NBA Considered Eliminating Multiple Free Throw Attempts

[RealGM Wiretap]

The NBA previously considered speeding up the game by no longer making foul shots worth one point apiece.

D-League president Dan Reed and Daryl Morey were in support of the idea, which was discussed around last season's All-Star break.

A player fouled in the act of shooting or in a penalty situation would shoot a single free throw that would be worth two points. If a player is fouled shooting a three-pointer, he would attempt a free throw worth three points.

By doing so, those 47 attempts per game would be whittled down to about 26. 

The concept might have been tested in the D-League, but Reed left his post to accept a job at Facebook.

 

Via Kevin Arnovitz/ESPN

[Hector_Reyes_8]

Morey'd still lose with Howard around. Also, knowing a guy went from working with what I believe is the NBA to Facebook is pretty funny imo.

[dballislife]

one of the stupidest ideas ive ever heard

[Meursault]

if this rule had been implemented in 1998, hack-a-shaq would have relegated the guy to a 15 ppg player, lost in the dustbin of NBA obscurity.

[Rasheeed!!!]

Not a bad concept. Wouldn't mind seeing it trialed in the D league.

Sent from my Agora Quad Core using RealGM Forums mobile app

[King4Day]

This is such a horrible idea. Part of the game is the pressure of hitting 2 or 3 big FT's. Now you reward them for just making one?
I don't see anything positive coming of this if they did go that direction.

[IMAN5]

If it's not broken, don't fix it.

Terrible idea.

[bleveland]

This is such a horrible idea. Part of the game is the pressure of hitting 2 or 3 big FT's. Now you reward them for just making one?
I don't see anything positive coming of this if they did go that direction.

or put even extra pressure by making it only one.

[Boomerfan]

Speeding the game up? What? LOL by 5 minutes? Stupidity at its best.

[Nyce_1]

Of course Morey would be behind this. With Dwight's 50% FT shooting, it benefit him a lot.

[ranger001]

If they really want to speed up the game then reduce the amount and length of the timeouts.

It should take all of 5 seconds to call a play. Reduce all timeouts to 20 seconds.

[King4Day]

This is such a horrible idea. Part of the game is the pressure of hitting 2 or 3 big FT's. Now you reward them for just making one?
I don't see anything positive coming of this if they did go that direction.

or put even extra pressure by making it only one.

While true, I feel it's to drastic a change. It's similar to taking away the extra point in football. While it may be minor, it's a huge part of the games history that's being removed.

[Chuck Newhouse]

I agree with a lot of points made here:

There is too much tradition in the process and removing it would be too big a change.

They should shorten the time outs. During the finals they were jamming so many commercials in the game I would have to push my forward 30 seconds button 6 or more times during a time out and 4 during the regular season where it was only twice during the world cup.

They should teach the referees to accelerate the process during free throws. There is to much standing and mulling around.

There is also substitutions to consider. Normally substitutions are done in between the 2 free throws so how will this affect coaching moves.

I also think free throw % will go down because I think the second free throw is hit at a higher rate than the first due to the practice effect.

[6_Rings]

Morey has finally tire of Harden stretching gametime by his numerous foul baiting tactics.

[thinktellectual]

Of course Morey would be behind this. With Dwight's 50% FT shooting, it benefit him a lot.

Excuse me for trying to induce some logic into your world, but wouldn't Dwight still make 50% of those fewer FT's ?
Wouldn't those still mean just as many points as before (since they're worth 2p instead of 1p) ?

50% x 600 FTs per season x 1 point = 300 points

50% x 300 FTs per season x 2 points = 300 points

[TrueStoryGSW]

I kinda like it to be honest.

Usually only bigs or Rondo sucks from the ft line, which works for me.

Curry
Klay
Iggy
Green
Lee

Closing lineup.

[KamikazeK]

Of course Morey would be behind this. With Dwight's 50% FT shooting, it benefit him a lot.

Excuse me for trying to induce some logic into your world, but wouldn't Dwight still make 50% of those fewer FT's ?
Wouldn't those still mean just as many points as before (since they're worth 2p instead of 1p) ?

50% x 600 FTs per season x 1 point = 300 points

50% x 300 FTs per season x 2 points = 300 points

If the volume of shot attempts goes down, don't you figure the percentage of shots made might go up?

[Brianmas23]

If they really want to speed up the game then reduce the amount and length of the timeouts.

It should take all of 5 seconds to call a play. Reduce all timeouts to 20 seconds.

They want to speed up the game and still make money.. Time outs are the reason the NBA TV deal is about to go through the roof

[dautjazz]

If they really want to speed up the game then reduce the amount and length of the timeouts.

It should take all of 5 seconds to call a play. Reduce all timeouts to 20 seconds.

Yeah, I'm not sure how much television networks are going to like that.

[thinktellectual]

Of course Morey would be behind this. With Dwight's 50% FT shooting, it benefit him a lot.

Excuse me for trying to induce some logic into your world, but wouldn't Dwight still make 50% of those fewer FT's ?
Wouldn't those still mean just as many points as before (since they're worth 2p instead of 1p) ?

50% x 600 FTs per season x 1 point = 300 points

50% x 300 FTs per season x 2 points = 300 points

If the volume of shot attempts goes down, don't you figure the percentage of shots made might go up?

What would be the reason behind that ?
It's not like shooting FTs is a very hard thing to do (from a physical standpoint).
It's not like shooting 2 FTs in a row is gonna tire your arms so you will have less odds of making the 3rd.

If anything, I would assume the FT% would go down a bit.
Maybe there are some stats for this, but I think the first FT is missed more often than the 2nd.
When shooting the 1st you might still be breathing hard if it came after a demanding battle in the post or a race to the basket. Shooting 2 in a row gives you a little time to relax, focus, get your wind back for the 2nd FT.