Three's a Party: Big 3 league begins with a bang

By Patrick Zeng
@Roundtripper891

No one believes that Ice Cube's Big 3 league is coming to unseat the NBA, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy it. The ten week, ten city, eight team event kicked off in Brooklyn this past Sunday and aired Monday night on FS1. The league will culminate on August 26th in Las Vegas for the championship.

The league brings to the table multiple rule changes that differentiate it from a conventional NBA game. First the games are played in the half court, giving the players more energy by not having to run up and down the court. The shot clock is only 14 seconds in comparison to 24 and the game isn't timed. Instead they are played to 60 which makes for constant action rather than running down the clock and milking poessions. And even three 4 point markers are scattered from 30 feet away from the basket allowing for dazzling shots.

But my personal favorite of watching the leagues maiden broadcast last night was the physicality of it. Far too often in today's NBA are soft fouls called. Defense feels like it's considered optional in so many games as players seemingly solely focus on their offensive outputs. That was completely different in the Big 3 league. Hand checking on the wings allowed for much more defensive flexibility for teams as well as a much looser whistle in the paint. Hard fouls in the NBA were considered fair game across the four games on Sunday and it was great to watch. 

                                                                               ðŸ“¸: slamonline.com

The league also offers a good amount of star power with players such as Allen Iverson, Jermaine O'Neal, Chauncey Billups, Rashard Lewis, Brian Scalabrine, Kenyon Martin & Mike Bibby, fans are able to see favorites of the past compete again out on the court. Even the coaches shine bright with names like Julius Erving, George Gervin, Gary Payton, Clyde Drexler and Rick Barry.

Yes all of these players are well past their primes, but many of them proved they can still play with their performances on Sunday in Brooklyn. Two of the games proved to be incredibly entertaining as Three Headed Monsters beat the Ghost Ballers 62-60 on a layup by Rashard Lewis where he was also fouled to close it out. Team Power also beat Dr. J's Tri-State with a dagger of a three by DeShawn Stevenson to close out a 62-58 win. One of the most fun parts of the league is that with no clock, ever game ends on a "walk off" basket which lends itself to the excitement that this league can thrive off of.

Only time will tell how successful Ice Cube's Big 3 league will be. With new rules, stars all over the court and sidelines, big venues, Michael Rappaport as a sideline reporter and Gus Johnson on the call it's fun, it's entertaining. And most importantly, it's refreshing. 

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