zone defense, anyone???

[Francis Hsu <francis@ai.mit.edu>]

I hoped that someone with better basketball knowledge than myself (i.e.
anyone else on this list) would comment on this development to the list.
Yesterday, the NBA ownders voted to eliminate the ban on zone defenses.
Anyone have any opinions on this one, and whether it will benefit the
Celtics next season?
Here's an excerpt from
http://www.cnn.com/basketball/nba/news/2001/04/12/rule_changes_ap/
--- begin excerpt ---
Designed to improve the flow and pace of the game and reduce teams'
dependance on isolation plays, the new rules will be tested during
summer league play before officially taking effect next season. 

The changes are: 

- Eliminating all existing illegal defense guidelines. 

- Establishing a defensive 3-second rule, limiting the amount of time a
  defensive player may stand in the lane when he is not closely guarding
  someone. 

- Reducing from 10 seconds to 8 seconds the amount of time a team will
  have to advance the ball past midcourt. 

- Eliminating touch fouls by allowing brief contact initiated by a
  defensive player if it does not impede the progress of the player with
  the ball. 

The NBA did not release the result of the vote. A two-thirds majority was
required for passage, meaning at least 20 of the 29 teams were in favor. 
--- end excerpt ---