[JJSR Highlights] New Proposed Changes to the NBA

The National Basketball Association (NBA) was first created in 1891 by James Naismith and has slowly developed over time to create the game we watch and know today. Since the league was first established, many rule changes have been implemented into the game and league to make it more entertaining to the fans and players. 

 

In the past there has been many monumental rule changes to the league, such as the idea of free agency in 1988 and the introduction of the three-point line in 1979; both of these changes have dramatically impacted the NBA. More recently and in addition to previous changes made to the league, the NBA has considered making new changes to it that would completely overhaul it.

One of the changes the NBA is considering is reducing the number of games in a season from 82 to 58 games. The league is considering this because stars of NBA teams have routinely sat out regular season games and played less minutes near the end of season in order to rest their body and stay healthy for a potentially two-month long playoff run. Also, players playing more games can mean more injuries to the players and fatigue is an important factor for it. 

A great example of a player who has experienced this is Lebron James. He made the NBA Finals every year from 2011 to 2018 playing a total of 168 playoff games in that span. A regular season consists of 82 games meaning he has played more than two extra seasons from the playoffs themselves. By only playing 58 games, players would play a significantly less amount of games and would be able to stay healthy for a long playoff run. 

Many NBA players such as Lebron James and Dirk Nowitzki say that they would be open to a shorter season. However, a shorter season means players, owners, and workers at the stadium would take a pay cut which means that it would be unlikely that the change would occur. Shortening the season would mean less injuries to the players and better quality of play, but players would need to make a sacrifice in money for this to happen in the NBA.

Another idea NBA commissioner Adam Silver is interested in adding is a midseason tournament. The tournament would be played during All-Star Weekend and would be a similar concept to international soccer where there are multiple tournaments throughout the season. There may be a reward to players or the team for winning for them to be more interested in a midseason tournament. 

Throughout its history, the NBA has made many changes to the league to make it more entertaining and better for the players. More changes such as the recently proposed ones will not only make the game more exciting but allow players to better enjoy it by staying healthier and playing their best in front of the fans throughout the whole season.

 

Jonathan Kim, Grade 8

Culver City Middle School