BA CHIEF HAILS NBL RULE CHANGES AS A SUCCESS
Basketball Australia Chief Executive Officer Larry Sengstock says that the National Basketball League, which tipped off its 32nd season recently, was maturing as an international league following the introduction of some new rule changes for 2009/10.
Sengstock described the recent rule changes, which include adopting the standard FIBA 10-minute quarters and reducing the number of fouls players are allowed to commit in a game from six to five, as an important step in the growth of the league.
“Our league is now 31 years old and we’re looking to cement our identity,” reflected Sengstock, who was part of the inaugural NBL season in 1979. “I liken it to a young basketballer. In our early years, we were just taking it all in and being influenced by everything around us. In our early teens, we were growing quickly and looking to establish our identity. In our twenties we lost our way a little but now that we’re in our thirties, we’re looking to use all of our experience to establish a mature image that strikes a chord with the wider community.”
Sengstock says that after two rounds of competition under the new rules, the preliminary indications were overwhelmingly positive.
“We have been really pleased with the on-court results thus far in the wake of the rule adjustments, and of the nine games played in the first two rounds all but three were decided by six points or less,” said Sengstock. “No one goes to a sporting event hoping to see a blow-out, so it’s great for the fans that the slightly shortened games are staying closer and providing an even more exciting spectacle. Every single play phase now counts.”
Sengstock said the reduction in player fouls was also having a positive impact.
“With players having one less foul to give per game, defensive players need to be more careful. That’s giving the offensive players more freedom than they’ve had in the past. As a result, over the first nine games scoring is up slightly.
“At the start of the season our clubs all agreed that they wanted our refs to call games more tightly,” Sengstock added. “They’ve been doing just that, and the players are adjusting as expected. It’s resulted in a far more open game than we’ve seen in the past. Although we still want the physicality in the post which is such a great part of the game, we want less wrestling matches and more open court basketball.”
Sengstock said that recent adjustments to establish consistent high quality game presentation levels across the league that included better use of music and entertainment was another effort to make matches even more enjoyable for fans.
“Believe me, I am all for providing entertainment to our fans and the use of ‘sport presentation’ to enhance the action on the floor.” Sengstock said. “Music is a key to that and when used well, has the effect of inspiring players and spectators to greater heights. However we clearly have not managed our entertainment well and some clubs had lost their way.
“While this new league is about a discipline and rigor it is also about making a night out at the basketball an event the whole family will enjoy. We want anyone who has been to the NBL to walk away with a memory that they can keep for life.”
