Australian basketball legend Andrew Gaze says NBL rule changes regarding unsportsmanlike fouls have made the game a lot better despite controversy over some of the calls.
The changes and their interpretations by referees has generated plenty of debate through the first half of the NBL season.
Some calls have triggered a firestorm of reaction on social media, particularly one on Adelaide captain Brendan Teys inside the last 20 seconds of a close match against Melbourne last month.
The rules have been toughened to punish players perceived not to have made a genuine attempt to win the ball and who have have deliberately tried to stop play.
"I think it's made the the game a lot better game," Sydney Kings coach Gaze told AAP.
"I think there has been some anomalies where officials have made mistakes.
"The players, the coaches, you never get it 100 per cent right but they unfortunately carry a heavy burden because of the decisions they are making.
"They've made some mistakes in interpreting that particular rule but as far as the rule is concerned, I think it's a great rule."
"Taking away the opportunity for transition baskets and strategically using fouls particularly in that transition, I think detracted from the game.
"I think it's an appropriate rule, a rule that has made the game better, but of course when you see a howler every now and again, the whole rule comes under scrutiny which I don't think is fair.
"I'd hate to see us go back to where we can just grab someone, if you're not in a sound defensive position and you're just clearly using the situation to stop the play."
NBL chief executive Jeremy Loeliger this week acknowledged the rule changes had been one of the most contentious issues of the season so far.
"The intent of the new rule is to promote the flow of the game, particularly with respect to transition and fast break situations which can't be prevented by an illegal defender," Loeliger said.
"This is a new FIBA rule and like any new rule we need to give players, referees and fans time to adjust to it.
"Like everything we do, we will continue to review it and make a final judgement at the end of the season as to how that rule will be interpreted and applied next season"
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