Kevin Arnovitz on TrueHoop suggests basketball would be better off returning to a time before free throws. Some of the responses to his suggestion are pretty funny.
I always thought there were far too many fouls called in NBA games. If your on the playground that tiny stuff doesn't matter. Change the rules so players foul out after 3 fouls. Players will adjust the way they defend. Boom problem solved.
Here's my solution Option-1 Have players only shoot 1 free throw but make it worth two points instead of 1. Whats the point of shooting 2 shots? If a guy is going in for a layin and gets fouled he has to shoot two shots to make his two points that he would have likely had anyways. Option-2 Have the players shoot 1st free throw if they make it they get two points and don't shoot the 2nd free throw. If they miss they get another free throw worth 1 point. The only time they would be required to shoot three free throws is on a player being fouled on a 3 pointer. Mainly because 3 point shots are more difficult and should require the shooter to prove he would make the shot. I realize this will never happen mainly because it completely changes the game.
How about: every foul that currently counts as a free-throw-producing foul should instead count as two fouls (with no free throws). If the fouler already has five fouls, then the other foul gets to be assigned to the player of the fouled-player's-team's choice.
I liked the suggestion of have the offending player stand off to the side (like a power play in hockey) until there is a change of possession.
I think both of these suggestions would increase intentional fouling. To decrease intentional fouling/fourth quarter shenanigans you'd have to make fouling more serious. Drop the foul-out to three in one half instead of six total, or to five and out instead of six, fouls in the last two minutes don't change possession, etc. My grandfather used to say that NBA games should be two minutes long and with the way fourth quarters tend to play out I see where he was coming from.
