BREAKING: L.A Lakers LeBron James officially Calls out T…read more.
NBA superstar LeBron James is calling for two major changes to league rules, drawing inspiration from international basketball. Speaking on his “Mind the Game” podcast alongside Steve Nash, James suggested the NBA should explore shortening games and modifying its goaltending policy.
One of James’ proposals is reducing NBA games from the current **48 minutes to 40 minutes**, which aligns with FIBA’s format. He believes this could create a faster-paced, more intense game. “International games have a different level of urgency,” James said. While he acknowledged such a change could disrupt the league’s historical statistics, he believes the benefits to the game’s flow and excitement could outweigh those concerns.
His second suggestion involves adopting FIBA’s **goaltending rules**, which allow players to touch the ball once it hits the rim. In contrast, the NBA prohibits interference while the ball is still above the basket. “I love how FIBA handles it—it keeps players active and adds a level of unpredictability,” James said. Though such situations are rare, he thinks the rule would bring more dynamic action to rebounding and late-game plays.
Interestingly, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has previously hinted at a willingness to discuss shortening game lengths, noting the NBA remains the only major league still using a 48-minute format. Moving to four 10-minute quarters could bring the NBA in line with global standards and potentially enhance fan engagement.
With James being one of the most respected voices in basketball, his views could influence future discussions among league executives. While both suggestions would require careful evaluation, especially regarding statistics and game tradition, they reflect a growing openness to evolution within the sport.
