Stephen Curry attempted to draw a foul against Nassir Leslie, but to no avail. Craig Mitchelldyer/AP Images
The NBA has made rule changes to prevent offensive players making unnatural moves to draw fouls.
Stephen Curry attempted to draw a foul during a preseason match, but was shocked by the no-call.
Many praised the rule change, since viewers often felt frustrated by attempts to draw fouls.
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In 2021-22, NBA players will have more difficulty getting to the free throw line.
The NBA made rule changes over the offseason to prevent offensive players making unnatural moves in order to draw fouls. Shams Charania, The Athletic's Shams Charania, said that these moves included leaning in on defenders to make contact or abruptly changing their paths to make contact.
These plays are frequently used by the league's most talented and headiest offensive players. These plays often frustrate defenders, coaches and commentators as well as fans. These foul-baiting tactics left defenders with no other options than to reduce their defense and maintain a safe distance from an offensive player.
Steve Nash, Brooklyn Nets' head coach, famously spoke out about Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Youth's tendency to stop short on drives and draw contact with defenders. Nash stated, "That's not basketball."
Stephen Curry discovered that the league is cracking down on such plays during the Golden State Warriors' preseason opener on Monday.
Curry was preparing for a stepback three pointer in the first quarter when Portland Trail Blazers forward Nassir Small jumped into the air and challenged the shot. Curry leapt into Little and hit the ball at the backboard, drawing three foul shots.
Curry did not receive a call. Curry ran down the court, his hands in the air and looking at the referees to get a whistle.
"Not this year!" One of the announcers stated,
Ironically, Curry and Steve Kerr, his coach, were both proponents for the crackdown.
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Kerr said that the game requires it. I repeat the same thing every time. If we're making calls in the NBA that would literally start fights in a pickup game because they're so egregious and non-basketball-related ... then we're doing something wrong."
Curry admitted to Slater that he wasn't clear on what constitutes a defensive foul but said it was better for the "purity of the game".
Curry stated, "But certainly the purity of football, the goal is put the ball into the basket and not just live and die trying to get to free-throw lines any way possible." I love the effort.
Kerr explained to Slater that he believes referees tend not to stress rule changes as much in the preseason and then relax in the regular season. Many fans will be pleased if moves like Curry's Monday result in no foul calls.
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