The NBA’s new potential rule change surrounding “Heaves” is extremely gentle and very embarrassing

When it comes to exercise, I’m all for trying new things and seeing what sticks. While there will always be people who are stuck in the past or hate change just because things haven’t always been done that way, I say that innovation isn’t always a bad idea. If the idea sticks, great! If it sucks, change it back! In the NBA we see this play out with things like the Play In (a hit) and the NBA Cup (TBD), and every year we hear about various rule changes or focuses that will hopefully make the game even better as a viewing experience.

This will be no different in the coming season. We’ve already heard about how the rules around challenges are being expanded

This absolutely had to happen. We’ve seen how a game like this has impacted playoff games this year (Kyrie vs. MIN, Jrue Holiday vs. DAL), and for me it’s an easy adjustment. If a player was fouled and the ball went out of bounds, that play should be allowed to be taken into account in the review.

But not all possible rule changes make that much sense. For example, the G-League will test how “Heaves” are counted at the end of the quarter, and it might be the softest shit the league has ever (potentially) done

End of the “Heaves” period: Certain unsuccessful “heaves” at the end of the period will be converted from an individual player’s missed field goal attempt to a team field goal attempt if the following criteria are met: 1) The missed field goal attempt occurs within the last three seconds of the game rather than the first three periods, 2) the missed field goal attempt must be made from beyond the outside edge of the extended center circle (i.e. approximately 36 feet from the basket) as shown here, 3) the play must be in the backcourt take place .

If a field goal attempt meets the above criteria and the shot is taken, the player will be credited with a standard field goal attempt. The final result of the team’s field goal attempts is not tied to the individual player. If a field goal attempt meets the above criteria but the shot is blocked by a defender, the attempt is considered a team field goal attempt and the defender is credited with a blocked shot. Any associated rebounds following such a blocked shot will still be credited to an individual player if necessary.

I’m sorry…what? I suspect the idea here is to encourage more players to say those prayers and not give a damn about their FG percentage, something we’re seeing all the time in the NBA right now. How often does a player have a clear path to throw it from half court, only for them to wait just enough and instead decide to release the ball right after the buzzer? Cowards if you ask me.

To address this, is the NBA proposing that if a player makes the basket it counts toward his stats, but if he misses it counts as a team stat? If he gets blocked, is that a team value for the offensive player but an individual value for the defensive player?

Giphy images.

Maybe it’s just because I’m old, but this is the softest crap I’ve ever heard. Is this where we are as a society? We now coddle these players so much that the NBA is even willing to pretend a player’s FGA doesn’t count as long as he misses? Guess what? Not all NBA players are suckers when it comes to shooting. Not all NBA players care so much about their FG percentage that they will willingly pass up an opportunity to help their team because it could hurt their percentages.

Some players out there have balls. Some players out there view this “roll” as an ability and an opportunity to bury their opponent, regardless of when it happens. Regular season, playoffs, NBA Finals, they have no fear

I understand why the NBA is considering this idea. The hope is that more players might be willing to put it into action once they no longer have to worry about the negative aspects and affecting their FG%. I guess that makes sense, but that doesn’t make it any less embarrassing.

Is this all that big of a deal and even something worth thinking about? Maybe not to normal people, but I never claimed that I was normal. There’s just something wrong with me when it comes to this proposed change. Shooting the ball, no matter when or where it happens, should count. Do it or miss it. You shouldn’t be able to decide which shots count and which don’t, they all count.

Personally, I thought this was Day 1 stuff, but maybe that’s just me.