A Royal Pain
Fansided

Kings’ De’Aaron Fox voices his opposition to this new NBA rule

By Parker Thomas

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 04: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings looks on against the Atlanta Hawks during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game at Golden 1 Center on January 04, 2023 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 04: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings looks on against the Atlanta Hawks during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game at Golden 1 Center on January 04, 2023 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Tuesday, the NBA Board of Governors officially implemented two new rule changes for the 2023-24 NBA season, according to Shams Charania.

One rule states that a second coach’s challenge will be awarded if the first challenge is successful, something that was not a thing previously in the NBA. For the vast majority of fans, that is a good rule change.

The second rule states that a technical free throw will be awarded to the opposing team as a punishment for flopping. This rule has some mixed opinions – and Clutch Player of the Year De’Aaron Fox has taken to Twitter to voice his opposition.

Fox sarcastically says here that NBA referees need more power – something the NBA has struggled with over recent seasons. Some people might say initially “This is a good rule change, if you finally get punished for flopping, it will stop it!”

While these people are correct, it would be good if that happened, there have already been cases of this not being correctly applied in the NBA Summer League – where the rule is currently being tested.

In the clip below, you can see the player getting hit in the face and having a very normal reaction to that, but he still gets penalized for a flop:

https://twitter.com/espnnba/status/1676753614285549571?s=46&t=IgxhW89aYDSdjmoJ6vWbbg

This rule is good in concept but needs to be finely outlined before it is implemented. Technical fouls have punishments – resulting in suspensions and fines for players, as was also pointed out by Fox. While flopping is certainly a problem, there will be numerous genuine reactions to plays that will be called flops and penalize a team for nothing.

Fox said here what he thinks should be done instead of a technical free throw being awarded for flopping:

https://twitter.com/swipathefox/status/1678931706101878789

Once again, the flopping rule in concept is a good idea, but it is difficult to accurately enforce. Should this rule have been implemented? Right now, it’s too early to tell. We will have to see what happens next season and how the referees decide to call these fouls. One thing is for sure though – De’Aaron Fox is against it.

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