Replay likely to be in place next season in NBA

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- If the NBA uses instant replay next season to review last-second shots, the rules would be different from the NFL's.

There would be no challenges from the coaches, no lengthy stoppages in play.

The new rules would deal solely with instances in which there is a question of whether a shot was released before time expired at the end of a quarter. In those cases, the referees also would be able to review whether a player had his foot on the 3-point line.

"I think there's an overwhelming consensus, perhaps even unanimous ... that we should institute next season an instant replay for last-second shots," deputy commissioner Russ Granik said Tuesday at the commissioner's annual NBA Finals news conference.

Details of a proposed replay rule were discussed last week at a meeting of the league's competition committee. The change is expected to be approved by the league's Board of Governors in July.

The debate over using instant replay was heightened during this year's playoffs as a flurry of disputed shots were either counted -- or waved off -- incorrectly.

In the first round, a buzzer-beating, game-winning 3-pointer by Charlotte's Baron Davis was disallowed against Orlando even though it clearly was released in time.

In the Nets-Pacers series, Reggie Miller forced overtime in Game 5 with a shot that left his hand after the clock reached 0.0 seconds.

In Game 4 of the Kings-Lakers series, a 30-footer by Samaki Walker to end the first half was allowed even though it left his hand too late.

"I think we've finally come to the conclusion that you're not really asking a referee to make that call, good or bad," Granik said.