I would
NOT interpret the purpose of this rule as "the coach is forced to replace a player if he enters the court."
Letter of the law yes, but you know as well as I do that the coach spends 3/4 of the game on the court anyway - so when is he entering or not entering.
The intent of the rule is to get a new player into the game if the original player is injured such that they cannot continue. Cannot continue to me would be that as a player I am obviously injured or I am so concerned about my condition that I want the coach and trainer to examine me right where I lay - they must enter the court. It's not the concern of the coaches - it is the concern, or obvious injury, of the player that drives this.
In the original case of this thread the player after some delay got up and was ready to continue. Even if I jumped the gun and beckoned the coach and then the player immediately got up before there was any physical or verbal contact between the two (coach and player), I personally would disregard and let the player stay. My mistake to have beckoned.
If the whole thing can be cleaned up in 10 seconds or less - let's play some ball. If the player just lies on the floor waiting for assistance beckon the coach and we need a sub. This isn't a new way of getting an uncharged time out - player lies on the floor for 30 seconds and the coach won't enter when beckoned. No way! We need a sub, coach. You guys are messing with me and you will need a sub to continue.
I guess I personally would ask the player "Can you continue?" Give them about 5 seconds to either answer "No" or get up. If they can get up, give them another 5 seconds to really finalize their decision to continue. If the player is still hobbling around ask "Are you ready to go?" If the answer is "Yes." then hand in the ball. If "No." then get a sub.
An official's decision to call the coach has got to be a valid/worthy one because it also includes that now we need a substitue. If the coach obviously makes that decision for you and is on the floor examining (physically) his player then he has forced the issue and we need a substitute or a time out.
JMHO
