At the beginning of the 2021-22 NBA season, the rule changes are frustrating for players who are used to foul fouling by plunging into unsuspecting defenders to attract contact and a whistle. Trae Young, Damian Lillard and James Harden are just a few stars to talk about the changes, but as the season progresses, they’ve gotten used to no calls and from the fans’ perspective, it has helps smooth out the suffocating viewing experience and eliminates a flaw of overuse.
I don’t know where the basketball scene was when Chris Paul cut in front of a defender and stopped in the middle of a quick dash to be bulldozed and fouled. Or when Harden takes a straight line to the crate and crashes into a large waiting vehicle like a car in traffic. It ruined the flow of the game, and thankfully it was fixed.
The inspiration for that correction came from hoops fans watching FIBA basketball rules at the Olympics and asking, “Why couldn’t the NBA be more like that?” Well, the NBA applied one of those wrinkles with a foul that extended halftime as fast as I can remember.
We all know what I’m talking about. The defense was forced to turn around and have the numbers in the break only to have the game stop because the man who had just lost the ball reached out and fouled the nearest man in the opposing shirt.
Well, this season, whenever a guy pulls that bullshit out for the last two minutes in the 4th and 1st half of the game, the team that breaks the ball gets a shooter of their choice and the handball. punish. It’s not a direct game rule like you have in football, which I would love to seebut it’s completely discouraging sandbags that frustrate some of the world’s best athletes running at full speed with the track for a roaring somersault or canyon (or 3 forward if that’s the case). is your pocket).
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During the Trail Blazers-Suns game broadcast Friday, Kevin Calabro and Lamar Hurd’s Portland team said there were 1,700 fouls in the NBA last season, tracking considering there were 1,230 regular-season games per year and there were two – and a half* in that game, including the related game, you guessed it was CP3. You can see his gear spin in real time after he picks up one. His reaction is instinctive, and he has to think about the next time the script comes up.
(* I say two-and-a-half because the moment Phoenix was whistled was the border with a guard jostling Blazer big Drew Eubanks for a spot in the paint. If that’s a hole, it’s a loophole. great for big men who can get to the floor and into position in a hurry.)
Blazer wing Josh Hart, who treats every open floor as a personal challenge to the price, caught up and relentlessly forced the Suns defenders to meet him in the paint on the run. It was a great moment, and one that I doubt will happen to a host of NBA players who are conditioned to expect a touchdown foul rather than a potential addition to the reels. their highlights.
I also love that the NBA has given refs the right to call them without prior review. The obvious path rule, which I can’t find if it still exists, is well-intentioned but too confusing. And if the way the referees view matches – essentially as if they are being exposed to the sport for the first time – is any indication, we should always aim to simplify the process. .
All in all, it’s a big change for the Association and one that will make its product better which I’m sure won’t be ruined in any way…
What do the analytics say, Bob?
There is always a word of warning. Also during Friday’s Blazers-Suns game, after Portland’s foul, Blazers analyst Cory Jez, who occasionally jumps in to talk about numbers, gave an expected score from one side out. the pitch is 0.7 something, and it can really be beneficial to still foul and play at the statistical odds of 1.7. It works well in this case but just because the Sun misses about 3 expansions can make it a four-point swing.
I’m not here for that.
If a “wise” player like Paul keeps fouling as analysts have discovered, Adam Silver should take two shots plus the ball. Can we please take a quick break without scrutinizing? I mean, my god, I’m good at getting “Wow, actually…” given a few hipster stats. If you are very physical, play pitching like the rest those damn losers.
