The NBA takes the example of Stephen Curry and Paul George to show what will now be considered offensive fouls
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Stephen Curry is quite easily among the best scorers in the league right now. In fact, the Chef is so good that there is quite a strong debate for him to even be the best in that category right now, with perhaps only Kevin Durant really standing in his way.
To be good at scoring, you obviously need to have some serious skill on all three levels of offense. However, you also need to be good at the act of foul drawing.
We’ve seen players like James Harden and Trae Young damn near make an art out of this cheeky act. In fact, their foul drawing abilities are so special, just the threat of the act alone can often create an open shot for them.
That being said though, we have some terrible news for all scorers in the league. And it is one that the NBA has gone to extensive lengths in defining so that there are no loopholes left to exploit.
Let’s get into it.
Stephen Curry and Paul George are used as prime examples to show what actions will now be used against the offensive player
The days of those awkward and infuriating foul drawing motions may finally be over.
As fans know painfully well by now, players have made a habit out of jumping sideways, and even backwards to draw fouls in the act of shooting. And frankly, why wouldn’t they? The calls have been coming until now after all.
But, it seems the NBA has finally decided to put an end to it all. Peep the tweets below.
Beginning with Summer Leagues and effective for the 2021-22 season, game officials will enforce the playing rules in a manner that reduces the incentive for offensive players to use non-basketball moves to draw fouls.
Thread ⤵️ (1/7)
— NBA Official (@NBAOfficial) August 8, 2021
Overt, non-basketball moves used by offensive players to initiate contact with defenders will include when:
– The shooter launches or leans into a defender at an abnormal angle
– The offensive player abruptly veers off his path (sideways or backwards) into a defender(2/7)
— NBA Official (@NBAOfficial) August 8, 2021
Moves by offensive players that would meet this criteria will also include when:
– The shooter kicks his leg (up or to the side) at an abnormal angle
– The offensive player’s off-arm hooks the defender (often in the process of attempting a shot in a non-basketball manner)(3/7)
— NBA Official (@NBAOfficial) August 8, 2021
This play should result in a no-call, as the offensive player leans into the defensive player (at an abnormal angle), but the contact was marginal. If the offensive player had initiated more than marginal contact, an offensive foul would be the correct call. (4/7) pic.twitter.com/GUUL7C2ldY
— NBA Official (@NBAOfficial) August 8, 2021
An offensive foul should be called on this play, as the offensive player uses his right shoulder and hip to dislodge the defender and the offensive player lands outside his normal floor position. (5/7) pic.twitter.com/w0Fc9z3p13
— NBA Official (@NBAOfficial) August 8, 2021
This play should result in a no-call, as the offensive player’s off-arm hooked the defender’s arm (in the process of abruptly attempting a shot in a non-basketball manner) but did not impede the defender’s ability to continue defending the play. (7/7) pic.twitter.com/AKEm0TeEwZ
— NBA Official (@NBAOfficial) August 8, 2021
With these new restrictions, we think it’ll be pretty funny to see someone like James Harden hook an opponent’s arm to draw a foul and then look up in confusion as the call goes the other way.
Jokes aside though, this is clearly a step in the right direction. At the end of the day, the defensive specialists needed a hand. And now that they’ve got it, we suspect that these players are probably shedding tears of joy, and why not?
With the law finally changing, they can do a lot more on the defensive end. And that results in fans getting a far more entertaining game.
Also Read: NBA Insider explains why the defensive scheme will be Lakers’ kryptonite during this upcoming season
