A Gameplan for OT

The Lakers' infuriatingly predictable comeback win tonight was hard to watch. When Shaq made the 3-point play and the Pistons turned it over on the subsequent possession, I had all but given up hope for Detroit. You just knew the Lakers were gonna hit a 3 to tie it, and because of that momentum surge, there would be no way to win in overtime.

In fact I've long held that basketball's overtime system actually hurts the game from a dramatic standpoint. The suspense that builds up during a back-and-forth nailbiting fourth quarter is often nullified by adding five whole minutes back on the clock. An 8- or 9-point victory in overtime doesn't do justice to the razor thin margins of the final moments of regulation. The tension of the close game is nullified. That's why I propose overhauling the format of overtime completely: first team to 11 points wins.

Here's how it works: 1) Turn off the game clock, but leave the 24 second shot clock. 2) Give each team two timeouts. 3) On all non-shooting fouls, the team that is fouled gets the option of shooting free throws or inbounding the ball. With this format, the object of overtime is to make the most of each possession. Imagine the tension every time the ball is brought up the court- do you go for three? Try to draw a foul? At what point do you use your timeouts? hink about if you were a point guard bringing the ball up with your team down 10-8. Do you play it safe and go for two or pull up for a game-winning 3?

Setting the victory mark at 11 points is perfect because you can reach that total in anywhere from four to six possessions. If you've got some three-point gunners on your squad, you've always got a shot to win quickly. Alternatively, if you've got a big man with a high-percentage move in the low post, he could be your go-to guy. Every overtime would become riveting. But this format wouldn't just be all about offense- a lockdown defense is critical. On that last possession, you need to get a stop because you can't just foul and hope to get the ball back.

Think about what Kobe or Tim Duncan or Reggie Miller could do in these circumstances. Could you imagine the wild atmosphere of overtime in a college arena? Dick Vitale might tear his shirt off in excitement. How could this idea possibly fail?