By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The trend of borrowing overseas rules and adapting them to the NBA continues through coaching challenges.
Potentially implementing the FIBA rule regarding a technical free throw as the penalty for flopping expands to challenges presented by head coaches and a similar rule used in Spain’s Liga Endesa. NBA’s competition committee is considering adding a second coaching challenge for the 2023-24 season, according to Chris Haynes of TNT and Bleacher Report.
The change would allow head coaches across the NBA to challenge a second call, if the first is successful, versus one available coaching challenge per game. The rule, stretching to multiple North American major leagues in multiple variations and in recent years a crucial part of basketball worldwide, was introduced to the NBA for the 2019-20 season. As established, the referees interrupt action upon a challenge and can overturn the initial call with conclusive evidence through replays carefully studied on the sidelines.
The ACB actually increased the challenges from one to two until the last two minutes of each Liga Endesa contest at the start of the 2022-23 season. In Spain’s case, the play-callers can keep both if the first challenge is confirmed, otherwise lose both.
Similar to possibly introducing the flopping rule to the NBA, the second challenge can be tested during the 2023 NBA Summer League.
Limiting referee mistakes is the obvious goal of video assistance. However, delaying the game is the consequence, on many occasions tiring fans in attendance and those watching from home.
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