A new set of rules for NBA referees are making things in the league far less dramatic and theatrical.
In previous seasons, one of the most common things players did was draw a foul in the most obnoxious and obvious ways. That's because the rules allowed it. If a player was attempting to make a shot, he should lean into the defender and receive a couple of free throws for his efforts. This, along with the art of flopping, led to some of the most ridiculous moments in league history, including this one from Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young, who appeared at the charity line again and again because of this approach to ball playing.
As Nets coach Steve Nash put it: "that's not basketball."
This year, league officials caught on and decided to do something about it. They are no longer calling fouls when a shooter launches himself into a defender.
This is how Monty McCutchen, the NBA's vice president of referee development and training, put it:
"We're not trying to take away every pump fake. We are trying to take away a pump fake that then leads to an abnormal launch angle that the defender never would've hit the offensive player had this offensive player not taken this abnormal launch angle."
And how has this new rule affected some of the biggest players in the game? Honestly, it's done a number on their offensive output. Let's start with one of the biggest offenders of those "abnormal launch angles": James Harden.
James Harden
As you can see, Harden's free throw attempts have dropped a lot from previous seasons, mostly due to the new NBA regulation. Simply put, he's not going to the line as much because he's not getting as many fouls because his regular shtick isn't being rewarded. More than 11 free throws to less than 5 in just two seasons is a major change.
Trae Young
Trae Young is also facing a different NBA landscape that doesn't reward his playing style. He is now only going to the line about 5 times a game, down from nearly 9-and-a-half just a couple years ago.
For his part, Young has been the most vocal critic of this rule change. He has said:
"They're definitely holding on to their whistles a lot more than they would in previous years. ... A lot of my fouls, I'm driving, and I'm smaller than a lot of guys, so they're knocking me off balance and knocking me off track, so that's a foul. If a ref knows the rules and knows that, they should call it."
Steph Curry
Finally, we have Steph Curry, who has been known to kick out a leg or two during jump shots in hopes of receiving a call. Even his play has been impacted by the change.
Overall, when you look at the offensive rating of all teams in the NBA you see a substantial drop. Now, the season has just begun. There is still a good chance that things will change and maybe players will adapt or refs will slip up and start going back to their old ways. However, for now it looks like the league has just changed in a pretty fundamental and major way.
A new set of rules for NBA referees are making things in the league far less dramatic and theatrical.
In previous seasons, one of the most common things players did was draw a foul in the most obnoxious and obvious ways. That's because the rules allowed it. If a player was attempting to make a shot, he should lean into the defender and receive a couple of free throws for his efforts. This, along with the art of flopping, led to some of the most ridiculous moments in league history, including this one from Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young, who appeared at the charity line again and again because of this approach to ball playing.
As Nets coach Steve Nash put it: "that's not basketball."
This year, league officials caught on and decided to do something about it. They are no longer calling fouls when a shooter launches himself into a defender.
This is how Monty McCutchen, the NBA's vice president of referee development and training, put it:
"We're not trying to take away every pump fake. We are trying to take away a pump fake that then leads to an abnormal launch angle that the defender never would've hit the offensive player had this offensive player not taken this abnormal launch angle."
And how has this new rule affected some of the biggest players in the game? Honestly, it's done a number on their offensive output. Let's start with one of the biggest offenders of those "abnormal launch angles": James Harden.
James Harden
As you can see, Harden's free throw attempts have dropped a lot from previous seasons, mostly due to the new NBA regulation. Simply put, he's not going to the line as much because he's not getting as many fouls because his regular shtick isn't being rewarded. More than 11 free throws to less than 5 in just two seasons is a major change.
Trae Young
Trae Young is also facing a different NBA landscape that doesn't reward his playing style. He is now only going to the line about 5 times a game, down from nearly 9-and-a-half just a couple years ago.
For his part, Young has been the most vocal critic of this rule change. He has said:
"They're definitely holding on to their whistles a lot more than they would in previous years. ... A lot of my fouls, I'm driving, and I'm smaller than a lot of guys, so they're knocking me off balance and knocking me off track, so that's a foul. If a ref knows the rules and knows that, they should call it."
Steph Curry
Finally, we have Steph Curry, who has been known to kick out a leg or two during jump shots in hopes of receiving a call. Even his play has been impacted by the change.
Overall, when you look at the offensive rating of all teams in the NBA you see a substantial drop. Now, the season has just begun. There is still a good chance that things will change and maybe players will adapt or refs will slip up and start going back to their old ways. However, for now it looks like the league has just changed in a pretty fundamental and major way.
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Love this @BrandonMarcus! I think the new rule is better for the game.
rules were needed, great post thanks