Monday, May 15, 2006

Stop this Timeout Madness

Here was the Play-by-Play at the end of regulation in the Mavs/Spurs game:

0:39 - Jason Terry hits 2 FT.
San Antonio Full Timeout.
0:38 - Brent Barry throws the ball out of bounds.
0:23 - Jason Terry hits a jump shot.
San Antonio Full Timeout.
0:15 - Michael Finley hits a three-pointer.
Dallas Full Timeout.
0:08 - Dirk Nowitski hits 2 FT.
San Antonio 20-Second Timeout.
0:00 - Overtime.

4 timeouts in a span of 31 seconds. And the thing is, this is a common occurrence. I understand the need for timeouts late in a close game, but the sheer amount of them called ruins the flow of many great games and makes the endings hard to watch. Make no mistake, this was a great, well-played basketball game, but all these timeouts made the end of regulation boring, just the opposite of what it should be.

And while I'm on the subject of this game, the last foul call on Bowen (while Nowitski was driving to the hoop) was just a terrible call. If anything, it was Nowitski that committed the foul, seeing as how he was the one creating separation by pushing off with his off arm. I know Bowen is an extremely physical player, but the refs should not be deciding the games. Let the players play, because a bad call like this is the difference between a 2-2 series and 3-1 series. As Chuck Barkley said after the game, "The reffing has sucked." [/rant]

7 comments:

The Big Picture said...

good call with all of the damn timeouts. c'mon already. maybe they should cut the number of TOs allowed.

Pradamaster said...

Agreed. Way too many timeouts in these games that totally screw with the rhythm of the game.

Here's what I'd do if I were David Stern to change this.

1. 1 timeout per quarter/overtime. These timeouts don't carry over if you don't use them in one quarter.

2. Get rid of that retarted rule that allows the team to advance the ball to halfcourt in the last 2 minutes. That rule makes absolutely no sense at all. In college basketball, they don't have that rule, and it's a much better game (although there still are too many timeouts). Change the rule so it's like it is in college basketball.

3. The TV timeout doesn't count as a timeout.

4. Avery Johnson doesn't get any timeouts. This will even the playing field.

5. Dick Bavetta can designate a timeout to anyone he wants to in any "Dick Bavetta game."

twins15 said...

LOL at the Bavetta comment, which is sad but true.

I don't really have a problem with moving the ball to midcourt, or the TV timeouts (which there seem to be less of than in the NCAA).

I think 1 TO per quarter is not quite enough. I don't really have a problem with the amount in the first 3 quarters, so I think it'd be fine to keep that the same, but limit teams to 1 full and 1 20 in the 4th quarter.

Anonymous said...

Hey I Couldn't Agree Any More Its Makes The End Of Close Basketball Games So Frustrating To Watch. Take Tonights Cavs, Pistions Game That Just Wrapped. How Long Did The Last 3 Minutes Take To Play? Maybe 7, 8, Tops Of 9 Mins? No Were Close I Just Timed It And It Was The Last Three Minutes Took Roughly 19 Minutes 27.63 Seconds. Almost 20 Minutes To End The Last 3 Minutes? Incredible, I Didn't Keep Track Of The TO's Or TV Commercials But Come On 20 Minutes?

Thanks For The Time Ladies And Gentlemen
Heat vs. Cavs Not Looking Out To Bad

Rohit said...

How about just one full and one 20 in the final two minutes...? I like the drama time-outs bring to the game...and how many times have we seen timeouts leading to brilliant plays...? suns' timeout in game 5 against the clips did play its part in raja bell getting that 3 pt attempt from the corner...(if nothing else, the timeout did lead to dunleavy bringing the young ewing on the floor - he should have fouled bell man!) newayz... agree that there are way too many - but then timeouts add excitement to the game - i have no doubts about that!

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