It’s no secret that today’s NBA is vastly different than what it was years ago. Nowadays, shooting from the perimeter has become an essential part of the game, and even the bigs (who traditionally play under the rim) have integrated it into their game.
Another big change is the level of contact allowed in the sport today. Decades ago, teams had more room to play up-close and personal on defense. The current rules of the game have changed that in a major way, to the point where players are bending and manipulating the rules to get free trips to the line.
of course, that’s set to change upon the start of the new season.
According to Shams Charania, the NBA has set in motion its plan to reduce these non-basketball moves and increase the difficulty by which offensive players draw fouls on their defenders.
Final: Beginning with the 2021-22 season, the NBA will implement new rules to reduce non-basketball moves used to draw fouls, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 28, 2021
It’s great news for many fans, who aren’t necessarily supportive of the way players like James Harden and Trae Young force the whistle.
In a series of follow-up Tweets, Shams went into a little more depth on how, specifically, the league plans to adjust the game.
NBA officiating staffs will be trained to identify and properly rule overt non-basketball actions to initiate contact with defender — such as offensive player launches into defender, abruptly veers off path, kicks leg at abnormal angle, or his off-arm hooks defender. https://t.co/XE9HxIRDSK
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 28, 2021
If deemed more than marginal (offensive player's contact impacts the defender's speed, quickness, balance, or rhythm) — play results in an offensive foul.
A no-call should result — if the contact is deemed marginal. https://t.co/h3dt4rLjL9
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 28, 2021
The idea behind these changes is to discourage players from using the officials to score and increase the fan experience overall.
Obviously, it’s bad news for players, who lose a very handy and powerful advantage.
Nonetheless, it’s a step in the right direction for the NBA and sets up some very interesting questions for next season.
