The NBA officials have been calling more fouls this season, than any season in the past. Specifically, technical and flagrant fouls. For many fans and players, it may feel as if the latter is not allowed to share their emotion on the court. Not only that, but there have been pretty blatant missed calls. All this proves the statement that the NBA has a foul problem.
Many of the calls that have been made could be considered questionable. The officials are doing their job to protect the players and move the game. However, we have seen way too many fouls called and we’re just now reaching the mid-point of tmihe season.
At this point in the season, the technical fouls are piling up. Nine players have 10 or more technical fouls thise season. Including some of the games biggest stars. According to Teamrankings.com, here are the top 15 players in terms of technicals:
- Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors, 15
- Dillon Brooks, Memphis Grizzlies, 13
- Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks, 12
- Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves, 12
- Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, 12
- Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns, 11
- DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls, 10
- Jordan Poole, Golden State Warriors, 10
- De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings, 10
- Marcus Morris, Los Angeles Clippers, 9
- Bojan Bogdanovic, Detroit Pistons, 9
- Nic Claxton, Brooklyn Nets, 9
- Kelly Oubre, Charlotte Hornets, 8
- Patrick Beverley, Orlando Magic, 8
- Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, 8
In total that’s 156 technical fouls called between just those players this season. However, that is not the entire list. The NBA also changed its ruling on what counts as a flagrant foul, and there has been a significant uptick in those fouls as well. Green is one tech away from being suspended, though he’s always been near the top of the league in fouls. Many of these players don’t have a foul problem though.
Flagrant foul ruling
Per the NBA Rule Book:
- If contact committed against a player, with or without the ball, is interpreted to be unnecessary, a flagrant foul—penalty (1) will be assessed. A personal foul is charged to the offender and a team foul is charged to the
- PENALTY: (1) Two free throws shall be attempted and the ball awarded to the offended team on either side of the court at the free throw line extended. (2) If the offended player is injured and unable to attempt his free throws, his coach will select one of the remaining four players in the game to attempt the free throws. (3) His coach will pick the substitute, who may not be replaced until the ball is legally touched by a player on the court. (EXCEPTION: Rule 3—Section V—e.) (4) The injured player may not return to the game. (EXCEPTION: Rule 9-Section II-a-(2)) (5) A player will be ejected if he commits two flagrant fouls in the same game.
- If contact committed against a player, with or without the ball, is interpreted to be unnecessary and excessive, a flagrant foul—penalty (2) will be assessed. A personal foul is charged to the offender and a team foul is charged to the
- PENALTY: (1) Two free throws shall be attempted and the ball awarded to the offended team on either side of the court at the free throw line extended. (2) If the offended player is injured and unable to attempt his free throws, his coach will select a substitute and any player from the team is eligible to attempt the free throws. (3) This substitute may not be replaced until the ball is legally touched by a player on the court. EXCEPTION: Rule 3— Section V—e. (4) The injured player may return to the game at any time after the free throws are attempted. (5) This is an unsportsmanlike act and the offender is ejected.
- A flagrant foul may be assessed whether the ball is dead or alive.
- A foul must be reviewed using Instant Replay to confirm it meets the criteria to be ruled a Flagrant (1) or (2).
A defensive player now has to give the player they’re guarding clear room to land. Although, that has caused less injuries, it has also boiled over into some unnecessary calls. Those calls then boil into the emotions of the defensive player, and when they talk the officials about it they get technials (a majority of the time). There’s a total of at least 20 players who have been called for a flagrant foul twice this season.
What about missed calls?
Not only is there a problem in terms of tecnicals and flagrants this season, but the officials have missed some pretty visible fouls. One of the biggest missed calls this season, happened in the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics:
LeBron James is not the player that has seen a missed call this season. Many others have as well, and it proves that this is an ongoing problem for the NBA year-after-year. There’s 25 players, who are averaging more than three fouls per game.
Yes, mistakes happen. However, crucial missed foul calls could cost a team a game and potentially their season.
TL//DR: The NBA has a foul problem
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