The NBA will implement a coach’s challenge during Summer League play in July and anticipates introducing the rule for the 2019/20 regular season, according to a league memo obtained by ESPN’s Zach Lowe.
Here’s how the new rule is expected to work, according to Lowe:
- Coaches will get one challenge per game, whether or not it’s successful.
- Called fouls, goaltending, basket interference, and out-of-bounds plays are the only calls that can be challenged. Uncalled fouls can’t be challenged.
- Coaches must have a timeout available to use a challenge, and must use that timeout immediately after the call they want to challenge.
- If the challenge is successful, the team will get its timeout back. If not, it will be lost.
- The crew chief for that game’s referee crew will make the final call on challenges involving fouls. All other challenges will be decided by the NBA’s Replay Center.
As Lowe explains, the NBA has tested the challenge system in the G League over the last two years. The league plans to introduce it on a trial basis for the 2019/20 season “as part of a one-year pilot program,” per Lowe.
However, before it can become official, the NBA’s Board of Governors will need to approve it. According to Lowe, that vote is expected to take place on July 9, and would require support from at least two-thirds of the league’s teams. The NBA expects the rule to be passed, Lowe notes.
Good luck in getting called fouls overturned. The other examples are things that can be easily looked at and reversed in a matter of seconds.
Harden’s not going to be happy. LOL!
You can’t challenge a non-call on traveling? That’s unfortunate.
That challenge would work every time!
I think teams should be allowed an unlimited amount of time outs and challenges in the last two minutes of a game. Taking 40 minutes to play 120 seconds isn’t enough; let’s slow it down some.
I’d give them 3 a game (not counting successful ones), on the condition that any complaining about a call that can be challenged (by coach, player, etc.) is an automatic ejection, and a second ejection results in a 5 game suspension.
The “put up or shut up” clause!
What is the point of having a challenge if you only get one per game regardless of the result? Coaches are going to have to save it in case it is needed at the end of the game. They should make it that if you are successful in a challenge, then you don’t lose it. All this says is that if you point out the officials made a bad call, then you don’t get to do it again.
Right now no video replay crew is involved. If one does become required, could the NBA PLEASE, PLEASE test the employees for observational competence before hiring? Listening to TV announcers, it is clear that there are those who do not know how to investigate. For instance a ball that changes its rotation in mid-flight touched something.
There should also be standards to allow refs can go take a look on their own.