knife functionality. No, I don't know how it works. It's your company. Look up the patent.]

The right way. I mean yeah I think good coaching involves not doing things wrong.

There is a right way of doing things in college basketball... pic.twitter.com/4H2Csts22X

— Jordan Sperber (@hoopvision68) April 19, 2021

Will Wade might disagree.

I mean he does look like Michael Rapaport. A viral video of Brian Scalabrine housing some teenager who challenged him spurred this entertaining NYT article on the phenomenon of Gym Dudes stepping to professional athletes. WNBA player Cheyenne Parker:

When asked why amateurs were so willing to challenge journeymen basketball players, Parker said: “The same reason why a guy that I would never, ever give a chance to, still has that confidence to come and approach me and ask for my number. You know? It’s the same type of confidence that these people have to even think that they can beat a professional.”

Also, Brian Scalabrine has issues!

He said professional athletes, even retired ones, have an extra gear that an average person cannot tap into. He referred to it as the “dark place.”

“I would always say things, like in a game, ‘If I miss this next shot, my kids are going to die,’” Scalabrine said. “I would say that to myself, just to get through, just to put the pressure so I can lock in and make the shot.”

Scalabrine gets it more than most because he looks more like Seth Rogen than a person who does basketball good.

[After THE JUMP: you should have to cut off a finger to call timeout]