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The Phoenix Suns are hurting: The NBA must FIX the officiating!

By Andrew Clark

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 26: Referee officials JB Derosa, Josh Tiven, and Nick Buchert discuss a play during the game between the Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic on December 26, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 26: Referee officials JB Derosa, Josh Tiven, and Nick Buchert discuss a play during the game between the Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic on December 26, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Phoenix Suns Devin Booker (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns Devin Booker (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Change the Rules

The last thing the league can do is to adopt new rules that clear up confusion.

One simple suggestion is adopting the European standard for goaltending: which is that there isn’t any once the ball hits the rim.

It makes the game a lot more fun and would eliminate a lot of the human judgement involved in deciding these calls.

The league should also consider getting rid of in-game flagrant fouls.

Yes, no one wants to see anyone get hurt, but the way that they decide between technical and flagrant is a super subjective practice. The implications of an extra possession and point in the game though is anything but subjective.

Let the league increase the penalties but do it after the game where more objectives calls can be made without impacting the in-game experience.

dark. Next. Would you be upset if the Phoenix Suns stood pat?

While “the Jordan Rules” didn’t stop Michael Jordan from complaining, the Phoenix Suns have long been subject to poor officiating and it only seems to be worse now that they are such a young team and young players never seem to get the benefit of the doubt anyway.

If the NBA would be willing to put in the effort to fix officiating and fix the product on the court in this manner, it would only help the Suns in the long run, but then any young team in the future who might have the talent to compete, but because they don’t fit into the league-appropriate age range for respect, they aren’t suddenly left out in the cold.

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