The Toronto Raptors didn’t have the season they would have liked. There are many reasons that things went sideways. They include injuries, COVID-19, and not getting the opportunity to play a true home game thanks to the team being relocated to Tampa.
One reason that never comes up in the failure of the season is the NBA rules. They may not have contributed to the poor showing the Raptors had throughout the campaign but they also didn’t help make the product as enjoyable as it could have been. Luckily, there are solutions and you’re about to be presented with five of them.
Before we get into them, however, we must establish that the league did something unique this year and it worked out very well. They created the play-in tournament. Despite LeBron James famously voicing his dissent, it was a resounding success.
While the tournament was a win for the Association, there are still some changes that should be made for next season. These rule adjustments might upset the basketball purists, so if that’s you, this may be a bit of a system shock. Otherwise, if you’re ready to explore some new ideas for Raptors games. buckle up.
Top 5 potential NBA rules changes that could help the Toronto Raptors.
No. 5: Cutting down on cheap fouls.
One of the most frustrating things to watch during a Raptors game is when they, as defenders, bite on a player’s pump fake and jump to initiate a block. In response, the shooter will then jump into the Raptor who is in a helpless position in the air.
This is considered a shooting foul and the offensive player is rewarded with free throws. This needs to change. If a player jumps in a manner that appears like they are in a true shooting motion then they should get the benefit of the call. However, if the shooter jumps forward or to the side in a clear attempt to make contact with the defender, then it should not constitute a foul.
Hawks go to a double drag for Trae Young, Sixers have been switching that first screen. Allows Harris to go under and navigate the second screen. Atlanta keeps countering with the re-screen, Harris has to go over, Embiid dropped and here's the foul drawing. pic.twitter.com/t0PijseEqk
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) June 19, 2021
The Raptors could benefit from fewer foul calls on defense.
The NBA cleaned up the sideswipe players were doing to try and put themselves on the line. While it’s still a foul, at least it’s no longer a shooting one. At the very least, the NBA should change the rule that if a player jumps in the direction of another player and makes contact with them, it will not result in a shooting foul.
This new rule would certainly spark debate each time a shooter is fouled when leaving their feet. Questions would be asked about how much directional movement is allowed. Some discourse here is positive. It already exists when discussing blocks vs. charges.
If Chris Boucher is out guarding on the perimeter and jumps towards the shooter, he puts himself in a vulnerable position. With this new rule, if he sails through the air on a path that won’t touch the offensive player, but the shooter purposefully launches himself into Boucher, it won’t result in free throws that hurt the Raps.