NBA NEWS

Silver expects foul rule to be discussed

The Sports Xchange

April 23, 2015 at 7:16 pm.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver. Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

NBA commissioner Adam Silver anticipates a league discussion in the next few months about the tactic of fouling away from the ball.

After the San Antonio Spurs used the strategy to send Los Angeles Clippers forward DeAndre Jordan, a notoriously poor free throw shooter, to the line 17 games during a playoff game, Silver said he’s not sure how he feels about a rule change.

Jordan made just 6 of 17 free throws on Wednesday night in the Clippers’ 111-107 loss to the Spurs in overtime.

“I’ve gone back and forth,” Silver said during an Associated Press Sports Editors meeting.
“I’ve sat in meetings with some of the greatest players like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird who said that players should learn to make their free throws and it’s part of the game. At the same time, it doesn’t make for great television, so I’m on the fence right now.”

Silver expects the issue to come up at a meeting of league general managers in May and to be addressed by the Competition Committee in June.

Possible options include declining the free throws and keeping the ball, or awarding possession to the same team after the free throws. The league also could keep the status quo.

In the past, coaches have said they wanted the option available to them. Silver thinks it can be a “fascinating” tactic.

“I’ve listened to owners change their point of view on it both ways — general managers and coaches as well,” Silver said. “Sometimes the issue with coaches and general managers, of course, it depends on who’s on their roster at any given time as well, understandably. So it’s our job to take a longer-term view of it, but I think that’s one of those issues that we’re going to be very engaged in over the next few months.”

Silver also said NBA Draft lottery reform and changes to the playoffs will be discussed.

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