Fresh off watching the excellent basketball at the Paris Olympics, it was interesting to see some of the rule changes in international basketball from the NBA and NCAA.  No goal tending after the ball touches the rim, the lack of the defensive 3 second rule, different game lengths, foul limits, ball size, and 3 point distance. Not insignificant stuff, but also pretty hard to argument whether it was “better” or “worse” for the game; just different.  But…there was one additional rule difference that was far more subtle, but I would contend very logical.  It has to do with timeouts, and when you can call them.

I believe timeouts in professional basketball, as we know them, were introduced in 1949.  There have been numerous changes in quantity, length, and ball placement after the timeout.  But one consistent fact, at least in the United States, is that timeous can be called during active play. This applies to the NBA and college basketball. It’s been an accepted practice for a long time. But, why? To my inquiring mind, it makes absolutely no sense.  Oddly,  I have never heard a commentator, player, coach or fan even mention it.    But I contend basketball fans on Vulcan shudder at the immense illogic of this rule.  And international basketball does not allow this; you can only call timeouts during dead ball situations.

There are a lot of timeouts in basketball.  Maybe too many, but that is a whole other subject. There are also a lot of stoppages.  A LOT.   So many dead ball opportunities for a timeout: Baskets, fouls, out of bounds, free throws, jump balls.  So why are timeouts allowed during active play?  There is simply no logical reason for it, at least that I can think of.

The primary repercussion of this rule is the effect on defense.    I know, I know, offense sells tickets. But we really have plenty, and I actually feel sorry for coaches and players that execute a perfect half court or corner trap, and…..timeout.   The ball handler is simply bailed out.

There was a game several years ago.  I had a strong rooting interest, of course. Here was the situation:  My team (the good guys) had the ball, and a slim lead, with the shot clock running down, but also well less than a minute on the game clock.   We took a shot, it missed, but we got the rebound in traffic.  In trying to dribble out of traffic the player was tied up….jump ball!.  After the jump, a mad scramble ensued, an opponent player and one of our guys dived on the court after the ball.  The opponent may have (ok, probably) got his hand on the ball a split second sooner than our guy (yes, LESS than a second).  I jumped up from my man cave chair and yelled “jump ball!”.   Nope.  Timeout…opponent given possession.  The timeout was from the bench, not the player, who was busy diving on the court.   It was probably impossible that the coach called the timeout at that exact moment. Probably he was yelling it before and after. Ridiculous!  Of course, the opponent won the game at the buzzer, furthering my ire.  The point is, let players play, let them decide the game on the court.  The real irony is that when my team secured the initial rebound, our coach also called timeout too, but apparently was not heard!  

Imagine an NFL quarterback dropping back to pass, getting flushed with a hard blitz, seeing no options, about to be sacked…..timeout!

I was a high school and college lacrosse coach (mens) for many years.  Lacrosse has the same odd rule.  I used it, why not?   I’d have a player double teamed, about to lose the ball, I’d just call timeout. Instant “Get out of jail” card. I loved it, and hated it when the opposing coach did the same thing.  One difference, only 2 timeouts per team per half.  Perhaps that’s a partial answer.

Will this rule ever change? The NBA has been pretty good historically in trying out new rules. Will the Olympic/International basketball rules create some critical thinking about this rule? Maybe the logic of this will rub off on the numerous NBA players and coaches in attendance.  I would love the change.  Think of all the neat traps that could be set for the ball handler.  Defensive coaches would be in heaven!   Some possible added benefits: the stupid technical foul for a player calling a timeout with no timeouts remaining is eliminated.  Another possible benefit: at the end of the game when the team leading a close contest has the ball, there is an alternative to the intentional foul.  Could this help alleviate the parade to the foul line that often mares a great game?

We can only dream!