Saturday morning an NBA referee, sent by the league, was on hand to address some additional changes. I didn't hear the talk he gave the players, but was told the basics. One of the biggest things the referee stressed was how the rules of travelling were going to be enforced more strictly this season. They are not just going to be paying more attention to footwork, and calling the shuffle steps, but are also going to be tighter on players carrying the ball, or palming. This new NBA ball is so sticky, and so much easier to handle (I've been told by Blazer guards), it'll be much easier to illegally carry it when making one-on-one moves. We've been told before that travelling is going to be called more, so we'll have to see how this is actually applied once the season starts.
Not all the rules talked about by the referee were new rules, he was also clarifying some existing rules, and talking about what will be called tighter this season. Hand checking, and forearm checking was discussed. The NBA is also planning on cracking down on offensive players hooking defenders, in an effort to gain leverage when making a move to get around a defender. They're also trying to clean up the lane during free throws. Before a free throw is attempted, players are no longer allowed to extend their arms into other players to try to gain an advantage. These may seem like little points, but we'll no doubt be discussing them, at least early in the season, during games.
A couple of other minor rules that I've heard are going to be enforced are, players can no longer come to the scorers table, to check in, with their jerseys untucked. On the floor, of course, they've always had to keep shirts tucked in. Those full-length leg tights that got popular last season are no longer allowed. And, sweat bands may be worn only on the wrists, and not on the upper arm or forearm. I thought of Kobe when I heard this one, because he always wears one on his bicep. Well, he used to. That won't be allowed anymore. Players also won't be allowed wear those rubber bands, that have become so popular, on their wrists.

Saturday morning an NBA referee, sent by the league, was on hand to address some additional changes. I didn't hear the talk he gave the players, but was told the basics. One of the biggest things the referee stressed was how the rules of travelling were going to be enforced more strictly this season. They are not just going to be paying more attention to footwork, and calling the shuffle steps, but are also going to be tighter on players carrying the ball, or palming. This new NBA ball is so sticky, and so much easier to handle (I've been told by Blazer guards), it'll be much easier to illegally carry it when making one-on-one moves. We've been told before that travelling is going to be called more, so we'll have to see how this is actually applied once the season starts.
Not all the rules talked about by the referee were new rules, he was also clarifying some existing rules, and talking about what will be called tighter this season. Hand checking, and forearm checking was discussed. The NBA is also planning on cracking down on offensive players hooking defenders, in an effort to gain leverage when making a move to get around a defender. They're also trying to clean up the lane during free throws. Before a free throw is attempted, players are no longer allowed to extend their arms into other players to try to gain an advantage. These may seem like little points, but we'll no doubt be discussing them, at least early in the season, during games.
A couple of other minor rules that I've heard are going to be enforced are, players can no longer come to the scorers table, to check in, with their jerseys untucked. On the floor, of course, they've always had to keep shirts tucked in. Those full-length leg tights that got popular last season are no longer allowed. And, sweat bands may be worn only on the wrists, and not on the upper arm or forearm. I thought of Kobe when I heard this one, because he always wears one on his bicep. Well, he used to. That won't be allowed anymore. Players also won't be allowed wear those rubber bands, that have become so popular, on their wrists.