Nuggets coach Michael Malone slammed Adam Silver’s thought 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 recent TV viewers.
“I hope we don’t go to 10-minute quarters,” Malone mentioned 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.
“Because there is a history and greatness to this game. And a purity to this game and I hope we can find a way to stay true to that.”
Earlier Wednesday, Silver, confronted with sagging TV scores, advised “The Dan Patrick Show” that he’s “a fan” of the 10-minute quarters — which is the format for worldwide and school hoops.
“Putting aside what it would mean for records and things like that, I think that a two-hour format for a game is more consistent for modern television habits,” Silver mentioned, later including: “I don’t think most fans would be disappointed if it was a two-hour presentation.”
Tom Thibodeau, like Malone, is towards Silver on this situation.
“I’m probably more traditional so I’d hate to see that,” the Knicks coach mentioned. “That’s just a personal [opinion]. I haven’t really thought about it just because of the records and things of that nature. I think we have a great game. I think what people want to see is competition.”
The Knicks are catching a break for his or her large weekend sport.
Lakers star Anthony Davis suffered an belly pressure and can be reevaluated “in about a week,” the workforce introduced, which means he received’t be accessible for Saturday towards the Knicks.
Davis has been, by far, the Lakers’ greatest 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 may doubtlessly be his final — particularly when factoring in damage 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 damage report as questionable with knee soreness.
It was the third straight sport Hart carried the identical damage designation and nonetheless performed.
Per NBA guidelines, a workforce isn’t allowed to listing a participant as questionable with the identical damage if he was upgraded to accessible 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 sport this season, which was as a result of private causes.
