Kenny Atkinson advocates for aligning FIBA and NBA rules to enhance global basketball and suggests mandatory NBA player participation in FIBA windows, emphasizing the developmental benefits and improved game quality from international experience.
Credit: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
In a recent interview with COSMOTE TV, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson shared his perspectives on aligning FIBA and NBA regulations, as well as the importance of NBA players participating in FIBA international windows.
Atkinson emphasized the need for uniformity between FIBA and NBA rules to enhance the global basketball experience:
"When the ball is above the rim, you should be allowed to touch it. I think that's the most important thing... And I'd like to see the defensive three-second rule (in the NBA) eliminated, as is the case in FIBA," he said.
"What we need is for the rules to be the same in FIBA and the NBA. I think it would make the product better. It would be better for the fans who wouldn't have to think about whether they're watching a FIBA or NBA game."
He further elaborated on the benefits of standardized rules:
"If the rules were the same, we'd have a better game on a global level. NBA players coming from abroad should have a better understanding of FIBA rules, especially those who have participated in national team programs.
American players need more time to adapt. Fans notice a significant difference between the rules when watching international games and NBA games. Understanding the game will be better worldwide; we'll all be together, and the quality of the game will be better."
Atkinson highlighted the positive feedback from the Olympics as an example:
"We saw it at the Olympics, right? In the France-USA game, I received many messages saying this is the best basketball I've ever seen. Watching the Brazilians, Japan, where we almost lost the game... It's a 40-minute game; every possession counts."
Atkinson advocated for mandatory participation of NBA players in FIBA international windows, citing the developmental benefits:
"I would like it to be mandatory (for players) to play in the Windows because players become better through FIBA basketball. I think we've seen it with American players, we've seen it with French players, all the great Spanish players, the Gasols (Pau and Marc). FIBA basketball makes you better. I would really push for that; it would be great to open more windows and make it mandatory."
Drawing parallels with soccer, he noted:
"I think that's what happens in football, right? Everything stops; you have to go to your national team, and if you don't go, it's something that's not considered good. Again, what I have in mind is player development. How do you become better? Through international experience, the FIBA experience completes you."
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