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- The NBA changed the rules to prevent offensive players from making unnatural moves to attract fouls.
- Stephen Curry attempted to foul in a preseason game and was surprised by the no-appeal.
- The rule change was applauded by many, as attempts to make mistakes often frustrated viewers.
NBA players will have a harder time reaching the free throw line in 2021-2022.
During the offseason, the NBA implemented rule changes to prevent offensive players from making unnatural moves to shoot fouls. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, these moves included leaning over defenders to initiate contact, abruptly changing lanes, or giving each other unnecessary kicks to create contact.
These types of games are often used by some of the best offensive players in the league. They have also frequently frustrated defenders, coaches, commentators and fans. Such baiting attempts left defenders with no plan of action except to reduce their defense and keep a safe distance between themselves and an attacking player.
Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash told reporters about Atlanta Hawks goaltender Trae Young’s penchant for stopping short on practices and making contact with a defenseman. “It’s not basketball,” Nash said.
In the Golden State Warriors’ first preseason game on Monday, Stephen Curry learned that the league is really cracking down on that type of play.
In the first quarter, Curry braced for a three-point pullback when Portland Trail Blazers forward Nassir Little jumped into the air to challenge the shot. As Little was in the air, Curry jumped on him and threw the ball to the backboard to fire three free kicks.
No call. Curry ran down the field with his hands in the air, watching the refs for a whistle.
“Not this year!” said one of the advertisers.
Ironically, Curry and his trainer Steve Kerr were supporters of the crackdown.
“The game needs it,” Kerr told Anthony Slater of The Athletic. “I say the same thing all the time. If we make calls in the NBA that would literally start fights in a pickup game because they’re so blatant and unrelated to basketball… then we’re doing something wrong. . “
Curry told Slater he was still confused as to what constituted a defensive foul, but agreed it was better for the “purity” of the game.
“But definitely the purity of the game, the point is to put the ball in the basket and not be out there living and dying trying to reach the free throw line by any means,” said said Curry. “I like the effort.”
Kerr told Slater he thinks umpires tend to put more emphasis on rule changes during the preseason and then relax during the regular season. If moves like Curry’s Monday no longer result in fouls, many fans will be happy.
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