NBA Board approves rules changes

Three rules changes were approved by the NBA Board of Governors on Friday. The NBA announced adjustments, unanimously recommended by the league's competition committee, were unanimously approved. Beginning with the 2018 NBA pre season, the shot clock will reset to 14 seconds in offensive rebounding situations, as opposed to 24; the clear-path foul rule will be simplified; and the definition of a "hostile act" will be expanded for purposes of triggering instant replay review. The shot clock goes to 14 seconds following offensive rebounds, a measure aimed at increasing shot attempts particularly late in close games. The shot clock reset to 24 seconds anytime the ball hit the rim in previous seasons. The change to the clear-path foul erases some of the judgment calls for referees by requiring only that the offensive player is ahead of all defensive players and in control of the ball or ready to receive an already released pass. The previous rule included more nuance about the defender's specific positioning and opportunity to make a play. The new language removes the requirement for the play to start in the backcourt, since transition plays can begin in the frontcourt. The third rule adopted relates to any "hostile act" that triggers the use of instant replay to include not just player-to-player interactions but also any hostile interaction between a player and a coach, referee or fan. --Field Level Media