Draymond excited shooters can't ‘cheat' system with new rules

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Steph Curry knows there will be some confusion for offensive-minded players with the NBA's rule change to eliminate foul-baiting techniques.

But former NBA Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green is excited the league is planning to clamp down on offensive players' ability to "cheat the system." If the NBA actually enforces it, that is.

"I think over the course of my 10 years -- going into my 10th year -- I've seen some point of emphasis not make it too far past the preseason," Green said Tuesday at shootaround prior to the Warriors' preseason game vs. the Los Angeles Lakers (h/t Anthony Slater).

"We'll see how long this one goes. But it's very funny seeing some of this s--t not get called. As a defender, that's exciting because, and I've spoken on it before, as a defender you feel like you can't do anything. Everything is tailored for the advantage to the offensive player. As a defender, it's exciting to me.

"I remember when the rules first came out we were on the bus to practice and I started yelling like, 'Yeah, motherf--kers! Y'all ain't getting away with that s--t no more.' ... At the end of the day, I think the skill in this league is probably at an all-time high, so guys are going to score the basketball regardless. But it does help to know that you will have more of a fair opportunity as a defender and guys can't just cheat the system. Because guys got really good at cheating the system. So, that's good to see."

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Curry told The Athletic's David Aldridge and Marcus Thompson II that there will be a "shock factor" for players initially as they adjust to the new whistle.

“I knew there was going to be kind of a shock factor to it, there was going to be some confusion, possibly frustration from the players’ perspective, because you’re so used to certain reads, and that muscle memory takes over,” Curry said. “. … Like [Monday] night, I did lean forward, the game in Portland, I leaned forward a lot. That’s kind of a judgment call, in terms of, is the defender truly stopping and still in legal guarding position, or am I the one truly initiating the contact?

"There’s going to be that gray area there. Obviously, I lost that conversation. The other ones where, as an offensive player, if you create the advantage, then I feel you should be able to use that, no matter what. Especially like the one-on-one situation where, if I get by somebody and then they’re out of control, they run into me, I should be able to take advantage of that. The one, like it’s in transition and you’re in open space and you’re just seeking contact, there’s no place in the game for that."

With the NBA season a week away, we are about to find out how big of a point of emphasis the league wants to put on eliminating foul-baiting techniques.

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