NBA

Mark Cuban says he asked the NBA to modify charging rules

Published by
Brad Sullivan

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban urged the NBA to modify a rule that he believes would result in a steep drop in charging calls.

Two key injuries to Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant took place during Sunday’s playoff action.

Antetokounmpo left Sunday’s game with an injury in the Bucks’ loss to the Miami Heat after falling on his back. That fall was the result of a collision with the Heat’s Kevin Love.

Whether or not Antetokounmpo’s absence was the main factor in the Bucks’ loss is open to debate, though it’s clear his absence negatively affected his team. His status for Game 2 of the Bucks’ series against the Heat is unknown at the moment.

In Morant’s case, his effort to drive against Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers resulted in him falling to the ground and injuring his hand. After the Grizzlies’ loss to the Lakers, Morant indicated that he’s uncertain whether he’ll be able to play in Wednesday night’s matchup between the two teams.

One extreme measure that the NBA could take is to simply get rid of the charging rule, which likely won’t happen. That’s because players would likely become more aggressive moving towards the basket.

In the case of Antetokounmpo, that could make him an even more dangerous player than he already is at the moment. During the past five regular seasons, he’s managed to get whistled for charging 148 times, by far the most in the NBA over that period.

Cuban’s suggestion of moving the circle back a foot has been made, though it seems unlikely that the NBA will go beyond taking it under consideration. Conceivably, that possibility could change if Antetokounmpo’s and Morant’s injuries result in extended absences that abruptly end their teams’ respective seasons.

This issue is one that Cuban may not have much time to focus on, considering that his Mavericks team fell short of the postseason. Cuban also has a major issue after the postseason, with veteran guard Kyrie Irving potentially leaving the team in free agency.

Brad Sullivan

Brad has written on a variety of both NBA and NFL topics and has worked previously as a sports information director at the collegiate level. A lifetime fan of sports, he's witnessed countless great moments in different sports and understands that stories can be compelling from both the perspective of winners and losers. As a frustrated fan of Cleveland sports, he experienced something unprecedented when the Cavaliers won the city's first championship in 52 years.

Published by
Brad Sullivan

Recent Posts

Report: NBA GM believed Grizzlies would have had to shop Ja Morant this summer before they fired Taylor Jenkins

Earlier on in the year, long before the Memphis Grizzlies dismissed Taylor Jenkins after he…

10 hours ago

Ja Morant opens up about Grizzlies firing Taylor Jenkins: ‘It’s tough for me’

Guard Ja Morant suited up for the first time since the Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor…

1 day ago

Tyrese Haliburton on ‘easy decision’ to name SGA MVP: ‘If you took a player poll, I’m sure he would win’

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a compelling case to win this season's MVP…

3 days ago

Report: ‘Early expectation’ is that Clint Capela will sign elsewhere this summer

Big man Clint Capela is in his fifth season playing for the Atlanta Hawks, and…

4 days ago

Stephen A. says LeBron is in his feelings: ‘Could it be because I don’t believe you’re the G.O.A.T.?’

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith claimed on Wednesday that if his confrontation with Los Angeles Lakers…

5 days ago

LeBron James reflects on 2007 Cavs roster that he took to NBA Finals: ‘How is that possible?’

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James recently reflected on the 2006-07 Cleveland Cavaliers and their…

6 days ago