Changes OK’d for ‘take fouls’
LAS VEGAS — Following a prolonged outcry about the use of intentional fouls used to stop fast breaks before they start, the NBA Board of Governors on Wednesday sought to put a stop to the stoppages.
The league approved stronger penalties for teams using “transition take fouls” that it defined as when “following a change in possession, the offensive team is continuously advancing the ball while it has an advantage based on the speed of the play, the position of the defenders or both.”
Teams that are fouled in those situations will receive one free throw and possession of the ball. Teams may designate any of their players on the floor at the time of the foul to take the free throw.
Teams may still commit a transition take foul in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter or final two minutes of overtime without the increased penalty.
A transition take foul may be called on any player fouled on a fast break, regardless of if he has the ball.
Play-in tourney format is staying
The Board of Governors as expected also approved making the play-in tournament used to determine the final two playoff teams in each conference an ongoing part of the playoff system. It has been used on an experimental basis the past two seasons.
The format for the play-in tournament was not changed. Teams that finish seventh and eighth in each conference will play for the seventh seed. The teams that lose those games will play the winners of games between teams that finished ninth and 10th in each conference, with the winner of that game becoming the eighth seeds in the playoffs.
Ex-ABA players get some help
Former ABA players considered “pioneer players” will get recognition from the NBA and National Basketball Players Association that they can spend.
The league and players association announced a jointly funded program to provide payments to approximately 115 former ABA players who played at least three years in the league but did not qualify for NBA pensions.
Former ABA players who qualify will receive approximately $3,828 per year of service.
“Both our current players and team governors felt a need to act on behalf of these former ABA players who are aging and, in many cases, facing difficult economic circumstances,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “These pioneers made meaningful contributions to help grow the game of professional basketball and we all believe it’s appropriate to provide financial recognition to this group for their impact.”