Rip City Project
Fansided

5 ways to make the NBA more interesting, challenging, exciting and fun

By Matt George Moore

PORTLAND, OR - JANUARY 27: Evan Turner #1 and C.J. McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers tie their shoes before the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 27, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - JANUARY 27: Evan Turner #1 and C.J. McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers tie their shoes before the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 27, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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penalty box
SAN JOSE, CA – APRIL 16, 2018: A San Jose Sharks fan takes a photo of Corey Perry in the penalty box in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images) /

Penalty Boxes?

Yes, penalty boxes.

Nothing slows an exciting NBA game down more than the tired ritual of fouling players in the final seconds of games. Teams utilize this tactic when they’re behind and they need to stop the clock. They’ll usually try to foul the worst free-throw shooter on the other team. (Remember Hack-A-Shaq?)

Would it be a good idea to stick players in penalty boxes if they commit non-shooting (or “away-from-the-play”) fouls in the final two minutes of a game? Just like hockey, the fouling team would have to play with fewer players on the court until the penalty time expires or the opponent scores a basket, whichever comes first.

Here’s where that goofy smaller-court idea comes into play. Less ground to cover means losing a player to the penalty box wouldn’t be such a tremendous, insurmountable disadvantage. Instead, it could be something teams could conceivably overcome through clever defensive strategies.

This would mean changing or eliminating the recently adopted “away-from-the-play” rule that the league implemented prior to the 2016-2017 season. The NBA could also eliminate the three-second rule during five-on-four, penalty box action.

The league could also choose to place players in the penalty box for flagrant fouls.

Or for flopping! That would be even better! For a Blazers fan like me, the possibility of seeing Chris Paul or James Harden pouting in a penalty box would be worth the price of admission all by itself.

I thought this idea was ridiculous when I first started typing this section. But you know what? It’s starting to sound like a pretty excellent idea.

Let’s do this NBA!

OK.

So.

Anyway.

Last but not least, a …