USA/International Basketball Comparison

It has been an interesting 2007 summer to say the least and I would like to finish with a comparison of International and USA basketball.

If I had to make a choice, I would most certainly choose the way international basketball is played and officiated. I love the flow of the games, the quickness by which it is played with the (24) second clock, and the international rules. I love the (10) minute quarters. It gives the fans and teams a time to catch their breath and ready themselves for more excitement. I like the "use them or lose them" (2) timeouts in the 1st half and I absolutely love the fact that you CANNOT call timeout when the ball is in play. If your team is in trouble on the floor (ie-trapped), tough luck. If the defense has done their job, why should you be able to call time and bail yourself out? During the game, if you would like a timeout, you tell the scorers table and they will blow the horn when you can have one.

I also like the way the officials let the players play, looking only for major disadvantages, and if the players get a bit emotional on the floor, they mostly ignore them and let them rant a bit. I like it when freethrows are being shot, players are moving in and out of lane spots and no one complains. Just make your freethrows and shut up. I like the 5th foul per quarter rule to get into the 2 shot penalty. No 1 bonus 1 silliness. Is that a carnival rule? Remember when the NBA had the 3 to make 2 freethrow rule? I also greatly like the fact that the penalty starts over each quarter. That way, a team is not severely penalized for an entire half if they get the short end on some whistles.

I absolutely love the pregame introductions which start with (10) minutes remaining on the warmup clock. No one ever takes their teams off the floor during warmups. The entire team is introduced quickly and line up on respective freethrow lines. Each national anthem is played followed by handshakes and gift exchange. No starting lineups and NO ego checks. It is such a team thing! Once the introductions and handshakes are complete, the players have 3-4 minutes to shoot around some more.

International basketball has a certain flow and purity to it and is not bogged down by unnecessary whistles and rules. You have (8) seconds to get over half court, the (5) second closely guarded is never called, and (3) seconds in the lane is (3) seconds. DONT GET CAUGHT CAMPING! I know the USA keeps a close eye on the international flow of basketball and has moved a bit in that direction. It is my hope they continue.