For years, NBA fans have been complaining about shooters drawing cheap fouls by initiating contact with a defender. It’s a move most associated with James Harden, but he’s far from the only guy who has earned easy free throws by leaning in on jump shots.
This move became enough of a problem that the NBA decided to do something about it. This year, shooters won’t be rewarded with defensive foul calls for initiating contact. Unnatural shooting motions that result in contact with a defender will either be non-calls or offensive fouls. It’ll take some getting used to, as Stephen Curry showed during Monday’s preseason game against the Blazers.