does it mean as long as the contact doesn't give the defender big advantage? i.e making him loose the ball or miss his shots?

Who You Gonna Call ???
 

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6230/6...473e048e_m.jpg

It is legal use of hands to accidentally hit the hand of the opponent when it is in contact with the ball. This includes holding, dribbling, passing, or even during a shot attempt. Striking a ball handler or a shooter on that player's hand that is incidental to an attempt to play the ball is not a foul.

Not at all. Try the dictionary.

Incidental:

1.Being minor or subordinate; happening as a chance consequence

2.Not of prime or central importance

3.Following or accompanying as a consequence

Well it's hard to interpret a word when even the dictionary is telling you it has few meanings. But combining all 3 definitions i would say:

As long as the contact by the defender doesn't gain much advantage out of the contact it is legal.

The contact with the hand is legal if it just kinda happens in an attempt to play the ball.

When you "go all out to slap the hand hard" it is no longer incidental.

There's a reason you don't see this tactic used more often...because it's near impossible to try and slap the hand on purpose.

And you're likely going to get some part of the wrist.

For all intents and purposes, short of a player punching another player's hand, I don't ever see an official not thinking a hit on the hand is incidental.

Them Bones, Them Bones, Them Dry Bones ...
 

... as long as the official believes that the contact did not involve the ball handler's wrist, or forearm.

Wreck Hall Ruleset??
 

Hah, try enforcing "rules" in pick up ball and you'll probably get run outta the gym

Yep, or worse.

Well, I don't either. But, this is a judgment call. He's telling us that he intends to smack the hand hard. So, if we judge properly, this is now a foul.