What to expect from the refs this year

[picnroll]

Veteran NBA official Dan Crawford briefed the Bulls after practice Sunday and outlined what the referees would be watching more closely. Though there are no major rules changes this season, the league is clearly concerned about the continued scoring downturn.
So referees have been ordered to make more foul calls in certain situations that, theoretically, will create more freedom for offensive players.

The key places are from midcourt to the free-throw line extended, where any contact will be called a foul, and in the areas along the baseline toward the basket, where use of the forearm will be restricted. Also, there will be limitations on use of forearms to hold off an offensive player and fewer charges called.

Bulls players and coaches said the changes will result in many more fouls. The league clearly is pushing for more foul calls early in the season so players become accustomed to the changes. The feeling is teams will play more zone defense to keep players out of foul trouble, increasing the need for perimeter shooting.


link (http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/services/site/premium/access-registered.intercept)

Looks like a lot of players will be getting floor time with all the fouls. Hope the Spurs can hit a few free throws this year.

[spurster]

I don't know how the refs will be able to call a forearm foul. Maybe it is for pushing off with the forearm. But if the offensive player backs into you, why should it be your fault that you are there? I disagree with calling less charges, too. Why penalize the defensive player for being in position?

I do agree with cutting down the hand checks. If they got rid of those, we would see more dribble penetration.

[FromWayDowntown]

Why penalize the defensive player for being in position?

I think the article explains that:


Though there are no major rules changes this season, the league is clearly concerned about the continued scoring downturn.
So referees have been ordered to make more foul calls in certain situations that, theoretically, will create more freedom for offensive players.

It's about manufacturing more points. It likely doesn't matter that the call is a bad one or that the defensive player has really done nothing wrong -- what matters is that foul will be called and create scoring opportunities (via free throws) or that the foul might be called, causing defensive players to be a bit less aggressive and permitting the offense some more freedom. We'll see. . . . the league has employed such measures in past years, but when it comes to April, May, and June, the officials still tend to swallow their whistles.

[picnroll]

After an Olympic summer of seeing that the avaerage NBA star can't hit diddly from the outside the NBA officials decide to clear a path to the basket assuring that shooting won't be an emphasis of development and institutionalizing continued failure in international competition. But what they hay, more highlight dunks on ESPN.

[spurster]

Not that I was misunderstood before, but more for clarifying my thoughts more.

The rules should not penalize good defense. If offensive players can consistently run into defensive players and get a foul call, what is the competition in that? There was already too much of that before, and it brings the game to a crawl.

What the NBA should do is crack down on is bad defense, especially the hand checking, grabbing, and slapping at the ball. Players can learn not to reach, but defensive players should be allowed to hold their position without a foul call.

[timvp]

Luckily, this doesn't sound like it will hurt Bowen. He guards people without reaching or touching most of the time.

This might hurt Duncan though because for some reason, he ALWAYS puts a hand on the back of anyone he is guarding on the perimeter.

[grjr]

Also, there will be limitations on use of forearms to hold off an offensive player and fewer charges called.

I bet they've already inscribed Shaq's name on the MVP trophy then.

jr

[spurster]

This might hurt Duncan though because for some reason, he ALWAYS puts a hand on the back of anyone he is guarding on the perimeter.
Yes, it put him in constant foul trouble during the Olympics.