Streaming, Networking & Sharing 24/7

NBA RULES CHANGES FOR 2010-11

The NBA Development League today announced two

rules   changes   for   the upcoming 2010-11 season: incorporating the
goaltending rule used in international competition and shortening overtime
periods. As the NBA’s official minor league, one of the NBA D-League’s
primary functions is to serve as its research and development arm.

“In addition to developing 20 percent of current NBA players and numerous
coaches and referees who are enjoying NBA success, we also function as the
NBA’s   'Research   and   Development'   department   and, therefore, are
continuously looking for ways to improve the sport of basketball,” said NBA
D-League President Dan Reed. “We believe implementing these new rules will
make our games even more exciting for both players and fans alike, while
providing a valuable service for the NBA.”

The new goaltending rule follows the standard used in the international
game that allows a player to knock the ball away when it is on the rim.
Prior to this season, the NBA D-League used NBA goaltending rules, which
prohibit players from touching the ball when it is on the cylinder.

Overtime periods in the NBA D-League this year will be three minutes in
duration, down from the five minutes of previous seasons.

“There are myriad benefits to having the NBA D-League serve as the NBA’s
farm system,” said NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations, Stu
Jackson. “One of the advantages is that it allows us to look at the rules
of play and experiment with ways we can make the game more competitive.”

Among some of the NBA D-League’s past innovations are the following:
becoming the first league under the NBA umbrella to show all of its games
live online free of charge; instituting a playoff format that allows each
of the three division winners to select its first-round opponent from among
the remaining postseason teams; and testing the adidas-developed NBA
Revolution 30 uniforms, which will be worn by NBA teams this season, as
well as various versions of the official Spalding basketball.

The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA’s official minor
league whose teams have direct affiliations to NBA franchises. For the
2010-11 season, the league will feature 16 teams – including the debut of
the Texas Legends. A proven developer of talent, 20 percent of players in
the NBA at the conclusion of the 2009-10 season boasted NBA D-League
experience, while the league continues to develop coaches, referees, and
front-office staff for the NBA and its teams. In fostering the league’s
connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health
and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational
development through NBA D-League Cares programs. The NBA D-League also
advances the game of basketball as the research and development arm of the
NBA.   Throughout the league’s 10th season, which tips off Friday, Nov. 19,
fans can watch all NBA D-League games via NBA Futurecast, the free live
Web-streaming initiative found at nba.com/dleague.