At the conclusion of a quarter or half, the last team with the ball typically takes a long desperation shot. This was the genesis of an idea to replace the uneventful jump ball with something I call a fan friendly 'challenge ball' which combines basketball skills and game theory.
In place of the jump ball, I propose the challenge ball. Each team would have a single player participate. The last team to possess the ball would select a location on the court to shoot from. His opponent could elect to shoot from that location or decline and have his opponent shoot. If the shot is made the shooter's team gets the ball. If missed, the opposing team gets the ball.
A challenge ball would make for great entertainment — like a modified one shot game of HORSE with the best shooters in the world. I hope you'll give it some thought!
--MR
