[ProfessaPackMan]

More Ref News:

Quote:

League officials will use replays for three additional calls this season. Officials will review plays in which defensive players may have taken charges but were in the restricted area under the basket. If by review an official finds the player was in the restricted zone, he can change the call to a blocking foul. They will also call for reviews of goaltending in the final two minutes of games, and all flagrant fouls will be reviewed to assess their classification. Flagrant fouls called during games can never be downgraded to personal fouls but can be downgraded from a Flagrant 2 to a Flagrant 1, for example. Also, officials will emphasize the “Reggie Miller rule” for a shooter who kicks his legs out during jump-shot attempts to create contact and draw fouls. Officials plan to call offensive fouls on shooters who blatantly kick out their legs to initiate contact. Officials will also be more aware of the “Respect the Game” rule, being more stringent on players who show an excessive amount of emotion arguing calls or attempt to delay the game while protesting. Finally, officials will lighten up on calling technical fouls for players who throw the ball against the stanchions. A few years ago, the league sought to crack down on players who threw the ball against the stanchions in frustration. Now, officials said, they will only call technicals on players who disrupt the game or toss balls that distract fans. There is already adverse reaction from the NBA’s announcement that teams have 90 seconds after the lineups are announced to step onto the court for the opening tip. The league wants to reduce pregame antics such as elongated handshakes and veritable “Soul Train” lines that currently occur before tipoff.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/20...campaign=sm_tw