Image Credit: Stephanie Lecocq/Reuters via Imagn Images

“I am a fan of four 10-minute quarters”- Adam Silver proposes idea of shortening NBA games

According to stats, games this season have run for about 2 hours and 16 minutes on an average.

Image Credit: Stephanie Lecocq/Reuters via Imagn Images

NBA commissioner Adam Silver proposed the idea of shortening NBA games and said that he is a fan of 10-minute quarters rather than 12 minutes. The NBA games have experienced a severe decline in the viewership and their ratings have gone down to 25% across various broadcasters.

Not only this, but the games this season have run for about 2 hours and 16 minutes on an average. If the league decides to alter the duration of the game, which has been the same, 48 minutes throughout the history of the league, can have a major impact on the sport in several ways, big and small.

With shortened quarters, it would become nearly impossible to break the single-game and single-season records, but it would also enable players to play the entire game more frequently.

Silver was present on the “The Dan Patrick Show”, where he proposed the idea that the NBA games should be shortened. He said, “As we get more involved in global basketball, the NBA is the only league that plays 48 minutes. And I would be — I am — a fan of four 10-minute quarters.”

“I’m not sure that many others are. Putting aside what it means for records and things like that, yeah, I think that a two-hour format for a game is more consistent with modern television habits,” Silver added.

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Adam Silver suggests NBA could shorten games to 10-minute quarters 👀

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“There’s a greatness and a history to this game”- Nuggets coach Michael Malone on Silver’s 10-minute quarter proposal

The New York Knicks recorded a 122-112 win over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, Jan. 29. After the game, respective head coaches of the franchises reflected on the proposal made by Adam Silver, and expressed their dislike of changes.

Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau told ESPN that any change in the game would affect the ability to break records. He stated, “I’m more of a traditional guy, so I’d hate to see that.”

On the other hand, Nuggets coach Michael Malone said that one shouldn’t temper the history and greatness of the game. He said, “I give the league credit, because they’re always trying to find ways to keep the fans engaged.”

Malone added, “But I hope we don’t go to 10-minute quarters. I hope we don’t put in a 4-point line. I hope we don’t become Barnum & Bailey, or do whatever we have to do to keep viewership. Because there’s a greatness and a history to this game, and a purity to this game that I hope we can find a way to stay true to.”

Adam Silver

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.