NBA considers starting the regular season earlier to cut down on B2B games

[rondoallaturca]

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/the-nbas-new-preseason-schedule/

The NBA over the last two weeks has informally surveyed team higher-ups about the idea of cutting the preseason schedule by as much as half, according to several sources around the league.

The goal is to start the regular season earlier and stretch the full 82-game schedule over about 10 additional days, sources say. That would allow the league to slice off a couple of back-to-backs from each team’s schedule, and in the process limit some of the rest imbalance that is inevitable in juggling hundreds of games across 29 arenas.

Any change in the number of preseason games would likely not take place until the 2016-17 season at the earliest, sources say.

I think this is a fantastic idea. A lot of teams already admit that the preseason is way longer than necessary for them to experiment with and implement new rotations or plays. Hopefully such a schedule will allow players to rest up more and cut down some typical wear-and-tear injuries over the course of a season.

[BleedGreen1989]

I would certainly be on board.

[fairweatherfan]

I figured this was coming in one way or another - everyone seems to agree the regular season is too draining on teams, but cutting games isn't a financial option, so extending the season is the most logical solution.  Even another 7-10 days of rest over the season would make a real difference in performance and durability.

[Neurotic Guy]

Earlier the better.

[Adelaide Celt]

Very good idea. No doubt it will be quashed or delayed.