If the officials resume play with 6 players on the floor from a team, it's our screw-up as well as the player and the coach's. The team has gained an advantage and it's a T because you can only play with 5 players.
If the officials resume play with 4 players on the floor from a team, it's our screw-up as well as the player and the coach's. But the team has not gained an advantage and it's not a T since the player never returned to the floor. If the player doesn't return and play is resumed, then the game hasn't been delayed, has it?
The rule is to prevent a player from delaying in returning and gaining an advantage, such as sneaking down to his basket form his bench, unseen. 10.1.9 cites this play. The purpose of the rule is not to penalize a team that mistakenly only sends 4 players back out.
Post this question in a new thread and see how many of the veterans agree with calling a T for playing with only 4 players.
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