Look for more outside shooting, less obstruction in the backcourt and milder trash-talking in the NBA this season.
After last year's fight-marred, low-scoring playoffs, the league's Board of Governors on Wednesday approved several rule changes addressing concerns that the game was being dominated by defense and overly physical play."There's been a slight change in the game over the years, and the competition committee felt strongly it was time to open up the game a little bit," NBA commissioner David Stern said.
The most notable change adopted Wednesday is moving the 3-point line to a uniform 22 feet. Currently the arc is 22 feet in the corners, but extends to 23 feet, 9 inches beyond the top of the key.
In addition to boosting offense, the league also hopes the adjustment will require teams to defend the perimeter more and unclog the lane.
Under another rule change, a player fouled while taking a 3-pointer will get three free throws.
The league also prohibited hand-checking from the end line in the backcourt to the opposite foul line.
"By enforcing the hand-checking, that will clear up a part of the game that had gotten out of hand," said Rod Thorn, the NBA's vice president of operations.
"All players were taught in their early stages that defense was done with your feet. It (hand-checking) started with us. If you're used to grabbing and holding people, you'll have to adjust."
In response to a spate of fights during last year's playoffs, including a brawl between the Knicks and the Bulls that broke out right in front of Stern, the league also stiffened penalties for players who leave the bench during an altercation.
Players who do so will receive an automatic suspension of at least one game and fined a maximum of $20,000.
"We were appalled by a couple of ugly incidents during the playoffs," Thorn said. "We understand that emotions run high, but we will not tolerate brawls."
Other rule changes adopted:
- When a player has a clear path to the basket, a two-shot foul will be called if a defender grabs him in the backcourt.
- Players who commit two flagrant fouls in a game will be ejected.
- Officials will more strictly enforce rules against trash-talking and taunting, calling a technical when a player says something that could escalate into a fight.
- Fines for technical fouls will increase to $500, up from $100 for the first one and $150 for the second.
- The second or more of back-to-back timeouts when the ball is not inbounded can be no longer than 45 seconds.