Perhaps the most talked-about development in the NBA this offseason is the amendment of the league's rules on foul-baiting. Specifically, the league introduced rules prohibiting offensive players from drawing fouls via “non-basketball moves”. These moves include launching one's body into the defender while shooting, unnatural direction changes to initiate contact with the defender, and other such moves that clearly show that the offensive player is the one to initiate contact. This is akin to the rule changes put into place years ago to counter the likes of Kevin Durant's rip-through move, Dwyane Wade's pump fake, and Reggie Miller's kick-out.
These foul-baiting techniques are utilized by superstars the most, and as such, the rule changes that counter these moves affect these superstars the most. Stephen Curry famously tried to draw a foul from three in a preseason game against the Portland Trailblazers, which was notably not given. He's currently leading the league in scoring with his Golden State Warriors leading the Western Conference, however, so it's safe to say that he's not really affected by the shift.
Here, we'll be taking a look at the five players who WERE severely affected by the new NBA rules on foul-baiting. All of these players' numbers dropped noticeably this season, with the biggest contributing factor most likely being the league's new foul-baiting rules.
NBA Players Hurting From New Rule (For Now)
One of the best in the NBA at drawing fouls has understandably been negatively affected by the new foul-baiting rules.
After an unlikely Eastern Conference Finals appearance last season, much was expected of Trae Young and his Atlanta Hawks this season. However, the budding team has so far struggled early on, sitting almost at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Trae, in particular, has not been up to par to start this season, especially after considering his heroic Playoff performances just a few months ago.
No doubt, the new rule changes have affected Young. From 8.7, his free throws per game have dipped to an almost career-low 5.3 a game. Other than that, his play has been affected by the new rules indirectly as well.
Trae is obviously most well-known for his deep three-point shooting, complimented extremely well by his proficiency in drawing fouls. Defenders couldn't sag off of him because of his shooting, nor could they stick too close and risk fouling him for three free throws.
Now, however, defenders don't have to worry about committing bad fouls on Young, meaning they can pick him up at halfcourt if they have to. They're allowed more leeway in pressuring the 6-foot point guard.
Ice Trae is, of course, an elite scorer and playmaker, meaning that he'll eventually find a way around these changes. Don't forget, Young and the Hawks started last season poorly, too.
Bradley Beal
The Washington Wizards, in contrast, have been doing very well this season. With a few smart offseason moves, they've managed to build a young and hungry team to potentially compete for a NBA Playoffs spot. They now sit at the top of the Eastern Conference above the likes of the Milwaukee Bucks and the Brooklyn Nets.
However, it hasn't been going as well for the Wizards' star player, Bradley Beal. From competing for the scoring title last season, the 6'6′ shooting guard has been averaging 24.2 points on a rather low 42.6% shooting from the field and 25.4% from three. It surely can't help that he's been shooting just 4 free throws a game from last year's average of 7.7. He IS converting around 97% of these, but the decreased attempts have really hindered him nonetheless.
Beal is a rather underrated player in terms of drawing fouls; like many other superstar scorers, he has utilized foul-baiting to his advantage to great effect. Like Trae Young and the other players on this list, Beal's proficiency in drawing fouls has caused defenses to be less suffocating in previous seasons. This advantage has been minimized somewhat this season.
The Wizards are doing well despite their star player's slump (if you can call 24 PPG a slump). However, they WILL need him to get back to his normal, 30-point scorer self if they are to make another NBA Playoffs bid.
Obviously, the best foul-baiter in the league was going to get affected by the rule changes.
James Harden's drop-off this season has been very noticeable, to say the least. From averaging almost 25 last year (already quite low for his standards) his scoring has gone all the way down to just about 18 PPG this NBA season. His FTA has gone down as well from around 7 a game to just a bit more than 4 this season.
Curiously, however, this isn't as much of a discrepancy as people expected, particularly since we're talking about the one and only James Harden. However, the man has averaged almost 12 FTAs a game in one season and has averaged double-digit FTAs a game for 5 straight seasons; looking at it, his attempts have gone down to just around a third of what it used to be.
These numbers don't tell the whole story, though, as they never do. Harden is also coming off of a rough hamstring injury that he picked up last Playoffs.
Obviously, an injury like the Beard's is going to hinder him in more ways than one. He's not as in shape as he would like, his first step isn't as quick as it was — a lot of Harden's offensive tools are hampered by his injury. Expect him to come back to regularly scoring 25 to 30 points as his conditioning improves.
Luka Dončić
Like his fellow superstar draftmate Trae Young, Luka Dončić has not performed quite up to par this season.
The Slovenian prodigy has already had his moments this season, like his fadeaway buzzer-beating three-pointer against the Boston Celtics to cap off a 33-point performance. However, it has still not been the most ideal start to the season for Luka. He's averaging about 24 and a half points on just about 43% shooting from the field and a career-low 28% from three.
Luka is also shooting about 2 free throws less than last season. A negligible change, sure, but it's an indication that foul-baiting will not be a viable weapon for him this season.
This has made Luka harder to operate inside, whether he's looking to score or dish out to his shooters. As with the others on this list, the more stifling defense being given to him has affected his game negatively.
Of course, Luka's bound to adjust. He's already finding his stride as it is; he's bound to get back to his old self. As it stands, he might even become greater than what people are expecting, as he adjusts to relying less on foul-baiting and more on good basketball. He'll be more than fine as the NBA season goes on.
Damian Lillard
Somewhat unexpectedly, Damian Lillard looks to be the superstar most affected by the new foul-baiting rules.
Like Bradley Beal, Dame is not particularly known to be a foul-baiter or a flopper. However, he's grown accustomed to getting calls inside and has been utilizing at a steadily-increasing rate. This is expected of a superstar-caliber player like Lillard, but it's worth noting nonetheless.
It's also worth noting how his free-throw attempts have decreased quite significantly this season, from almost 7 last season to just a bit more than 3 this time 'round. He is particularly adamant about his displeasure regarding the new foul-baiting rules, labeling them “unacceptable”.
Like Harden, Dame is also dealing with other factors besides the new rules; the 6'3” point guard is currently adjusting to new Portland Trailblazers head coach Chauncey Billups' system.
However, unlike Harden (who's shooting 40% from three), Lillard is shooting career lows of 38% from the field and a paltry 25% from deep. Dame D.O.L.L.A. hasn't exactly been cash money as of late.
It's been a highly-disappointing start for Lillard, who is looked at as a dark horse NBA MVP candidate. Dame will surely get his groove eventually as he and the Blazers look to climb up the Western Conference standings. As for now, it's not quite Dame Time just yet.
Follow Us
Subscribe