http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/37405/evidence-timeouts-hurt-scoring Very interesting numbers and conclusion. I think there is some merit to this study.
i think the fact that players are usually pretty tired by the end of the 4th quarter has something to do with it. also as the game goes on defenders begin to adapt to the opposition as the game goes on, but i do like the part about timeouts benefiting the defense more.
I general agree that timeout helps the defense more than the offense. If you have smart players on the floor, you might as well let them play rather than call a timeout. The only time you would want a timeout is when you want to stop the clock and advance the ball to mid court.
but it's also very exciting, when the last minute of the 4th quarter in a close game can turn into 10-15 minutes of pure 'holding your breath' excitement
maybe now the defending team will call timeouts. Really there is no way to remove timeouts from the game, either way one side will call it. Maybe just remove them altogether if that is the point.
Didn't Rick Berry once suggested that the timeouts should be abolished and the coaches have no participation in the game? Kind of like soccer. That would be interesting IMO. But he also suggested the rim be heightened and Shaq be given clown shoes to take away his advantage.