I finally got an opportunity to watch the Spurs first Summer League at the California Classic. It’s exciting to see the new guys come together. It was also interesting to learn the league is testing out a free throw rule that has been in place for the G-League.
The “One Free Throw” rule is substituted for any foul resulting in a shot whether it be an “and one,” or a two or three-point value. It’s all or nothing, you get all the available points or nothing at all. The caveat is that the standard free throw rules kick in at the two-minute mark of the fourth quarter and continue through any subsequent overtime.
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The G-League has utilized this format since the 2019-2020 season and it has been said to improve game flow. The commentators for the Spurs/Heat Summer League game estimated a 5-6 minute subtracting in game length.
Personally, I don’t like it, but then I am always resistant to change. My big “I remember when” harkens back to when players had five fouls before having to sit out the remainder of the game. I accept and evolve, but still remind folks of how it used to be.
So like any adjustment to the game, I eventually come around. That said, I question the use of the rule for timing. Couldn’t the game be shortened by five or six minutes (or more) if they simply reversed the Coach’s Challenge? For me, that kills two birds with one stone. Lose the last big new change while simultaneously canceling the new one.
Another good point was brought up during the game — what is the hit to revenue? When players shoot free throws, they generally get a quick spot in for Frost Bank, Beldon Roofing, or Thomas J. Henry. Does the loss of those ad buys make a significant impact?
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Also, how will this affect free throw averages? Do the makes/misses could as one shot of the amount of free throws the shot is worth?
I realize we’re only one game in. There’s still time to get used to it. And nothing official is happening in regular season NBA games.
What about you, Pounders, any initial thoughts on the free throw rule?
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