Quote:
Originally posted by BktBallRef
No, that's not his call, Bush. If he has a uniformed player on the bench that's healthy and physically able to play, he has to play with 5. If they're inelgibile to play, they shouldn't be dressed.
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Tony,
Is correct BY RULE on this.
Notice that 4-34-4 states that this uniformed kid on the bench IS a team member.
The coach is not allowed to pull a Gene Hackman and play with four when he has a healthy fifth available. The only team members who do not have to enter to maintain five players in the game are those that are already DQ'd and those who are injured.
Applicable rules:
page 10 "THE GAME - Basketball is played by two teams of five players each."
3-1-1
Each team consists of five players, one of whom is the captain.
NOTE: A team must begin the game with five players, but if it has no substitutes to replace disqualified or injured players, it must continue with fewer than five.
3-2-2b + 10-1-2b
After the 10-minute time limit...
Adding a name to the team member list.
4-34-4 A team member is a member of bench personnel who is in uniform and is eligible to become a player.