Shorter NBA Games?

[Covert Rain]

To be clear...no I don't mean having 5 point guards on your team a la the Suns. It appears the league is experimenting with 44 minute games in attempt to see if shorter games make sense.

Interesting idea. What say you fans? You want shorter NBA games? It appears most fans don't want it if the poll is any indication. I am not so sure myself.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial&hpt=hp_t2

 

[AzStevenCal]

To be clear...no I don't mean having 5 point guards on your team a la the Suns. It appears the league is experimenting with 44 minute games in attempt to see if shorter games make sense.

Interesting idea. What say you fans? You want shorter NBA games? It appears most fans don't want it if the poll is any indication. I am not so sure myself.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial&hpt=hp_t2

I'd be fine with shorter games if I didn't see the other shoe dropping. The NBA and their TV partners are making a money grab at our expense. Five years from now the telecast will last just as long as it does today but all the games will be 4 minutes shorter. On the good side, it will be 4 less minutes having to look at jerseys emblazoned with a half dozen or more ads.

The thing that really gets me though is the excuse that is being floated around for the 44 minute games. According to an ESPN reporter, it's just another example of the league trying to make things better for their players. That's BS. If they wanted to reduce the wear and tear on players they'd mandate that each player gets X amount of games off per season or they'd reduce the number of regular season games. Of they'd scale back on the number of playoff games.

Steve

 

[Suns_fan69]

If they wanted to shorten games I'd rather they start tackling both the number of and length of timeouts and tv timeouts. Those would carve out way more time than 4 minutes of game time would.

I'd also be ok with reducing regular season game, or reducing/eliminating back to backs.

 

[Mainstreet]

If they are going to shorten quarters to 11 minutes, why not 10 minutes to keep it nice and even. With forty minute games they will be able to work in a lot more commercials.

 

[Errntknght]

My first thought was, 'crap, 4 additional minutes of advertising'

 

[Covert Rain]

I'd be fine with shorter games if I didn't see the other shoe dropping. The NBA and their TV partners are making a money grab at our expense. Five years from now the telecast will last just as long as it does today but all the games will be 4 minutes shorter. On the good side, it will be 4 less minutes having to look at jerseys emblazoned with a half dozen or more ads.

The thing that really gets me though is the excuse that is being floated around for the 44 minute games. According to an ESPN reporter, it's just another example of the league trying to make things better for their players. That's BS. If they wanted to reduce the wear and tear on players they'd mandate that each player gets X amount of games off per season or they'd reduce the number of regular season games. Of they'd scale back on the number of playoff games.

Steve

Good points. Although the article did insinuate they are looking at the schedule as well. That might indicate they are considering a shorter season. I think 82 games is a ton of wear and tear on anyone body no matter what shape you are in. If that would mean a few of my favorite players would end up playing a little longer I am game.

However, something tells me it won't happen because I would imagine that might severely impact TV contracts and such. Which means the league probably won't seriously entertain the idea.

 

[Superbone]

I hate the idea of 11 minute quarters. Stick to tradition. Also, I'd prefer to stick to 82 games but lengthen the season. Cut preseason in half and start the real games earlier. Then cut back on the number of back-to-backs.

 

[Superbone]

If they are going to shorten quarters to 11 minutes, why not 10 minutes to keep it nice and even. With forty minute games they will be able to work in a lot more commercials.

Yuck!

 

[Covert Rain]

I hate the idea of 11 minute quarters. Stick to tradition. Also, I'd prefer to stick to 82 games but lengthen the season. Cut preseason in half and start the real games earlier. Then cut back on the number of back-to-backs.

I wouldn't mind 62 games but cutting preseason in half is a great idea.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Shortening the game, adding advertising, bad, bad idea. That is all this is. It is another way of getting in more advertising. Meanwhile all the historical stat comparisons go out the window. It also gives competitive advantage to teams with less depth on the roster and makes it more of a superstar league.

Bad idea all around. Advertsing on the jerseys is disgusting. Isn't there enough already?

 

[BC867]

I don't feel that games should be shortened from 48 minutes to either 44 or 40. Any more than cutting Major League baseball games to 7 innings.

Without researching it, I would say that MLB games have gotten proportionally longer than NBA games over the years.

Money rules the games. The sponsors rule the money. Like it or not, they are paying for our enjoyment.

Just as many things in the 21st Century United States, things which started out as positive have become negative. Such as the 2-party system, Big Business vs. unions and, yes, even organized religions trying to destroy each other.

Longer games, filled with more and more advertising, is just another example of good things going bad.

 

[Rivercard]

My first thought was, 'crap, 4 additional minutes of advertising'

4 minutes of game time is longer than 4 actual minutes. They would get more than 4 additional minutes of advertising.

 

[devilalum]

I'd be fine with shorter games if I didn't see the other shoe dropping. The NBA and their TV partners are making a money grab at our expense. Five years from now the telecast will last just as long as it does today but all the games will be 4 minutes shorter. On the good side, it will be 4 less minutes having to look at jerseys emblazoned with a half dozen or more ads.

Steve

4 minutes of game time equals about 20 minutes of air time. I bet the broadcasts/games will not be 20 minutes shorter if any at all. More commercials, more time outs, more rest...

I'm picturing a new system for regular season play that is very "simular" (GWB) to post season play which will make this even more of a star league than presently exists.

 

[Rivercard]

It would screw up historical statistical comparisons.

 

[elindholm]

It would screw up historical statistical comparisons.

That's the biggest argument against the idea, in my opinion.

 

[Iceman]

Don't get why this is even a consideration. Just like the clock in baseball.

 

[BC867]

It would screw up historical statistical comparisons.

Although, MLB went from 154 to 162 games and it didn't make that big of a difference.

Steroids did! Raising or lowering the pitcher's mound at the whim of the Commissioner did. Moving the fences in did.

 

[95pro]

They could make the allstar games after the season. And use the normal allstar weekend to space out games or maybe a little intermission.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Although, MLB went from 154 to 162 games and it didn't make that big of a difference.

Steroids did! Raising or lowering the pitcher's mound at the whim of the Commissioner did. Moving the fences in did.

It didn't? It was directly responsible for The Great Asterisk shortage of 61.

Steve

 

[BC867]

It didn't? It was directly responsible for The Great Asterisk shortage of 61.

Steve

You're right. And Maris played in 161 of the 162 regular season games.

Of course, there was another factor. Batting ahead of Mickey Mantle.

If Mantle had hit in front of Maris, it is doubtful Mickey would have hit 61 and Maris certainly would not have.

 

[Errntknght]

I'd like to see them have a goodly number of two game series and make those the back to back games. It would diminish the amount of travel and make the back to backs more even between the two teams.

As far as shortening the games playing time I think thats ridiculous - teams have fifteen players so the coaches can spread the time around a little more to keep individual players PT down if the players union thinks that's an issue. I like the idea of teams being rewarded for having depth and coaches that know how to use it. Pops has been doing that for years and it helps his team.

 

[AzStevenCal]

You're right. And Maris played in 161 of the 162 regular season games.

Of course, there was another factor. Batting ahead of Mickey Mantle.

If Mantle had hit in front of Maris, it is doubtful Mickey would have hit 61 and Maris certainly would not have.

True but I think Murderers Row trumps Mickey Mantle. Babe was protected and supported by arguably the greatest lineup in the history of the game the year he went for 60.

Steve

 

[Covert Rain]

It would screw up historical statistical comparisons.

From a total perspective I would agree. However, averages are not going to be that impacted. They would probably have to adjust historical totals to include "through" 62 games.