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Message to Adam Silver: If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It

By Matthew Medley

June 2, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks to media before the Golden State Warriors play against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game one of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
June 2, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks to media before the Golden State Warriors play against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game one of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 6, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) attempts a free throw during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) attempts a free throw during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Can’t Make a Free Throw? The League Has Your Back.

Guys like Hassan Whiteside, Andre Drummond, DeAndre Jordan and Dwight Howard were liabilities to their team in crucial situations because of their poor free throw shooting. Now they get a pass.

The rule change may save the players and fans some agony, but a complete team and a complete player has to be great in every phase of the game, including free throw shooting.

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If the Clippers can leave Jordan on the floor for two or three more minutes than they might otherwise have played him under the old rules, that could be the difference between winning and losing a playoff series.

Why reward players who are already so dominant in areas like rebounding and low-post scoring? Players who don’t shoot well from beyond-the-arc don’t get the benefit of moving in two feet closer to get the basket to count for three points.

Players who can’t dunk don’t get the rim lowered a foot to help them out. It seems ridiculous to help these guys out when they already dominate other areas of the game because of their size and strength. Every player and every team has its flaws.

If that player or team is flawed when it comes to free throw shooting, they should have to work through that, not be assisted by the league.

Along with the change to the intentional foul policy, Commissioner Silver indicated some future changes that caused many to scratch their heads.

Next: The Need To Balance The Competition