Mike Bantom, the NBA’s Executive Vice President of Referee Operations, is cracking down on a very specific point of contention.
The issue at hand? Verticality.
Secondary defenders are permitted to challenge an oncoming offensive player so long as they stay “vertical.” However, according to a memorandum sent to all owners, general managers, coaches and officials over the weekend, there has been a noticeable increase of players bending, if not breaking, the rule.
We have noticed that defenders have been turning sideways when jumping to defend
an oncoming offensive player on drives to the basket. This is illegal and referees are
being instructed to call this a blocking foul.”
The memo contained links to videos showcasing examples of rule violators, including Spencer Hawes, Jonas Valanciunas, Greg Monroe and Jared Sullinger. It also contained one linked example of a slight turn which is deemed legal, as illustrated by Alexis Ajinca.
In addition to those addressed in the memo, Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert was also a recipient.
Got a league memo out for my ass. My “Str8 Ups” gotta be on point. I see a lot of bigs doing the str8… http://t.co/n3lYPtmydK
— Roy Hibbert (@Hoya2aPacer) April 2, 2014
If you’re wondering why Hibbert would receive the verticality memo, it may have a lot to do with a collision with four-time NBA MVP LeBron James in the most recent head-to-head matchup between the Pacers and the Miami Heat.
A few of Miami’s NBA sports writers called attention to that very possibility when the memo was first made public this past Monday.
Hmm, so league makes it official with memo to referees, coaches and GMs: Verticality isn’t all it was cracked up to be. Hibbert, hmm.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) March 31, 2014
The league is cracking down on verticality. Just sent out a memo to the media. Hibbert not cited on memo, but…. (1/1)
— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) March 31, 2014
Here is the LeBron/Hibbert video concerning “verticality” from last week. LeBron was called for flagrant on play: https://t.co/PCWbREc0hK
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) March 31, 2014
The video in Windhorst’s tweet has already been removed from YouTube, however here is another:
So, what does the rule actually state? When is a secondary defender within their right to challenge an offensive shot without committing a foul?
[Per the NBA memorandum:]
The Restricted Area and Verticality:
On a block-charge type play, a secondary defensive player cannot be in a legal guarding position, even if stationary, inside the “Restricted Area” if the offensive player receives the ball outside the lower defensive box — unless he jumps vertically in an
attempt to defend the shot. Therefore, even if positioned inside the Restricted Area, a secondary defender does not commit a blocking foul if contact is made while he is jumping vertically in an attempt to defend. The defender must, however, establish legal
guarding position prior to the start of the offensive player’s upward motion.
To be considered vertical, a defender must:
1. Be in the air to defend the shot when contact occurs. If the player is on the ground inside the restricted area, with his arms “vertical” when contact occurs, he will be assessed a blocking foul.
2. Maintain a vertical trajectory by jumping straight up. If the player jumps toward or to the side of an oncoming player, he will be assessed a blocking foul. A player may, however, angle his jump backwards slightly in such a way as to absorb the
impact of the oncoming player, and of course, he may land behind where he leapt from because of the force of the contact.
3. Maintain vertical alignment, with his body (arms, hands, torso, legs and feet) in a nearly straight line that is perpendicular to the floor. If a player leans his arms forward or “jack-knifes” his legs toward the oncoming offensive player, he will be assessed a blocking foul.
4. A player may not turn sideways (as discussed above). If he does, he will be assessed a blocking foul.
It will be interesting, in the few games left before the end of the season, to see how this application of the rule is applied in live games as the referees will need to have a tight reign on violators before the playoffs begin.
At least, for him and his team’s sake, Roy Hibbert is well aware of the issue and has his mindset to be “on point” in his defensive game.
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Michael writes the Tweet of the Day for SheridanHoops.com and is also a correspondent for BleacherReport.com. Follow @mbrumagin