FIBA changes rules; international basketball now closer to NBA

The FIBA Central Board, the executive and administrative arm of the international basketball governing body, has implemented significant rules changes that bring international competitions more in line with the NBA. The major changes will go into effect after the 2010 world championships, but there are other changes coming in for 2008 after the Olympics.

Among these changes is a mandate that players can't wear tee shirts under their jersey, which puts it in contrast with the NCAA; a declaration that it is goaltending/basket interference if a player touches the ball while reaching through the basket; excessive elbow-swinging now results in a technical foul; and inhibiting a fast break from behind is now a flagrant/unsportsmanlike foul. Also, if a player slips and loses control of the ball, it is not traveling.

However, the biggest rule changes, the ones for 2010, have the potential to revolutionise the international game, including:

-The introduction of the rectangular lane.

-The introduction of the block/charge arc under the basket, where any foul called in that area is automatically a blocking foul.

-The move of the three-point line from 6.25 m (roughly 20 feet, six inches) to 6.75 m (roughly 22 feet, two inches)

-If a call results in a reset of the shot clock, they will only reset it to 14 seconds if it is under 14 seconds.

These changes reflect the growing influence of the NBA in the international basketball landscape. They also can explain why the NCAA men's basketball rules committee adopted 20 feet, 9 inches as the new three-point line for next year as opposed to the international line. Perhaps the NCAA new something about what FIBA was going to do.

Basketball officials say that the rule changes represent a convergence of all actors of the global game. Specifically, Val Ackerman, the president of USA Basketball, told USA TODAY that it symbolises the concept of "one world, one game." She did not elaborate as to who controlled the direction of the change, but the word around the blogosphere is that David Stern has been in the ears of Patrick Baumann, the FIBA general secretary, and others on the Central Board. Of course, it is only word around the blogosphere.

Those who are directly involved with the US national team believe that these changes will benefit them. Jim Boeheim, an assistant to Coach K, says that the narrower lane near the basket will allow the US team to take advantage of more post play.

So what do you guys think? Convergence is good, but should it be towards the NBA rules? Is this really a plot by the NBA to gain further influence outside North America? Will the style of play in Europe and elsewhere disappear?

The link is the press release from FIBA outlining the changes. The comments attached to it are interesting. Also, there are a number of other sites to visit, including the USA TODAY article with the quotes. This article also has a helpful comparison:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/2008-04-22-hoops-changes_N.htm

Here is a report on the changes as they were enacted (unfortunately, I can't find anything aside from Chinese state news):

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-04/26/content_8057157.htm

And here is the blogosphere:

http://www.ballineurope.com/basketball-business/good-bye-fiba-hello-nba/

http://www.ballineurope.com/basketball-business/the-rules-are-changing/

Also, take a look at the photo of the new international court.