<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">NBA Approves Two Rules Changes in NBDL New York, Nov. 11 ? The National Basketball Association has approved two rules changes ? the Three-Point Rule and the Seven-Second Rule ? in its minor league, the National Basketball Development League, for the 2004-05 season. ?The NBDL gives us an opportunity to experiment with the rules of the game,? said Stu Jackson, NBA Senior Vice President Basketball Operations. ?With these rule changes in our minor league, we will be able to observe how the game is affected and gather data from an entire basketball season in a league with like rules and a similar style.? The Three-Point Rule states: a) During the first, second, third, and fourth periods, a successful field goal shall count as two points if it is attempted (i) from any spot on the floor when the game clock shows 3:01 or more time remaining in the period, or (ii) from the area on or inside the three-point field goal line when the game clock shows 3:00 or less time remaining in the period. During any overtime period, a successful field goal shall count as two points if it is attempted from the area on or inside the three-point field goal line. When the game clock shows 3:00 or less time remaining in the first, second, third, or fourth periods, and during the entirety of any overtime period, a successful field goal shall count as three points if it is attempted from the area outside the three-point line, in accordance with the following: (1) The shooter must have at least one foot on the floor outside the three-point field goal line prior to the attempt. (2) The shooter may not be touching the floor on or inside the three-point field goal line. (3) The shooter may contact the three-point field goal line, or land in the two-point field goal area, after the ball is released. (4) If the attempt is made during the first, second, third, or fourth periods, the ball must leave the shooter?s hand with the game clock showing 3:00 or less. The Seven-Second Rule states: A team shall not be in continuous possession of a ball which is in its backcourt for more than 7 consecutive seconds. EXCEPTION (1): A new 7 seconds is awarded if the defense: (1) kicks or punches the ball, (2) is assessed a personal or technical foul, or (3) issued a delay of game warning. EXCEPTION (2): A new 7 seconds is awarded if play is suspended to administer Comments on the Rules ? N ? Infection Control and all jump balls. PENALTY: Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opposing team at the midcourt line. The league is not considering similar rule changes in the NBA at the current time. Potential NBA rule changes are first considered by the league?s Competition Committee before being recommended to the Board of Governors. Rule changes in the NBA require a two-thirds vote in favor by the Board of Governors. The NBDL, the NBA?s minor league, includes the Fayetteville Patriots (N.C.), Florida Flame (Ft. Myers), Huntsville Flight (Ala.), Roanoke Dazzle (Va.), Columbus Riverdragons (Ga.) and Asheville Altitude (N.C.). The league offers players the opportunity to develop their talent in a highly competitive atmosphere under the NBA?s umbrella. Twenty-eight (28) players have been called up the NBA on 39 separate occasions. Nine former NBDL coaches, five athletic trainers, 11 referees and 29 front office executives have also been called up since the start of the league?s inaugural season in November 2001. Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the league also offers fun, family entertainment at affordable prices. The NBDL is a source of on-court talent for the NBA?s 30 teams and is a diverse human resources pool for the NBA and its teams by training employees in management, operations, public relations, sales and marketing positions.</div> Link
