Nuggets coach Michael Malone slammed Adam Silver’s concept of shedding two minutes off every quarter, a transfer the commissioner floated in a radio interview in hopes of appeasing the shorter consideration span of contemporary TV viewers.
“I hope we don’t go to 10-minute quarters,” Malone stated earlier than his Nuggets misplaced, 122-112, to the Knicks on Wednesday night time at MSG. “I hope we don’t go to the four-point line. I hope we don’t develop into Barnum & Bailey the place we’re simply having to do no matter we’ve to do to maintain viewership.
“As a result of there’s a historical past and greatness to this recreation. And a purity to this recreation and I hope we will discover a strategy to keep true to that.”
Earlier Wednesday, Silver, confronted with sagging TV scores, advised “The Dan Patrick Present” that he’s “a fan” of the 10-minute quarters — which is the format for worldwide and school hoops.
“Placing apart what it might imply for data and issues like that, I believe {that a} two-hour format for a recreation is extra constant for contemporary tv habits,” Silver stated, later including: “I don’t assume most followers can be upset if it was a two-hour presentation.”
Tom Thibodeau, like Malone, is in opposition to Silver on this concern.
“I’m in all probability extra conventional so I’d hate to see that,” the Knicks coach stated. “That’s only a private [opinion]. I haven’t actually thought of it simply due to the data and issues of that nature. I believe we’ve a terrific recreation. I believe what folks need to see is competitors.”
The Knicks are catching a break for his or her large weekend recreation.
Lakers star Anthony Davis suffered an belly pressure and will probably be reevaluated “in a couple of week,” the group introduced, that means he received’t be out there for Saturday in opposition to the Knicks.
Davis has been, by far, the Lakers’ finest participant this season whereas averaging 25.7 factors with 11.9 rebounds.
His absence in all probability will assist the Knicks win however received’t take a lot away from the pageantry of the matchup, which is all the time about LeBron James.
James, 40, the NBA’s all-time main scorer, hasn’t introduced any retirement plans however every look at MSG might probably be his final — particularly when factoring in harm potential and the actual fact the Lakers solely go to as soon as per season.
Final season, the Lakers beat the Knicks 113-105 on the Backyard, with James scoring 24 and Davis including 18 rebounds with 4 blocks.
Josh Hart performed and began after once more being listed on the harm report as questionable with knee soreness.
It was the third straight recreation Hart carried the identical harm designation and nonetheless performed.
Per NBA guidelines, a group shouldn’t be allowed to listing a participant as questionable with the identical harm if he was upgraded to out there within the 5 prior video games.
Hart is as much as 4 straight video games with knee soreness.
He was listed as possible and questionable within the two earlier video games due to cervical compression.
Hart has missed only one recreation this season, which was as a consequence of private causes.