Big news from the NBA, which has approved a new rule allowing head coaches one challenge per game during the 2019-20 season.
Why? Because everyone else is doing it. Because it is believed that some league officials, just for fun, want to see if it’s possible to achieve a four-hour game. And/or because it provides a platform for in-game advertising.
Coaches can challenge called fouls, goaltending, basket interference and out of bounds plays. They must have a time out to use.
Here’s my favorite part of the new rule. According to a memo from the league to the teams, a coach wishing to challenge a call has to take a time out and “must immediately signal for a challenge by twirling his/her index finger toward the referees.”
While singing, “I Put a Spell on You.”
Warriors coach Steve Kerr is a pretty bright guy. He’ll find utility in the new rule. And it’s possible he’ll rue certain games that might have had a different outcome under the new rule. Presenting, then, five times Steve Kerr could have used a coach’s challenge.
1 or 2. March 19, 2019: The Warriors were in full comeback/scramble mode with seconds left in a game against Minnesota. Down three points, Kevin Durant — remember him? — drained a 3-pointer while being contacted by the Timberwolves’ Keita Bates-Diop. So, tie game with Durant going to the line for a 4-point play opportunity with 4.4 seconds on the clock? Er, no. The officials ruled that Bates-Diop fouled Durant before Durant got into his shooting motion. The 3 was waved off.
A great time for a challenge, wouldn’t you say? Instead Stephen Curry took it upon himself to rail a ridiculous game-tying 3-pointer with a half-second left. Minnesota took a time out and advanced the ball to the front court. Anthony Tolliver, attempting a lob pass to Karl-Anthony Towns at the rim, heaved the ball way out of bounds.
So, overtime? Er, no. The officials called a foul on Durant, who contacted Towns, who would have needed a jet pack to reach the pass.
Another great time for a challenge (assuming Kerr had passed on the first botched call?) Er, no. Towns converted one of his two free throws. Timberwolves win.
“Mind boggling,” Kerr said. Take a look and see what you think:
3. June 10, 2019. The Warriors three-peat dream was hanging by a thread in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals. Down 3-1 in the series to Toronto and having just lost Kevin Durant to a torn Achilles, The Dubs were flying around the court. Late in the second quarter, leading 54-43, Draymond Green blocked a Kyle Lowry layup. But a foul was called on Green who drew an immediate technical foul.
A good time to put that twirly finger to use, wouldn’t you say? Instead Green picked up his third personal foul and pulled to within one technical from ejection. It turned out well, with the Warriors winning the game and forcing a Game 6.
4. Feb. 13, 2019. The Portland Trail Blazers were making life miserable for the Warriors. Still, Golden State was down just seven points with 3:54 to play. That’s when the Blazers’ Zach Collins drove the lane and Draymond Green made sure he would not get off a shot. A flagrant foul was assessed against Green. A good time for a challenge? Maybe, but even in this parallel universe it probably wasn’t happening, as Kerr launched into an epic rant, smashed his white board and got ejected. Portland got four technical free throws and the ball. Eight Blazers points later the lead was 118-103. Game over, fly home safely.
5. 2016 postseason. In Game 2 of the Western Conference finals Draymond Green inadvertently drove his knee into the groin of Oklahoma City’s Steven Adams. There was some discussion whether or not it was a deliberate act. The following game Green had the ball stripped out of hands in the lane, and kicked out his foot, again booting Adams south of the border.
“Honestly, I think it’s intentional,” Adams said. “I mean, it happened before, mate. He’s pretty accurate, that guy.”
Not saying it would have done any good, but it couldn’t have hurt to have a coach’s challenge after the second shot to, as Green put it, “the man section.” Because the NBA eventually ruled a flagrant 1 on Green. It was his third flagrant foul in the postseason, one away from an automatic suspension — which Green picked up in Game 4. His absence in Game 5, which the Warriors lost, helped the Cleveland Cavaliers become the first team to rally from a 3-1 deficit in the Finals.
