Growing NBA use of alternative scoring system
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An alternative basketball scoring system developed by a Ball State University professor continues to gain support of the National Basketball Association. The NBA says the “Elam Ending,” which was developed by Professor Nick Elam, will be used for all overtime games in its G League, the association’s minor league organization.
The NBA added the scoring system to its All-Star Game in 2020.
Elam designed the system to eliminate the need for late-game fouling and stalling. Using the Elam Ending, the game clock is shut off and teams must hit a target score in order to win. He says it can improve the overall quality and competitiveness of late-game play.
“The NBA G League has always had fascinating human interest stories embedded—players hoping to prove themselves on the court and advance to the NBA level,” said Dr. Elam, an assistant professor of Educational Leadership at Ball State’s Teachers College. “Now, with the adoption of the Elam Ending, the G League has a new, unique human interest story embedded—a concept and its creator hoping to prove themselves on the court and advance to the NBA level.”
The Fort Wayne Mad Ants is a G League owned by the Indiana Pacers.
In addition to overtime games, the G League will also use the Elam system for the fourth quarter of the NBA G League Winter Showcase in Las Vegas in December.
Elam says his ultimate goal is for the NBA to adopt the system in its regular season and post-season games.