I think the worst thing about watching NBA games is the the close games end slowly with lots of timeouts, fowls and free throws. I don't think I am the only one that finds this boring.
* Lower number of timeouts available to teams
* Make intentional fouls - free throws + possession - to stop incessant fouling at end of games.
* Do not allow teams to advance possession after timeouts.
That would do it.
It is too hard to determine intentional fouls versus aggressive defense. If someone is persistent enough going for a steal, there will be a foul. How do we determine intent?
What about when they hack Howard early in the game? That is the worst. I would love to see it there to make those games progress.
I prefer this approach: In the final two minutes, the team fouled in a
non-shooting foul can choose to shoot shots (assuming they are in the bonus) or to take the ball out of bounds. If they choose to take the ball out of bounds and the shot clock is below 14, it gets set to 14 seconds. In this case, fouling only hurts you unless you are insanely good at defending inbounds plays. If not, you may never get the ball back as the shot clock would always get reset to 14 seconds.
The downside to this is that it removes the punishment for bringing poor free throw shooters into the game. Howard will be able to defend and even take part in the offense in that final minute. If you foul him with the ball, his team will just take the ball out of bounds.