The NBA is set to implement a new rule known as the “Max Strus Rule” as a result of last season’s playoff controversies in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat.
On Friday, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported that the NBA is working on the implementation to alter the timing of the release of Reviewed Shots. The timing change will be announced as soon as the Replay Center confirms the call, or at a neutral time.
It was also confirmed by the NBA that the scorer’s table would be illuminated with blue lights to make the upcoming score change after the Reviewed Shots.
So a blue light will illuminate along scorers' table to let those watching know a scoring change is forthcoming. Basically, the NBA now has a "Max Strus Rule." https://t.co/6BoK8AARfD
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) September 23, 2022
According to NBA rule, Reviewed Shots may be looked to as an instant replay review when the umpire cannot be “reasonably certain” to decide whether a basket made was a two-point or three-point shot.
Then, the NBA Replay Center could review the video to determine whether the team scored two or three points and decide if the scorer committed a violation, such as stepping out of bounds during the play.
Strus’ controversial three-point call
The famed Strus controversy occurred during Game 7 between the Celtics and Heat where Strus shot a three-pointer to reduce the score gap to 56-54 for the Celtics at 11 minutes remaining in the third quarter. His three points attempt had been ruled out by the umpires and the shot was invalid.
The Heat were trailing the Celtics 65-57 with Strus making his three-point shot. However, the scoreboard suddenly went to 67-54 by the officials’ decision. They were defeated by the Celtics by four points, 102-98, with Jimmy Butler missing a three-point attempt in the final 20 seconds.
According to Winderman, the timing of the score-changing announcement was handicapped for the Heat and ruined the play in the third quarter for both team and the fans. Winderman asserted that the NBA’s decision to change the rule could improve similar situations in the future.
Take-foul rule change
In regards to the change, NBA senior vice resident of referee development and training Monty McCutchen said that the rule change would improve the game, especially in defense. This reportedly was the main topic for referees being discussed together this week as they gathered for their preseason meetings before the NBA training camps in near future.
“Our best game in the NBA is defensive basketball. We don’t want to discourage it; In fact, we think this rule will encourage it because we’re now asking you to make a legitimate play on the ball,” Monty said.
“From that point of view, we think more exciting basketball is on the horizon and these transition scoring opportunities – both defensive and offensive – can be the highlight plays. We have lost some of that and we think that this rule will make that exciting game possible. is going to bring us back into the game.”
According to NBA rules, take foul is described as an event that occurs either “during a transition scoring opportunity or immediately following a change of possession and from giving the offensive team a chance or move the ball first” and the rule’s exception is in the fourth quarter or the last two minutes of overtime.
McCutcheon claimed that the proposed rule change would be a minor one.
“It’s going to be a small change,” McCutcheon said.