Phil Jackson watches the Kentucky Wildcats game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Rupp Arena on February 28, 2015. (Photo : Getty Images/Andy Lyons)
The NBA has evolved into a three-point shooting league and it seems like the introduction of the four-point line will eventually happen. One of the advocates of this idea is New York Knicks president Phil Jackson, who also wants to add six seconds to the shot clock.
In an interview with Charley Rosen of Today's Fastbreak, Jackson suggested the four-point line and 30-second shot clock as ways to improve the league. He noted that he wants to lessen the blowout games and improve the team game with this couple of ideas.
"Why not have a four-point line about 35 feet out? It wouldn't be long before players will get reasonably comfortable shooting from out there," Jackson said.
The 11-time champion coach mentioned that having a four-point line will help teams erase big deficits in a faster rate. As for the 30-second shot clock, he added that it gives low post players more touches while making defenses work harder.
According to CBS Sports, these kinds of changes will not immediately happen in the NBA but is going to be evaluated as the game evolves even more. The introduction of the four-point line will stretch out defenses even more but it opens up frontcourt players.
It will balance out the value of shooters as well as low post players. As for the longer shot clock, it also helps the big men in the post. The added six seconds will favor teams that like to play slow and draw up plays.
Nevertheless, the NBA will take a hard look at these changes in the future. Players like Stephen Curry, who has unlimited range, will benefit the most from these ruling. However, post players such as Dwight Howard will get more touches.
The NBA introduced the three-point line in the 1979-80 season, 12 years after the American Basketball Association popularized it. The arc radius of the NBA's three-point line is 23 feet, nine inches or about 7.24 meters.
On the other hand, the 24-second shot clock was introduced in the NBA by Syracuse Nationals owner Danny Biasone in the 1954-55 season. The rule has not been changed ever since but the NCAA still uses a 30-second shot clock.
Check out the video below for a discussion about the possibility of the NBA adopting the four-point line.
