Hawks’ Trae Young latest to complain about rule changes: ‘There’s a lot of missed calls’

When the NBA adopted new rule modifications this offseason relating to foul calls, it was an try to handle what had grow to be a league-wide challenge. Nonetheless, it was clear from the start that the brand new methodology of officiating was going to impression some gamers far more than others. 

That truth was so clear to everybody that the league may as effectively have named the brand new guidelines after Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden and Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young. Unsurprisingly, each gamers have had difficulties adjusting to the brand new regular by way of the primary 10 days of the season. 

Harden and Nets coach Steve Nash have already made quite a few feedback, and now Younger has chimed in as effectively. Following the Hawks’ loss to the Washington Wizards on Thursday evening, Younger voiced his complaints about how the sport is being referred to as. 

“I do not need to get fined an excessive amount of, nevertheless it’s irritating,” Young said. “There’s quite a lot of missed calls. It is basketball. It is simply, it feels that they are studying, and so they’re simply — I do not know. It is irritating.”

Within the defeat, Younger completed with simply 15 factors and three free throw makes an attempt. Total, his numbers are fairly just like final season, however he has seen a serious drop-off in journeys to the road. By 5 video games, he is averaging simply 4.4 free throw makes an attempt, which might be the bottom variety of his profession, and half of what he averaged final season. 

Younger added that he has no drawback with the rule modifications making an attempt to remove foul baiting corresponding to gamers veering into defenders whereas dribbling or leaping into them with unnatural taking pictures motions. Nevertheless, very similar to Harden, he believes there’s quite a lot of contact being ignored, and that the pendulum has swung too far. 

“Veering again and leaping into guys — that is totally different,” Younger stated. “There are particular issues that, I agree with the rule modifications, however then there’s issues which are nonetheless fouls, and guys are going to get damage. Particularly a smaller man like me who’s going up towards greater and stronger defenders, they’re utilizing their physique and so they’re utilizing their legs and their arms to cease me.”

There was one possession within the third quarter the place you possibly can clearly see what Younger was referencing. 

He crosses over and tries to drive previous Aaron Holiday, who bumps him off his path and forces an ungainly leaner that Montrezl Harrell blocks. There wasn’t any egregious contact right here by Vacation, nevertheless it’s the kind of play that possible would have been referred to as a foul previously. 

Extra broadly, it is an instance of defenders being given extra leeway when it comes to physicality. Maybe issues will soften a bit because the season goes alongside, however for now, it seems that Younger and Co. should get used to this new regular.