How Two New Rules May Help the Warriors Star Point Guard, Among Other NBA Players This Season
About a decade since the “landing space” rule was introduced by commissioner Adam Silver, the NBA added two more regulations to help prevent injuries this season. More specifically, these rules will primarily affect shooters. Known as the “high-five” rule, the first new measure will penalize players for making contact with any part of a shooter’s arm during their jump shot, regardless of how much they hinder their opponent. The second ruling, “delayed contact,” similarly punishes defenders for hitting shooters, even if that happens following the release of the ball.
This greatly benefits players like Stephen Curry, someone who relies on heavy volume for maximum productivity. Coach Kerr has voiced, on multiple occasions, that Curry does not receive the same treatment as other stars when it comes to fouls. In his career, the four-time champion has only shot 4.3 free throws per game, a number considered low when compared to his shot count,18 field goal attempts per game. That number will surely see an uptick this coming season, which should also aid the Warriors as a team in getting to the line, an area they’ve previously struggled with.
Most importantly, athletes will now have added security measures as the league attempts to limit injuries. This new set of rules will force officials to pay closer attention to close-outs on players like Curry, since the referees themselves get graded on the accuracy of their calls. The regulations, however, come with their challenges. How tightly can officials pay attention to contact when it’s marginal? In theory, the men in white and black cannot possibly pay attention to the slightest of touches from the two sidelines. Also, how can the referees tell if the contact is actually created by the shooter, otherwise known by some fans as “foul-baiting?”
I wonder if the league will give refs the authority, like they have in so many close games, to make that determination for themselves, or if they’ll just instruct them to call the plays exactly as they see them. While these new rules may seem objective, I believe that a human element of judgment may contribute to the decision-making. Will there even be a punishment introduced for players who try to take advantage of the new standards? I’d envision something similar to a yellow card for simulation in soccer. Obviously, that exact discipline wouldn’t be possible, but the NBA and Adam Silver should find a way to balance protection with integrity.
