“In addition to developing 20 percent of current NBA players and numerous coaches and referees who are enjoying NBA success, we also function as the NBA’s ‘Research and Development’ department and, therefore, are continuously looking for ways to improve the sport of basketball,” said NBA D-League President Dan Reed. “We believe implementing these new rules will make our games even more exciting for both players and fans alike, while providing a valuable service for the NBA.”

The new goaltending rule follows the standard used in the international game that allows a player to knock the ball away when it is on the rim. Prior to this season, the NBA D-League used NBA goaltending rules, which prohibit players from touching the ball when it is on the cylinder.

Overtime periods in the NBA D-League this year will be three minutes in duration, down from five minutes in previous seasons.

“There are a myriad of benefits to having the NBA D-League serve as the NBA’s farm system,” said NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations, Stu Jackson. “One of the advantages is that it allows us to look at the rules of play and experiment with ways we can make the game more competitive.”

Among some of the NBA D-League’s past innovations are the following: becoming the first league under the NBA umbrella to show all of its games live online free of charge; instituting a playoff format that allows each of the three division winners to select its first-round opponent from among the remaining postseason teams; and testing the adidas-developed NBA Revolution 30 uniforms, which will be worn by NBA teams this season, as well as various versions of the official Spalding basketball.