Nelson, Cuban dislike charge line

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/basketball/7381306.htm

DALLAS - Don Nelson and Mark Cuban want to reform how the league calls
charges in the lane, just in different ways.

The Mavericks' coach wants the restricted-area arc moved out another
two feet. The owner wants the area, formed by a half-circle four feet
from the center of the basket, removed.

Both believe the arc leads to defenders positioning themselves
specifically to draw charges and not play defense. They contend it's
also too close, leading to unnecessary injuries. Dirk Nowitzki
sprained his right ankle driving the lane and falling over a defender
Wednesday against Phoenix.

"I'd like to see a study done on that charge line and the effect on
injuries," Nelson said. "People are running under all of our players.
We teach it, too, because it's allowed. I think that needs to be
changed.

"[The arc won't be changed] until the owners get tired of having their
star players injured on those kinds of moves. I don't think it's good
for our game. I think that's one of the reasons that scoring is down.
The charge line needs to be moved two feet farther out. It's that
simple."

Count Cuban as an owner who's tired of it.

"If you don't have to have [the arc], it helps the game" he said. Not
having the arc " promotes more aggressiveness, guys driving to the
basket and reduces injuries. It forces guys to make basketball plays.
It makes so much sense. It's not like stepping in front of someone
just to take a charge. That's not a basketball play. It's just a
turnover."

For several years, Nelson has proposed a rule to move back the arc,
but he's not going to campaign for it.

"I don't lobby," he said. "I write the rule, and I don't know if it
gets discussed. I attended those meetings when I thought they meant
something. I don't go anymore."

Colangelo not satisfied

Suns owner Jerry Colangelo remains unsatisfied with the three-game
suspension leveled against the Mavericks' Danny Fortson for a
flagrant-2 foul against Zarko Cabarkapa on Wednesday. On the Suns' Web
site, Colangelo said he's considering legal action or a rules change
in which the offender is out as long as the injured player.

The Phoenix rookie will be sidelined at least six weeks with a
fractured right wrist.

"Monday morning, I can tell [NBA commissioner] David [Stern], 'I want
a special board of governors' meeting to discuss this issue,'"
Colangelo said. "It's important enough in my opinion, not just because
it's me. I'm just saying the incident itself is so ugly. It has no
place in our game."

Mark Cuban would welcome a special board meeting.

"I hope Jerry's activism leads to activism by other owners," Cuban
said. "I'm adamant about issues, too. If it brings changes, I'm all
for it. Let's bring that activism and passion to all issues. I'm for
anything to make the game better. But you've got to address all
issues."