NBA players adjusting to new delay of game rules

They may be able to break down defenders, set hard screens and throw down with the best of them but NBA players alike are having trouble doing one thing.... keeping their hands off the ball. At least, according to a feature in the New York Times.

This season the NBA has begun to crack down on players touching the ball after a made basket, the rule was put in place to prevent teams from slowing down the pace of the game and benefiting themselves on the defensive end. 

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich is certain that the delay-of-game rule could have a huge effect on the outcome of a game.

“It’ll bite somebody in the butt if they don’t concentrate in that area,” he told the newspaper.

Last week against the Charlotte Bobcats, New York Knicks forward Metta World Peace was the subject of three delay-of-game calls in a 102-97 loss, the 15-year veteran is unsure as to why the league has pushed for this change.

“It’s their league,” said World Peace. “It’s a hard adjustment for these guys making the rules because a lot of them have never played basketball. It’s like me trying to make rules for Microsoft or something.”