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NBA News: Nets vs. Celtics to Test Shorter Quarters

By Michael Dunlap

Apr 19, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) shoots with the 24-second shot clock not functioning during the game against the Brooklyn Nets in game one during the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Nets beat the Raptors 94-87. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) shoots with the 24-second shot clock not functioning during the game against the Brooklyn Nets in game one during the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Nets beat the Raptors 94-87. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NBA will try shorter quarters in the Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets preseason game.

According to a press release sent out by the NBA this morning, the league is going to experiment with 11-minute quarters instead of the standard 12-minute quarters. They will do this during the Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets preseason game on Oct. 19 from the Barclays Center.

The length of games in all major sports has always been an issue and while much has been made about the NBA and the length — specifically the end of games — has been a problem, I don’t see where changing the length of quarters is going to solve anything.

The key in this shortening of the game is the fact that there will only be two mandatory timeouts per quarter in the second and fourth quarters, as opposed to the current format of three mandatory timeouts. But again, that doesn’t deal with the major time suck — the end of game timeouts that stretch the last minute of game upwards of 15 minutes.

NBA President of Basketball Operations Rod Thorn said:

"“At our recent coaches’ meeting, we had a discussion about the length of our games, and it was suggested that we consider experimenting with a shorter format. After consulting with our Competition Committee, we agreed to allow the Nets and Celtics to play a 44-minute preseason game in order to give us some preliminary data that will help us to further analyze game-time lengths.”"

One of the more interesting effects of a shorter game was brought up by Nets coach Lionel Hollins:

"“I’m looking forward to gauging its impact on the flow of the game.   Since there is a shorter clock, it affects playing time, so it’ll be interesting to see how it plays into substitution patterns.”"

I’ll be very interested to see the impact that has on the game. One would think the starters would play 48 minutes per game if they had the stamina. I don’t see where shortening the game would have any impact on wanting your best players out there as long as they’re fresh and effective.

If anything, this would make a major impact on the rotation guys who come in to spell the starters. Instead of getting their 15-20 minutes a game, they’ll be more limited and won’t have as much of an impact on the game. Less impact will lead to less salary.

Considering the fact that the league is made up of one-third starters and two-thirds bench players, you’d think they’d have some concerns about the potential of a system that figures to take money out of their pockets.