I was rather shocked when I found the link to this article in today’s FIBA Newsletter. Normally, I don’t go that far down in the mail than this time but it was rather worth to do it this time.
Well, if you start reading an article that starts with the following:
International basketball might undergo a significant change if new rules are passed this weekend, according to USA Basketball officials.
You have of course continue to read what it is about. Especially if the article is written by USA Today. So what is this about.
There will be a meeting of the FIBA board this weekend in Beijing where some major rule changes will be discussed and proposed for vote. Two major things would be the adoption of the trapezoidal zone and the three-point line that would move further away from the basket.
In detail, the zone would be the same one that is used in the NBA which means a 16 feet (4m87) large trapezoid instead of the actual triangle like zone that is19ft and 8 inches (5m99) large under the basket. The second rule change would be to move the three point line from 20ft 6inch (6.25m) to 22ft 1inch (6m73). The three point line would however remain at the same distance everywhere on the court and no closer to the basket in the corners like in the NBA.
Currently it is only a proposition, however, this looks really like the change is in the making as these rules were recommended by the technical commission of FIBA and will go for the group’s 20-person central board vote this weekend.
Besides the fact that this will change the European game, this will also be a huge cost factor. So if this decision will be taken, companies that produce court lines will be happy as all basketball arenas in the world (except the US) need some work.
Dusan Ivkovic said that some time ago, as he treveled to the All-Star weekend. At the All-Star WE Stern&Co on one side and FIBA on the other unofficialy agreed to bring the two games closer together… We will also see the no foul circle under the basket. It was rather unclear if it will also effect the Youth competition as some people did not think that will help young players develop…
I think it will only apply for Euroleague or international competitions, it makes no sense however for youth,regional and national competitions in my opinion to swith due to the imense costs.If FIBA passes this modifications its because they were getting some “hand money” or promises off Stern.
Yes, but it isn’t new.
I heard about it on the AST this year in Mannheim,
Nothing has to be adapted. Because players in unprofessional competitions and female competitions will play on the same courts. Most playcourts in the US are the same as the ones all around the world. The NBA courts are the ones that specificly differ. And now this will also count for professional international courts.
Changes in the rules can be made only every 4 years, in an Olympic year. We see big changes almost every four years, so that’s not such a big surprise. Maybe the arc is one change bigger than the usual, but the zone thing is…a normal change. Possession arrow was the big change of 2004 if I’m not wrong.
I don’t see why these changes have to be made.
[...] * Ball in Europe is reporting that FIBA is looking at making some significant rule changes. [...]
“Most playcourts in the US are the same as the ones all around the world.”
Actually, most courts in the States (high school, playgrounds) are more like the NBA – at least with respect to the shape of the zone (I’ve never measured the three-point line)