NBA Summer League to Test New Single-Attempt Free Throw Rule
NBA 夏季聯賽將測試新單次罰球規則
Introduction
The NBA has announced that it will introduce a modified free-throw rule for the upcoming Summer League events.
NBA 已宣布將在即將舉行的夏季聯賽中引入一套修改後的罰球規則。
Main Body
The new rule requires that any foul resulting in one, two, or three free throws be replaced by a single shot. The point value of the shot will remain the same as the original penalty. This system has been used in the G League since the 2019-20 season and is designed to make the game move faster. However, to keep the games fair during critical moments, the league emphasized that standard free-throw rules will return during the final two minutes of the fourth quarter and during overtime.
新規則要求任何導致一次、兩次或三次罰球的犯規，將被單次投籃取代。該次投籃的分數價值將與原來的處罰相同。這套系統自 2019-20 賽季起已在 G League 中使用，旨在加快比賽速度。然而，為了確保關鍵時刻的公平性，聯盟強調在第四節最後兩分鐘及延長賽期間，將恢復標準罰球規則。
Historically, the Summer League has served as a testing ground for new rules. For example, the league previously introduced the coach's challenge and a shorter shot clock for offensive rebounds. Commissioner Adam Silver has also supported other changes, such as reducing quarter lengths to 10 minutes. Despite these goals, some people have criticized the new free-throw rule. Former player Ron Harper and some fans argued that a single high-value shot would put too much psychological pressure on the players.
從歷史上看，夏季聯賽一直是新規則的試驗場。例如，聯盟先前引入了教練挑戰以及縮短進攻籃板的 shot clock 時間。總裁 Adam Silver 也支持其他變革，例如將每節比賽時間縮短至 10 分鐘。儘管有這些目標，但仍有人批評新的罰球規則。前球員 Ron Harper 及部分球迷認為，單次高分值的投籃會給球員帶來過大的心理壓力。
Conclusion
The experiment begins on July 9 in Salt Lake City, Northern California, and Las Vegas, although there is no official date for when it might be used in the regular season.
這項實驗將於 7 月 9 日在鹽湖城、北加州和拉斯維加斯開始，儘管目前尚未有正式日期表明何時可能在正規賽中使用。
Vocabulary Learning
🚀 Moving Beyond 'Simple' Sentences
As an A2 student, you likely say: "The rule is new. It makes the game faster." To reach B2, you need to connect ideas using advanced logic. Look at this sentence from the text:
"This system... is designed to make the game move faster."
The Power of "Designed To" Stop using "The reason is..." every time. When you talk about a purpose or a goal, use the structure: [Something] is designed to [Verb].
- A2 style: This app is for learning English. (Simple)
- B2 style: This app is designed to help students improve their fluency. (Professional)
🧩 Vocabulary Upgrade: The "B2 Shift"
Notice how the article describes the new rule. Instead of saying "the rule is a test," it uses a powerful noun phrase:
"A testing ground"
In English, a "ground" isn't always dirt. A "testing ground" is a place or situation where you try something new to see if it works.
Try it in these contexts:
- The city is a testing ground for electric buses.
- My first job was a testing ground for my leadership skills.
⚠️ The "Psychological" Bridge
The text mentions "psychological pressure."
At the A2 level, we use basic adjectives like stressed or scared. At B2, we use Adjective + Noun combinations to be more precise.
Instead of: "The player is very stressed." Use: "The player is under psychological pressure."
Quick Tip: Whenever you want to describe a feeling, ask yourself: Is this a physical feeling or a psychological one? Adding that word immediately makes you sound more academic and fluent.