Re: new rules

[Ellie Cutler <ellie@oreilly.com>]

I like the idea of a defensive  3-second rule.  Does this allow for zones 
as long as they stay out of the key? And, I'm thrilled that they might toss 
out illegal D calls - they were *not* uniformly enforced and were often a 
chess game between the coaches and the refs. Jordan was asked about 
allowing a zone defense and he said he was against it because it would take 
away from the marquee players like Vince Carter (and 
himself...).  Exactly!   It would encourage more of a team game.  Now if 
they'd only raise the basket 6 inches...   I also like allowing the ball to 
be touched while on the rim. Not sure about the incidental contact one 
though - it's so subjective on the refs part.  One change I would love to 
see is concrete definition and enforcement of traveling.

On the draftees - let's hope Frank Williams comes out - he will be a 
*great* pro guard. The other kid I like a lot is Chris Duhon. Forget Loren 
Woods! I like Dunleavy, but if he develops as he should he'll be too high a 
pick for us when he does come out.  As someone mentioned, if enough people 
come out, there's an outside chance Battier will drop like Pierce did. 
Kwame Brown was the only kid in the McD's game that looked remotely ready 
for prime-time (Sisse, Chandler didn't play). But that's true with 90% of 
the HS kids - they get drafted so nobody else will scoop them, then they 
take up roster room for 3 years while they develop (O'Neal, Harrington, 
Moiso).  Not a good system - we need a bonafide minor league.

Congrats to Pierce on his player of the month award (First Celtic since LB 
to do this!)    I also like how Antoine is handling himself with so much 
adulation going to Pierce. Good kid!

--Ellie


At 04:11 PM 4/4/2001 -0400, Berry, Mark  S wrote:
>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