Hoops

20 Minute Halves

See, I was usually the largest man out there but I still didn't like the jump ball ;-)

I was not a fan of the possession arrow when it came in, but it is actually fairer than a jump ball. The stoppage occurs because there is a 50/50 event in which you cannot separate the two teams. So what could be fairer than alternating possession between the teams 50/50. Any other result has its inequities, particularly jump balls, which pretty much have a foregone conclusion on most occasions.

Ok, fair enough.

As far as the little things that make the game great, I'm all for them. You only need to watch the minute-long spectacle of watching NBA players line up and having the ref takes ages until he is satisfied enough for him to hoist the ball and you can see why the jump ball itself is not something to get excited about.

I am sure most people would say they don't like the arrow but if you ask them to outline their reasons why, they probably couldn't come up with more than "well, that's the way we have always done it." It's a small change, it hasn't impacted any games that I have ever seen but I think it's a change for the better.

And as far as me playing, yes, for many years, at competitive levels too. I love the hustle of the game and would always work my arse off. If I forced a jump ball and the arrow wasn't pointing our way, it wouldn't be of the slightest concern because you get straight back out there and do it all again. What is more rewarding, winning a jump ball, or tying a ball up TWICE so you get the possession?

Work like hell to force a jump ball? Come on, you need to put your hands on the ball at the same time as another guy, or fall on top of him when he is on the ground. It's a good effort to do so but it's not the most fantastic hustle play that you are trying to describe it as. I don't see what boxing out, picks and mind games have got to do with the possession arrow either.

Have to strongly agree with SP- many times you see a player work like hell to force a jump-ball situation, only to see it be given back to the opposition.
Yes, I realise that the arrow turns around immediately after the possession, but it rarely seems fair in competitive situations.

I just don't get the love for jump balls. I have never had a game ruined by the lack of jump ball, or had anything even come close to resembling annoyance at the arrow.

20 questions?
when did 12 minute quarters come in?
did it have to do with a slide in TV ratings?
did it create lower or extra spectators?

No to 20 minute halves ,yawnesville ,watching teams play in carnivals

So, did the first poster click "spoiler" because they think that 4 x 10mins "spoils" the game of basketball???

Would be worth adding a few extra games a season to make up for the minutes being lost.

Or alternatively, go for a 7-game finals series; I'd certainly prefer the chance to watch more than 1 knockout final or just 3 semi/grand final games at worst case.

We've seen some really good games this year - high intensity and relatively high scoring too. Whether or not it is a result of the reduction in playing time, I don't know, but if we are going to see that sort of quality because of it, I'll happily forgo an extra eight minutes of crap basketball, especially if it means more tv coverage too.

Love the 20min half format for college and domestic games...but leave the 4 quarters as is.

How is this a spoiler?