The National Basketball Association (NBA) this season introduced a change in free throw rules, curbing scoring. The referees have been given the license to stop offensive players drawing fouls by jumping into defenders to draw contact in an unnatural motion. In simple terms, when an offensive player, running towards the basket, hooks his arm into the defender’s arm in order to get a foul call, his actions will be monitored. 

The rule change has impacted the league’s scoring charts. Per game free throw attempts have reduced to 20 this season as opposed to 23.1 in 2019. Defending champions Milwaukee Bucks averaged 120.1 points per game last season and the number has drastically fallen this year. NBA’s average offensive rating for teams has dropped from 112.3 to 107. 

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“The approach to non-basketball moves is having its intended effect of cleaning up that area of the game and getting back to the skilled pump fakes and normal moves,” NBA President of League Operations Byron Spruell told the Washington Post

“Getting back to the beauty and skill of the game. The committee was unanimously supportive of where we are and where we’re headed, and they feel like we’re going in the right direction. So does the league, by the way,” he added. 

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The likes of Luka Doncic, Trae Young and Bradley Beal have registered low scoring averages this season. Atalanta Hawks’ Young is currently averaging 22.4 points a game with 5.6 free throws. 

“There are certain things that I agree with the rule changes, but then there’s things that are still fouls, and guys are going to get hurt. Especially a smaller guy like me who’s going up against bigger and stronger defenders, they’re using their body and they’re using their legs and their hands to stop me,” Young was quoted in an ESPN report.