NBA approves new rules for next season

So, what are these rule changes and what do they mean for games this year? Let's dive in. 

1. In-Game Flopping Penalty

This season NBA officials will be able to assess flopping penalties to players as they occur during a game. 

Flopping, defined by the league as "a physical act that reasonably appears to be intended to cause the officials to call a foul on another player," will now result in a non-unsportsmanlike technical foul and one free throw for the opposing team. 

The NBA first took official "anti-flopping," measures in 2012, when they announced warnings and fines for players if the league deemed an incident a flop after the fact. While this discouraged players from trying to fool referees via their wallets, this rule change attempts to do so by immediately impacting games.

Fans shouldn't worry about this rule slowing the game down too much or players flopping strategically to stop scoring chances, as referees don't have to stop play immediately to make the call. Instead, the rule is similar to playing advantage in soccer, where officials can use their discretion and wait until "the next neutral opportunity."

With punishments for flopping now costing teams points as opposed to individuals' money, this rule should help cut down on players trying to get calls and improve the watchability of the sport as they focus on just playing the game. 

The NBA said the rule will be implemented on a year-by-year trial basis, so could be gone for the 2024-25 season.  

2. Coaches Challenged Expanded

The other change the league is making for this season is allowing coaches to challenge a second call if their first challenge in a game is successful. 

Coaches must still use a timeout to challenge a call, but this rule allows teams to use a challenge earlier in games if they wish without worrying about an incorrect call of greater magnitude happening in crunch time. 

But with teams losing their second challenge if their first one is unsuccessful they should still be judicious with the calls they choose to contest. This should prevent excessive challenges early in games that would slow down the pace of play and likely bother fans but still increase the overall number of correct calls made over the course of the season.