I don't know how many of you have been keeping up with this league, but I'm very much looking forward to seeing how it pans out. This Ice Cube brainchild will feature 8 teams of former NBA players, competing in a series of 3-on-3 games every Saturday for 10 weeks. All of the teams will be completely run by the players.
There was a draft that took place in order to come up with these teams. I'm glad to see notable names in the mix among some of the not-so-great. That being said, it's sad as hell Steve Francis couldn't make the cut in this group, but that's a conversation for another day.
Fox has picked up the television rights to the league. They will be airing the the games on Fox and FS1. Gus Johnson and Jim Jackson will provide commentary, with Michael Rappaport chiming in as a sideline reporter. The first broadcast is scheduled for Monday, June 26 (8:00 PM ET) on FS1.
I think this either going to be awesome or a complete train wreck, but I'm leaning towards the former. More summer hoops should be a good thing. The rules look interesting as well. If anything, hopefully some 2K Park boys will be inspired not to play like morons after watching this. We can only hope.
TEAMS
CAPTAIN: COREY MAGGETTE
CO-CAPTAIN: CUTTINO MOBLEY
JEROME WILLIAMS
DESHAWN STEVENSON
MOOCHIE NORRIS
COACH: CLYDE DREXLER
CAPTAIN: BRIAN SCALABRINE
CO-CAPTAIN: JOSH CHILDRESS
DERRICK BYARS
RASUAL BUTLER
DOMINIC MCGUIRE
COACH: RICK BARRY
CAPTAIN: MIKE BIBBY
CO-CAPTAIN: RICKY DAVIS
MO EVANS
MARCUS BANKS
IVAN JOHNSON
COACH: GEORGE GERVIN
CAPTAIN: KENYON MARTIN
CO-CAPTAIN: AL HARRINGTON
RASHAD MCCANTS
JAMES WHITE
DION GLOVER
COACH: RICK MAHORN
CAPTAIN: RASHARD LEWIS
CO-CAPTAIN: JASON WILLIAMS
KWAME BROWN
EDDIE BASDEN
MAHMOUD ABDUL-RAUF
COACH: GARY PAYTON
CAPTAIN: JERMAINE O'NEAL
CO-CAPTAIN: BONZI WELLS
XAVIER SILAS
LEE NAILON
MIKE JAMES
COACH: JULIUS "DR J" ERVING
CAPTAIN: CHAUNCEY BILLUPS
CO-CAPTAIN: STEPHEN JACKSON
REGGIE EVANS
LARRY HUGHES
BRIAN COOK
PLAYER COACH: CHARLES OAKLEY
CAPTAIN: ALLEN IVERSON
CO-CAPTAIN: DERMARR JOHNSON
ANDRE OWENS
MIKE SWEETNEY
RUBEN PATTERSON
PLAYER COACH: ALLEN IVERSON
RULES
- Standard 2 and 3 point shots apply
- Exclusive 4 point shots when a player is touching ANY PART of the “4 Point Circle”
- Additional free throw taken if a player is fouled while making a shot
- A shooting foul will receive the number of shots corresponding to the missed attempt (2, 3, 4 points)
- All personal fouls will be counted as team fouls: No foul outs.
- On and after the 5th team foul (per half) opponents get 2 shots and ball possession
- A technical foul results in 2 foul shots & the ball. Every technical foul after the first results in 4 foul shots & ball possession
- First team to 60 Points wins
- Half-time happens after a team scores 30 Points
- Team must win by 4 Points
- Substitutions made on a dead ball or by calling time
- After a made shot, referee must touch the ball. After giving the defense :03 seconds to set, losers (opposing team) must take ball beyond the top out of bounds line. Player has :05 seconds to return ball inbounds
- Defensive rebounds (that touch the rim) MUST BE CLEARED
- The ball is cleared when the player with the ball establishes both feet behind the 3 point line. The ball can be cleared by dribbling or passing
- The defensive rebounder that makes a direct pass that clears the ball, must clear the lane and re-establish himself before his team's shot or pass hits the rim
- If a shot or pass hits the rim without being cleared it will result in a turnover
- Once a team has cleared the ball and establishes itself on offense, the normal “3 seconds in the key” rule applies
- There is no defensive "3 second" rule
- Steals do not have to be cleared
- Defensive rebounds that don’t touch the rim do not have to be cleared
- Instant replay applies
- All defensive strategies allowed
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