The NBA has made several changes to its rulebook over the last few years with changes applying to both the league’s structure as well as basketball and non-basketball moves.
Most recently, the Association took on the “unnatural” shooting motions that many skilled players used to draw fouls by initiating contact with a covering opponent, most notably while performing a jump shot.
Earlier, the NBA extended the inclusion of the Play-In Tournament for the 2021-22 season. The postseason win-or-go-home battle for the last seed in each conference debuted in the Orlando bubble due to the disruption caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Intentional fouls to stop a fast break could be next on the league’s agenda. Cases of the so-called “Euro Foul” mushroomed across the league in the first couple of weeks of the current season. Head coach Frank Vogel said he noticed a growth in usage of the Euro Foul this year.
Vogel added he would like to see the NBA take a look at the rules surrounding the play, via Spectrum SportsNet’s Mike Trudell:
Frank Vogel said the Euro Foul (players intentionally taking a foul to stop a fast break) does seem to be growing. He thinks it’s something that the league should take a look at, as it cuts down on exciting/entertaining basketball plays.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) November 1, 2021
In most circumstances, the Euro Foul is ruled as a common foul in the NBA. Interestingly, FIBA has already taken care of the disruptive play.
In European leagues, game officials punish the defensive side committing a Euro Foul by rewarding the attacking team with two free throws and possession of the ball.
The NBA has a similar “clear path foul” that rewards the same thing, but that is only called when the player being fouled is ahead of all of the defending players.
Mid-season NBA tournaments probable in the future
In the lead-up to the 2021-22 season, the NBA reportedly discussed a future introduction of another mini-competition, similar to the infamous Play-In Tournament.
Unlike the play-in games, the new tournament would take place in the middle of the season. Although the structure of the extra in-season competition remains unknown, it is rumored the winning side would be rewarded with $1 million per player in prize money.
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