The NBA is set to implement a coach’s challenge system in the 2019-20 season on a trial basis to the delight of OKC Thunder fans and all fan bases.
The NBA Announced today that they will likely implement a coach’s challenge to the 2019-20 season on a trial basis. The NBA tried this during the NBA Summer League in the last offseason, along with the NBA G-League each of the last two seasons, and now it seems to be coming to the NBA. We’ve discussed previously how the OKC Thunder could’ve benefitted from this and how long overdue it was.
Each of the other four major sports leagues in the United States (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL) have a version of a coach’s challenge. Most, allow a coach to retain their challenge(s) if they challenge a call successfully. However, according to this memo sent to NBA teams and obtained by ESPN, even if a coach challenges a call successfully they will lose that challenge.
According to a memo sent to teams this morning and obtained by ESPN, the coach's challenge is likely coming to the NBA next season on a trial basis: https://t.co/h5l5Zrs9FR
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) June 28, 2019
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This rule change is long overdue, and I think eventually it will be revised to allow coaches to retain their challenge if they are successful.
The OKC Thunder are one team that could have benefited from coaches challenges throughout their entire history.
I mean, where do you even begin to discuss the multitude of ways that the ability to challenge a call could have improved the Thunder’s win total?
Ultimately, that is all that it would improve. Throughout an 82 game season, thing level out, and losing a game by a bad call hurts at the moment but wait a few nights and you will win a game off a bad call.
One of the most prominent moments that stick out in OKC Thunder fans heads when this report came out is that fateful night that Giannis Antentokumpo stepped out of bounds on a game-winner to top the 2017-18 Thunder squad immediately after Russell Westbrook nailed a cold-blooded three to tie the game.
Another one that pops into mind, from that same season, is Andrew Wiggins nailing a game-winner…with some help from the officiating. On this play, the refs missed a blatant illegal screen
While those plays OKC Thunder fans might have forgotten about or put in their rearview mirror, this has not just been a recent thing with the OKC Thunder. This next play is one no Thunder fan will ever forget. All you need to say it: 2012 Finals, Game two.
While it is fun to play the what if game, even with a Coach’s challenge, the NBA Officials will still be able to impact NBA games.
Let us know if you think that adding the ability for a coach to challenge a play is a big deal or no deal.