The video above is an intentional foul — Chris Paul jumped on the back of Dwight Howard. The same thing has happened to Andre Drummond.
Is it a flagrant foul?
The Boston Celtics tweeted this out on Sunday.
Stevens says he received e-mail from NBA saying that if a plyr jumps on another plyr's back for intentional foul, it'll be called Flagrant 1
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 7, 2016
The NBA was quick to let people know that this is just something under consideration — there has been no change in the rules. This may well be where the league is headed, but it’s not there yet.
The NBA defines a flagrant foul as “unnecessary contact committed by a player against an opponent.” To me, leaping on a player’s back like that qualifies. (A flagrant two foul is “unnecessary and excessive contact” and leads to an ejection; this is not that.)
Jared Dudley — one of the more vocal players on union issues — added a good point.
Since we're in the subject! I think it's crazy that the @NBA can make a rule without even discussing it with the players. No input at all
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) February 7, 2016
We have a Competition Committee with no one that actual is in competition on the floor.Does that makes sense?Should have at least 3 players
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) February 7, 2016
Consider this part of the coming changes on the intentional fouling rules period. But this one tweak could come much faster.
