Rule changes for the upcoming season are expected, with the NBA’s Board of Governors set to meet on Sep. 21. These include changes to the shot clock after an offensive rebound, clarifying when instant replay is used, and simplifying the clear-path foul.
The NBA informed teams of the proposed changes after the league’s competition committee unanimously agreed to them, according to a report from Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports. They’ve been sent to the Board of Governors for further evaluation.
The board will require a two-thirds majority to pass and implement the revisions for the 2018-19 season. Here’s an in-depth look at the proposals, and how they could impact the Detroit Pistons.
Under the proposed changes:
1. After an offensive rebound, the offensive team will have their shot clock reset to 14 seconds as opposed to the usual 24 seconds. The NBA believes that this will encourage more shot attempts, especially towards the end of a close game.
2. A clear-path foul will be in effect when:
- “A personal foul is committed on any offensive player during his team’s transition scoring opportunity.”
- “When the foul occurs: the ball is ahead of the tip of the circle in the back court, no defensive player is ahead of the offensive player with the scoring opportunity, and that offensive player is in control of the ball, or a pass to him has been released.”
- “The defensive foul deprives the offensive team of a transition scoring opportunity.”
In the event that a clear-path foul is given, two free throws and a sideline possession will be awarded.
The NBA states that this would make the decision easier for referees to determine a clear-path foul, as they no longer need to make a judgement call on whether a defender was between the basket and the offensive player.
3. Instant replay will now be used for any “hostile act”. A hostile act used to be defined as a player-to-player interaction only. This will now include referees, coaches, and fan interactions as well.
How will these changes impact the Detroit Pistons?
The rule change that affects the Pistons the most is the shot-clock reset. We’re going to see many more offensive possessions from Detroit this season, mostly thanks to Andre Drummond and his prolific offensive rebounding skill.
With the shot clock shortening, this will lead to more field-goal attempts, and possibly, more offensive rebounds and second-chance opportunities.