Stern: NBA may go to videotape next season

Following the recent trend of ‘incorrect decisions’ by referees in the playoffs in relation to shot clock issues, NBA commissioner David Stern told a group of around 20 reporters yesterday that the league likely will use instant replay next season to eliminate controversial plays in the final seconds of quarters.

A proposal will be put to the Competition Committee next week in Atlanta after the referees made the incorrect call on Reggie Miller’s three pointer that sent Game 5 against the Nets into overtime, incorrectly waived off Baron Davis’ game winning three pointer in Orlando, then counted the Lakers’ Samaki Walker’s three pointer at half time of Game 4 against the Kings.

"I'm really ready to support the realization of a system that gets the referees off the hook," Stern told a group of 20 reporters at Arco Arena.

"The referees are supposed to listen to the horn, watch the light, watch the clock, watch the ball or some combination of several things. It's always been something less than perfect. And those imperfections are getting shown with more graphic clarity than ever before."

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Report: Brand, Wallace Fill Out US Team

The Associated Press is reporting that Pistons forward Ben Wallace and Clippers forward Elton Brand will round out the United States team in the World Championships this summer.

The choice of two power forwards reflected the concern of the American team that it needed some size to match up with some of the better teams in the tournament.

The selections were made Thursday by the USA Basketball Selection committee but have not yet been announced publicly. Two executives with knowledge of the committee's choices, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the selections of Wallace and Brand.

The players who have already decided to play for the United States in the tournament, which is to be held Aug. 29-Sept. 8 in Indianapolis, are Jason Kidd, Ray Allen, Reggie Miller, Michael Finley, Shawn Marion, Antonio Davis, Jermaine O'Neal, Paul Pierce, Raef LaFrentz and Andre Miller.

The selection committee also was expected to select a player to fill an open spot on the roster as an alternate. Duke point guard Jay Williams, expected to be one of the top picks in the upcoming NBA draft, has already been named an alternate.

George Karl of the Milwaukee Bucks will coach the U.S. team.

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New strategy: Draft now, pay later

In the last few years, the Jazz have drafted young international players with upside even though the players were signed to long-term contracts. The Jazz had enough veterans to fill out their roster and didn't want the salary of the first-round pick taking valuable cap space. Instead, the Jazz's plan was to keep the players overseas, let them get playing time and wait for a roster slot to open up before bringing them over.

"The whole dynamics of the draft has changed," Jazz GM Kevin O'Connor said. "Now you worry about more than just who you draft. You also worry about their development. Good teams don't have a lot minutes for rookies. Perhaps the best move we made was keeping Kirilenko in Russia an extra year. That made a huge difference in what he was able to contribute this year."

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