Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson is advocating for the NBA to align its rulebook with FIBA, citing benefits for both players and fans.
Atkinson, who played professionally in Europe and previously worked as an assistant for the French national team, believes rule unification would improve the global basketball landscape. He specifically pointed to FIBA’s goaltending rules, the elimination of the defensive three-second violation, and a shift to 40-minute games.
“When the ball is in the rim, you should be allowed to touch it,” Atkinson said, via EuroHoops. “I think that’s the most important thing. And Adam Silver said that it could be done, I’m not sure why it hasn’t changed.”
The NBA currently enforces a rule that prevents players from touching the ball once it makes contact with the rim, while FIBA allows offensive and defensive players to swat the ball away or tip it in once it bounces inside the cylinder. Atkinson believes adopting FIBA’s standard would simplify the game and create a more consistent experience for international and domestic audiences.
Beyond goaltending, Atkinson wants to see the NBA remove the defensive three-second rule, which prohibits defenders from camping in the paint without actively guarding an opponent. “What we need is for the rules to be the same in FIBA and the NBA. I think it would make the product better,” he said. “It would be better for the fans, they wouldn’t have to go back and forth, if it’s FIBA or if it’s the NBA.”
Atkinson’s push for rule changes comes as he leads Cleveland to the best record in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers (60-15) hold a four-game lead over the Boston Celtics (56-19) and trail only the Oklahoma City Thunder (63-12) for the NBA’s top overall record.
The coach also supports making FIBA’s international competition windows mandatory for NBA players. Under the current system, national teams play qualifying games during the NBA season, often without their biggest stars. Atkinson believes requiring NBA players to participate would elevate their development.
“I would like it to be mandatory, because players get better through the FIBA game,” he said. “We saw it with the American players, we saw it with the French players, all the great Spanish players. FIBA basketball makes you better.”
Atkinson highlighted the success of European players like Pau and Marc Gasol, who thrived in both the NBA and FIBA competition. He sees international play as a valuable tool for skill development and wants the NBA to open more FIBA windows for its players.
In addition to rule variations, FIBA courts differ from NBA courts in several ways. The standard FIBA court measures 28 by 15 meters (91.9 by 49.2 feet), while an NBA court is 94 by 50 feet (28.65 by 15.24 meters). The three-point line is also shorter in FIBA play, extending 6.74 meters (22.1 feet) from the basket at the top of the arc compared to the NBA’s 23.75 feet (7.24 meters). These differences impact spacing, shot selection, and defensive schemes.
The conversation about NBA rule changes has gained traction in recent years, with Commissioner Adam Silver open to discussing adjustments. The introduction of the FIBA-style coach’s challenge and in-season tournament shows the league’s willingness to experiment with new ideas.
Atkinson’s stance aligns with a growing push to modernize NBA rules, but implementing changes would require approval from team owners and the league’s competition committee. While Silver has acknowledged discussions about rule tweaks, no immediate changes have been announced.
