new rules

["Berry, Mark S" <berrym@BATTELLE.ORG>]

Haven't seen any posts on the new rules about to be adopted for next year.
Anyone have any thoughts?

-No more illegal defense rules, but there will be a defensive three seconds
rule prohibiting a Mutombo from just planting himself in front of the rim.

-8 seconds instead of 10 to advance out of the backcourt

-incidental contact (including hand checks) allowed

-balls can be touched while on the rim 


Personally, I think I like all the changes. I've been saying the league
should allow zone defenses for a couple of years now because the only way to
beat the zone is with good ball and player movement. The misconception is
that it will lead strictly to 3-point shooting contests. Granted, good
shooting can beat a zone, but there's more to it than that.

How do they affect the current Celtic team? I don't think they favor the
Celts because the team currently has very little player or ball movement in
the offense. It's basically isolation plays for Pierce or Toine--exactly the
kind of thing the NBA is trying to clean up. Also, only Pierce is a truly
effective 3-point shooter. And Toine's one advantage--his versatility as a
big man--is negated somewhat because teams can play zone instead of having a
slow power forward try to defend Antoine 1-on-1.

Anyone else have any thoughts?

Mark