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The NBA is constantly evolving, and that doesn’t just mean the players and the coaches. It also means the rules.
Next month, the league’s board of governors will vote on three new rules, which have been suggested by the NBA’s competition committee.
Sources: NBA Board of Governors will vote on Sept. 20-21 on 3 potential rule changes beginning in 2018-19: Shot clock re-sets to 14 seconds (instead of 24) after offensive rebound; simplification of clear path foul rule; expanded definition of “hostile act” for instant replay.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 23, 2018
The biggest change would be to the shot clock. Under the new format, the shot clock would reset to 14 seconds after an offensive rebound. Currently, the shot clock resets all the way to 24 seconds.
This shot clock rule is already in effect in the WNBA, FIBA international play, the G League, and Summer League.
Also of note is the clear path foul rule change. This would seek to eliminate intentional fouls in transition, which would be a very good thing. Finally, the third rule would allow the definition of a “hostile act” to be extended, thus allowing the referees the opportunity to use replay for a player’s interactions with fans, coaches, and refs.
The first two rules would have a strong impact on the Golden State Warriors. Golden State thrives in transition, but we see their opportunities get frequently stopped because of early, intentional transition fouls, so the change to the clear path rules would be a welcome sight.
Golden State usually excels off of offensive rebounds thanks to their bevy of shooters, but changing the rule would help keep their opponents from getting to reset and hold the ball after every rebound. That would be nice.
Ultimately, these rule changes are a good thing, and will almost surely be voted through (they require a two-thirds majority from the board of governors). And when they do, the league will get even better.