Story by Koh Yizhe/Red Sports
Zhang Minghao (China, #5) is the tournament’s tallest player and he was essential to his team’s victory. Height is an important factor in the FIBA 33. With it, a team can dominate the paint, resulting in easy rebounds and effortless shots. (Photo 6 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)
For many basketball fans in Singapore, the Asian Youth Games is the first time they are seeing the FIBA 33 format played. This is extremely different from what the fans are used to seeing in the local competitions.
The rules, size of the court, and playing time, are in stark contrast to the normal format of 5v5.
In case you are not sure of the FIBA 33 rules, let's run through them.
FIBA 33, as its name suggests, is played with three players on each team. It follows the street basketball format where only half the court is used and the ball has to be passed out of the three-point arc before a team is allowed to attack, in a change of possession. To make a basket, the ball must go through two pairs of hands. Only then will a player be permitted to shoot.
There are two ways to win the game. A team has to either score the most points over three 5-minute periods with a minute’s break in between, or be the first to score 33 points.
These rules produce fast-paced, electrifying and heart-pounding action on the court with no allowance to miss even a second of play.
Despite this, the new format doesn't quite appeal to all spectators.
Chiau Kwang, a basketball enthusiast from NTU, said, "I don't really like it and would actually prefer 5v5 competitions. I am well aware of the rules and since the rules are very different from the 5v5, things like teamwork are not really focused on. In a 3v3, instead, the team with the better height will have an advantage."
He continued, "The 33-point cap also is something that I don't really like. Take for example the Philippines vs Japan match. Philippines played well in the second period and took a 32-20 lead, but Japan played really well in the final period and scored many points to close the gap. Of course, Philippines scored that one point that they needed and won the match. If it went all the way to 15 minutes, Japan may have had a chance to win it. Maybe they should make the cap a bit more."
"Based on entertainment value, it would definitely be the 5v5 because it is longer and it is easier to understand from a fan's point of view."
Secondary Two students from the Anglican High School basketball team also felt the same way about the format.
"From what we have seen, we think that FIBA 33 is more exciting, but it is rather short. There's isn't that "official" match kind of feel to it so we prefer the 5v5. But we are just not used to it, that's why we prefer a normal basketball match."
"You can't make nice drives from end to end and you can't dunk in FIBA 33. Although it is more fun to watch as it is faster and more explosive, we still don't quite like it and rather see 5v5. Even though it is a sport in YOG, I don't think we will adjust to it anytime soon."
"The 33-point cap does enhance the game in the sense that it makes it more exciting and faster. Overall, it is more fun to watch, but it can't beat the normal basketball game. We think Singapore suits it though because of its lack of quality players."
For Singapore’s boys FIBA 33 team captain Jabez Su, he didn't have a preference on this issue.
"I am okay with both and enjoy both, although there are times when it is hard to adjust to the FIBA 33 rules. In a normal basketball match, there is a lot more rest because there are timeouts and stuff like that. In contrast, FIBA 33 is very tiring and very explosive."
"Tactically, the FIBA 33 also requires more attention to detail. We have different plays for four seconds, seven seconds, or ten seconds, depending on the 14-second shot clock. It is much harder to find scoring opportunities as compared to a 5v5.”
"Because it (the game) is so short, a team has to start strong. Height will also give a team a distinct advantage. In the end, I guess it is down to an individual's preference. Some might like the fast and explosive pace of FIBA 33 while some might prefer slower 5v5 matches."
From a fan's point of view, what do you think?
REDpoll
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personally, i think 5v5 is better not just because it is more entertaining and easier to understand but it gives young prospects more opportunity to qualify for the normal capacity national team (12 players to be selected) rather than just 4 players in a team (fiba 33)… This will not only give the players chance to play but it will also help to nurture more local players to play quality international basketball for Singapore in the future… Agree?
I personally think 5v5 will be a more exciting game,and I think 5v5 requires more teamwork and
different strengths of the teams. Fiba 33 is a half court game and thus the players do not have to run back to their court to defense,which takes less stamina those it is more explosive. Speed don’t help much whereas height have a massive advantage for this kind of game. it’s like a different game because 3v3 focus more on individual but 5v5 requires more teamwork.