Refs new "freedom of movement" rule bans defenders from grabbing off ball cutters like Curry and Klay!!!

[Stillwater]

^ All these whiners will be totally losing it if any opponent arm wraps one of their players though.

I do hope the refs are just being especially tough about it in the preseason so everyone gets the message.

From what small sample size I've seen they seem to be oversensitive and probably calling it too frequently and more so then they are actually supposed to given the rule as stated being new to them as well, but of course the league is especially watching since it's new more closely at the enforcement of it I don't think it's the refs trying to send a message I think it's the refs trying to get it right

[Johnny Bball]

Why does it seem like every other year they insert new rules just to make the game easier for certain stars.

[Clyde Frazier]

Which has resulted in an obscene number of fouls in preseason...

[Yoshun]

The NBA making rules to make things easier for offensive players and to increase scoring is nothing new. That's really what this is about. Fans like to see movement and scoring, this rules moves the game even more in that direction.

[ropjhk]

One day the NBA will make it illegal for a defender to be within 5 feet of any player on offense. Stats will go crazy and people will use those stats as proof of how future players are so much better than those from the past.

[Darth Celtic]

Never understood why that was not enforced heavily before.

It seems they enforced it really well in the playoffs, but only for the home team. Like if you were at home you could do it, but on the road the other team did it. I watched the Celtics hold and get away with it at home, then complained about the other team doing it on the road with all 3 matchups.

[Liminy]

I definitely think this will make the game better and it won't be too extreme as long as they only call it when the defender grabs with two arms or holds the offensive player with his hand instead of just blocking with the body or arms. However, the most important thing to clean up is the offensive players veering into the defender or throwing his arms into him in an unnatural motion to draw fouls. That is what is truly unsightly.

[RCM88x]

I have a hard time imagining this being enforced 100%, thats just not possible. But I mean it is an issue, grabbing a guys jersey and riding him off the ball isn't basketball. Obviously wouldn't be a much of an issue if they were better at enforcing screen setting rules but that isn't going to happen.

[PizzaSteve]

Grabbing has alwsys been illegal, and teams desperate to compete with the warriors ramped it up to new levels. Glad to see enforcement being reenforced with refs who may have turned a blind eye due to warriors hate.

(sorry for typos in original)

[CS707]

Bigs being allowed to be played more physically in the post is just a quid pro quo for not calling them for all the offensive fouls that are committed. Trying to connect that to this rule change/emphasis/whatever doesn't really move the needle.

[smallgains]

It would be nice if the league would go with the rules that are already written before adding new ones that they will pick and choose when to enforce them...

[pac213up]

Defense really has no chance anymore. Would not so bad if they called moving screens according to the rules....but they don't.

[pac213up]

Also need to eliminate offensive players jumping to the side on jump shots to create contact and get the call. Should be an offensive foul.

[wablty]

Jesus man, this league is going to ****

Basically impossible to play defense now

If they are going to call that, then they better start calling MOVING SCREENS

I can't begin to tell you how frustrated the NBA position of making the moving screen functionally legal makes me, especially when they go and do something like this.

[inquisitive]

Moving screens supposedly enforced

[clyde21]

Good. Defenders have been given the freedom to maul Steph off the ball for years now.

[Admiral-Kizaru]

Have a feeling Steph is gonna have an MVP season this year.

[Jenga_tDot]

SOFT AF

[Antinomy]

Good god. It’s supposed to be a contact sport for christ’s sake.

Looks like we’ve taken the next step towards team’s having shootarounds to see who can score the most points in 48 minutes.

How many “positive” defensive rules have they implemented in the last 20 years?

Seems like the offenses are allowed to get away with more & more each year while defenses are getting their handcuffs tighter & tighter.

[Chi]

Shaq should make a comeback now that you can't do anything whatsoever to try and impede his "Freedom of movement" from getting to his spot on the floor...