The NBA recently implemented the Coach Challenge, taking a page out of the NFL’s playbook to allow coaches to challenge calls they think are incorrect.
The rule has proven to work, and while it may expose refs — which they certainly don’t want to happen — the NBA appears to be looking to make it better for teams.
According to Chris Haynes, the NBA is reported to be considering adding a second and final challenge if the first coach challenge proves successful.
The NBA Competition Commission is in serious discussions about awarding teams a second and final challenge if the first challenge is judged successful beginning in the 2023-24 season, league sources say. @employeeAnd @ bleach report.
– Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) May 26, 2023
Hines adds that the new rule could be implemented as soon as next season, noting that they could have a test during the 2023-24 NBA Summer League.
Notably, the league has attempted to be more transparent and accountable when it comes to NBA referees, publicly sharing last-minute reports even if the referees made some mistakes.
Accountability is even more important nowadays when everyone can pause and rewind games and all the information is available.
Some fans have even gone the extra mile to search the umpires’ personal social media profiles to try to determine if they are fans of a particular team, and they keep an accurate record of their team’s history when it has been officiated by any particular umpire.
Props to the NBA for trying to make the game more fair and transparent, even if it messes with the flow of the game by interrupting it with a challenge.
It’s time to make the most of technology and its perks.
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