It is one of the narratives of the last third of the season. Since the teams returned from the All-Star break, scoring has plummeted from 115.7 to 111.7 points per game. This is largely due to the fact that, for some time now, referees are being more permissive with contact. As an example, it has also gone from 22.7 free throws before the All-Star to the current 19.9. However, in his last newsletterMarc Stein assures that a spokesperson for the league has told him that the NBA has not given guidelines to referees to call fewer fouls.
During the days following the all-star weekend, the league itself leaked to the media that it was studying the possibility of providing defenses with tools against attacks that break efficiency records year after year. Although an interview for ESPNJoe Dummars made it clear that it was still early to make such a decision.
The drop in points per game is similar to what is usually experienced between the regular season and the playoffs. A scenario where the whistle becomes much more lax every April. The NBA, however, insists that this is a mere statistical anomaly. Even if it lasts more than 100 games. Obviously, the refereeing committee cannot, with the rules in hand, make decisions parallel to the league’s management leadership. Why doesn’t the NBA want to admit the obvious?
(Portography by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
2024-03-12 18:44:26
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