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New inbounds rule thrills coaches
The NBA implemented a few rules changes this season, ranging from the number of timeouts allowed to resetting the shot clock after a jump ball. But the biggest change concerns inbounding the ball in the last two minutes of regulation or overtime after a change of possession. Coming out of a timeout, the offensive team now has the option of inbounding the ball in the backcourt, as opposed to being restricted to only the frontcourt. Coaches have been fighting for this change for years. In the past, it was very difficult to get the ball in, particularly in the last few seconds of a game when the officials let a lot of contact go uncalled. You might see a team call two or three consecutive timeouts, not being able to inbound the ball.
From a coaching standpoint, that made a lot of teams look as if they were poorly coached. But now, having the option to throw the ball into the backcourt -- without the big bodies being jammed into one area of the court -- makes it much easier. New faces thrive in new placesNew acquisitions John Starks and Isaiah Rider already have made significant contributions to the Jazz and Lakers, respectively. The veteran shooting guards, who each missed time last season because of bad situations with their old teams, have come out firing. After Starks sat out most of last year with various injuries, a lot of people in the NBA thought he was losing his athleticism and aggressiveness. But he's always had the guts to take big shots -- even if he doesn't make them -- and it looks as if he's regained his old form. In fact, if Starks can continue to play well, this will be the best team the Jazz have had. With the additions of Donyell Marshall and Danny Manning and David Benoit, they will be a good team -- provided Starks continues to fill Jeff Hornacek's shoes. Meanwhile, in L.A., Rider is really trying to incorporate his game into a team effort, which is a great tribute to Phil Jackson. But we have to wait to pass final judgment on that signing.
New coaches need time to settle inIt took Isiah Thomas and Lenny Wilkens a few tries to win their first games with their new teams, but that really doesn't come as a surprise. Any time you have a new coach with a new group of players, it's a difficult situation, particularly if the previous coach had been with the team for three or four years. At the same time, Sidney Lowe has done a nice job in getting the Grizzlies off to a 3-1 start, particularly in their win against Seattle. Vancouver has really shown signs of improvement, especially on the bench, and the team has a great young backcourt in Mike Bibby and Michael Dickerson, who is one of the most underrated players in the NBA. I don't think it's a situation where they'll make the playoffs, but it's a good start.
A coaching change always requires a feeling-out process, and unless you're working with a strong team, it takes a while for everyone to start performing well. So it's a little too early to make any concrete judgments on the new coaches and their new teams.
Kevin Loughery is a former NBA player and head coach. He appears each Sunday on CNN/Sports Illustrated's This Week in the NBA.
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