10 significant rule differences between NBA and Olympics basketball and it's ramifications

#3 5 seconds at free throw line

Free throws will be speeded up

We've seen Dwight Howard contemplate the meaning of life at the free throw line and lose the free throw for taking longer than 10 seconds, which counts as a violation. What exactly does he ruminate on at the line is purely a matter of speculation, but it really ought not to take that long. One can always call a timeout if weighty matters burden the mind, but you don't need to stand at the free throw line and stare into nothingness for eternity.

One of the good things about the international play is that the game is expedited. Here, one gets just five seconds to release a free throw, otherwise, it counts as a violation.

Another caveat, if a teammate steps into the lane before a shot is made, the basket doesn't count in the NBA. But it will be counted in international play.

Ramifications:

The game will be faster and hopefully, free throw percentages can rise as players won’t have the time to think too much at the line.