LAS VEGAS — The “transition take foul” which infuriated fans because it eliminated the exciting fast break opportunities
by the NBA teams, will now come with a penalty.
On Tuesday, the NBA Board of Governors approved a change to the playing rules that will impose a heightened penalty when a defensive player commits a “transition take foul.”
Beginning with the 2022-’23 season, teams will be rewarded with a free throw and possession of the ball when a defensive player commits a “transition take foul.” And that free throw can be attempted by any player who is in the game at the time.
In addition, the player who commits the “transition take foul” will be handed a common personal foul.
“I like the idea of the take foul,” Mavs governor Mark Cuban told Mavs.com during halftime of Tuesday’s summer league game between the Mavs and Phoenix Suns. “We’ll see how it all plays out, but it’s going to be a little bit weird, because if you’re in the bonus and you foul somebody it’s still only the one foul plus the ball as opposed to two shots on the free throw line.
“So it’ll be real interesting to see how it all plays out. They said they’re going to be flexible and try to learn and adapt, so we’ll see.”
Nevertheless, teams may still commit a “transition take foul” in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter and in the last two minutes of any overtime period — regardless of whether the foul occurs during a fast-break play — without triggering the heightened penalty. This exception will allow the defensive team to use the long-standing tactic of taking a foul to stop the clock during an attempted comeback or prevent the opposing team from potentially tying the game with a three-pointer.
The Board of Governors also approved the adoption of the NBA Play-In Tournament on a full-time basis. The NBA will use the same format that was in place for the play-in tournament during the past two seasons.
“I like it, and I brought this up,” Cuban said. “I wish they would have set a threshold where you have to be within four games or five games (of qualifying for the Play-In Tournament), because you can have scenarios with the (Los Angeles) Clippers and (New Orleans) Pelicans where (Clippers forward) Paul George gets sick and he can’t play, and even though they’re 10 games up, now all of a sudden they’re out.
“I asked about adjusting it, but there weren’t buying it, so it is what it is.”
And that didn’t sit well with Cuban.
“You might tank the play-in games,” he said. “You can have a game where a team is way under .500 and to get the first pick or top three picks, and all a sudden they’re like, ‘Well, if we win we get in the playoffs, then we don’t get that top three pick and it might be great player,’ and you could be somebody who tank the play-in game.
“That’s why I think it should be a threshold. They said they’ll adapt, so we’ll see what happens.”
DUDLEY MAKES COACHING DEBUT: Jared Dudley made his coaching debut Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns, although the results weren’t what he wanted them to be.
Dudley coached the Mavs’ summer league team to a 105-78 loss to the Suns at Cox Pavilion. It was a milestone game for Dudley, who was still a member of the Los Angeles Lakers this time last year before coach Jason Kidd convinced him to join his staff as an assistant coach.
“Just imagine this — less than a year (ago) I wasn’t even retired,” Dudley said. “I retired in August (of 2021).
“For me to come from the bench to be a head coach, to learn from J-Kidd, (assistant coach Sean) Sweeney, (assistant coach Greg) St. Jean, it’s an honor.”
Dudley, who turned 37 this past Sunday, played 14 seasons in the NBA for seven different teams. He also won a title with the Lakers in 2020.
St. Jean coached the Mavs in last Friday’s summer league opener against the Chicago Bulls, and George Galanopoulos coached Monday’s game against the Utah Jazz.
“For me it’s just like when I was in high school, and as a basketball player you start from the bottom,” Dudley said. “I wasn’t ranked and I had to work my way up. It’s the same thing here in coaching.
“I’m a rookie. I’ve got to pay my dues. I have to watch film and get into it. One thing about me, I’m a hard worker and I’m going to be just fine. I’m just humbled and honored for the opportunity to be able to coach.”
MAVS FALL TO 0-3: Tuesday’s loss to the Suns dropped the Mavs to 0-3 in summer league play.
The Mavs shot just 33.8 percent from the field and were outrebounded, 50-34.
“You’ve got to give Phoenix credit,” summer league coach Jared Dudley said. “Phoenix played well. They came out physical and got into us. We’re coming off a back-to-back and the guys’ legs were a little tired.
“For us, you’re going to be playing back-to-back, you’re going to be playing physical teams. I wish I would have saw a little more fight. But overall credit (the Suns).”
Guard Jerrick Harding led the Mavs with 20 points, five rebounds and five assists in just 23 minutes.
“I had him in the free agent camp and he was phenomenal for me,” Dudley said. “Natural born scorer.
“He can shoot the ball — lefty. He’s played well these last two games and he can possibly start one or two more games.”
The Mavs will play their fourth summer league game on Thursday at 7 p.m. CT against the Milwaukee Bucks at Cox Pavilion. The game will be televised on ESPNU.
Twitter: @DwainPrice
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