LAS VEGAS – In a move approved by the NBA's Board of Governors, the Hack-a-Shaq tactic faces new restriction for the 2016-17 season.
In an attempt to improve the flow of the game, teams choosing to commit fouls away from the ball will be severely penalized in the final two minutes of each quarter.
"In looking at the data and numerous potential solutions to combat the large increase in deliberate away-from-the-play foul situations, we believe these steps offer the most measured approach," said Kiki VanDeWeghe, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations. "The introduction of these new rules is designed to curb the increase in such fouls without eliminating the strategy entirely."
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the change would cut off-the-ball fouls by 45 percent. It required a two-thirds vote for approval. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Curban went on record to say he was one of the owners who didn't approve.
"Rewarding incompetence is never a good business strategy," he told ESPN.
Dwight Howard, Andre Drummond and DeAndre Jordan will benefit from this change, as they're the league's poorest free throw shooters and are deliberately fouled the most.
The league is also implementing a stricter policy when it comes to fouls before the ball is in play.
I can see both sides on this issue. Owners and fans complain about how the game is being slowed by intentional fouling, and no one comes to a game to watch free throws (or in particular, missed free throws). On the other hand, I believe if you can't do something adequately, rules shouldn't be altered to make it easier on an individual displaying an obvious flaw.
We'll just have to see how this all plays out.
In an attempt to improve the flow of the game, teams choosing to commit fouls away from the ball will be severely penalized in the final two minutes of each quarter.
- The current rule for away-from-the-play fouls applicable to the last two minutes of the fourth period (and last two minutes of any overtime) – pursuant to which the fouled team is awarded one free throw and retains possession of the ball – will be extended to the last two minutes of each period.
"In looking at the data and numerous potential solutions to combat the large increase in deliberate away-from-the-play foul situations, we believe these steps offer the most measured approach," said Kiki VanDeWeghe, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations. "The introduction of these new rules is designed to curb the increase in such fouls without eliminating the strategy entirely."
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the change would cut off-the-ball fouls by 45 percent. It required a two-thirds vote for approval. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Curban went on record to say he was one of the owners who didn't approve.
"Rewarding incompetence is never a good business strategy," he told ESPN.
Dwight Howard, Andre Drummond and DeAndre Jordan will benefit from this change, as they're the league's poorest free throw shooters and are deliberately fouled the most.
The league is also implementing a stricter policy when it comes to fouls before the ball is in play.
- For inbounds situations, a defensive foul at any point during the game that occurs before the ball is released by the inbounder (including a "legitimate" or "natural" basketball action such as a defender fighting through a screen) will be administered in the same fashion as an away-from-the-play foul committed during the last two minutes of any period (i.e., one free throw and possession of the ball).
I can see both sides on this issue. Owners and fans complain about how the game is being slowed by intentional fouling, and no one comes to a game to watch free throws (or in particular, missed free throws). On the other hand, I believe if you can't do something adequately, rules shouldn't be altered to make it easier on an individual displaying an obvious flaw.
We'll just have to see how this all plays out.
