High Hoops

Tired of basketball above the rim, a former NBA assistant coach kicks things up a notch

THE RATINGS for the Spurs' NBA Finals sweep suggest otherwise, but former NBA assistant coach Tom Newell believes there are people who want to watch fundamentally sound, team-based basketball. That's why last Saturday in Seattle, Newell staged a game with rims raised to 11 feet. The idea: Foot-higher baskets would cut down on dunking and three-pointers, leading to more passing. Says Newell, who called in 20 college and overseas players, "The game has been distorted so players don't use skills other than jumping."

The effects of the extra height were obvious. Outside shooting was tougher; interior players moved away from the basket to get a good shooting angle. (Dunks weren't allowed for safety reasons.) As a result there was less congestion and more ball movement. Newell was encouraged, but some players were ready to lower their games again. "I can't wait to get back to a 10-foot rim," said Adam Zahn, a former Oregon forward. "This showed me that I do rely on my athleticism a lot."