NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is always looking for ways to improve the league. Over the years, he has introduced major changes like the NBA Cup and tweaks to the All-Star Game. Now, he’s considering even bigger shifts, shorter games, new free-throw rules for three-point fouls, and a revamped All-Star format. While nothing is set in stone, these ideas could significantly impact how the NBA operates.
One of the biggest proposals is reducing game time from four 12-minute quarters to four 10-minute quarters. This would align the NBA with international basketball, where games last 40 minutes instead of 48. Silver believes a two-hour game fits modern TV habits better, saying, “I don’t think most fans would be disappointed.”
A shorter format could also reduce player fatigue by cutting 656 minutes per season, equivalent to about 16 full games. However, critics argue that star players might still play heavy minutes in crucial moments, making the impact on load management uncertain.
Another potential change is adjusting free throws for fouls on three-pointers. Right now, fouled shooters get three shots, but Silver suggests cutting it to two. This would reduce the penalty for aggressive defense and might encourage more physical play. However, teams could take advantage of this rule in late-game situations by intentionally fouling three-point shooters, leading to strategic changes. While three-point shooting fouls are rare, only about 0.44 per game, this rule could still alter late-game strategies significantly.
A New Look For The NBA All-Star Game
The NBA is also making big changes to the All-Star Game. Instead of the usual format, the 2025 edition will feature a four-team mini-tournament. Each game will be played to 40 points, and the winning team gets a prize pool of $1.8 million. TNT analysts Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith will draft three teams, while the fourth will be made up of the Rising Stars Game winners, coached by WNBA legend Candace Parker.
This new format is part of Silver’s push to make the league more exciting. Since taking over as commissioner in 2014, Silver has implemented numerous changes aimed at increasing fan engagement, such as the introduction of the coach’s challenge, reducing stoppages in the final two minutes of games, and introducing the NBA Cup. The latter, an in-season tournament inspired by European soccer leagues, has made the regular season more exciting and has been well-received.
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