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The implementation of a coach's challenge has been received with plenty of backlash by NBA helmsmen, but the league is pleased with the results. Every coach in the league has tried to challenge at least once, but many are left uncertain by how the rule works, as challenging one call doesn't necessarily mean the desired outcome will stem from the challenge.
“I'm not a big fan,” said Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps.
“I don't like it,” Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.
“I tend not to do it, because I don't understand it,” said San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who was the last of the 30 coaches to attempt a challenge, which he won. “I don't get it, so I don't try.”
Others prefer to stay away from it altogether:
“My preference is to let [the referees] do their job, and I'll do mine,” said Sacramento Kings coach Luke Walton.
“I don't like it,” said Philadelphia 76ers coach Brett Brown. “I don't like it.”
Even Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson, who won his first five challenges, isn't happy with it.
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“I would check the ‘No' box,” said Atkinson.
Yet the league feels it's merited some progress, which hints the coach's challenge is here to stay.
“We're very pleased with how a very difficult concept and rule has been implemented,” said former referee Monty McCutchen, the NBA's vice president of referee development and training.
“There have been some growing pains, but overall we're very happy.”
McCutchen noted there's room for improvement, as most of the stuff that has frustrated coaches is how their desired outcome is at times not met, even if they “win” the call and get to keep their timeout.
“For this to be successful, referees have to have a demarcation line,” said McCutchen. “What is tied to the play, and what is not tied to the play. Gathering the ball is tied to the play… Once we have a year's worth of data, then we can look at refining it and calibrating it.”
The league has put this in play with the idea of developing it over time and letting coaches have a voice. There's always a photo or video reaction of a coach losing his mind because of a wrongful call, and this provision could put a stop to that in time, though both sides need to further progress before this change is embraced by all involved.
