NBA Players Who Changed The Rules. The game of basketball does not standstill. Several rules were altered because of players in the NBA as it evolved in years past. James Naismith probably thought that the majority of rules would remain the same when he created this sport many years ago.

NBA players are responsible for what rule changes? A total of more than 40 rules have been altered over the existence of the NBA – the world’s greatest basketball league. Some of the largest names on this list include Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Reggie Miller, Allen Iverson, and many more.

It is fair to say that the players we discuss in this article have had a considerable impact on the NBA. I want to talk about them largely because of the changes in rules they brought.

The Hack-A-Shaq Rule

Without a doubt, Shaq was one of the greatest centers in NBA history. It was done the moment he stepped into the paint – he would destroy anyone in the lane. His career caused the NBA to pay extremely close attention to the courts he played on as he was known for breaking backboards (he broke many during his career). Teams who opposed Shaq used the Hack-a-Shaq rule to foul him even if he didn’t have the ball in his hands. Unfortunately, Shaq was a poor free-throw shooter, which led to him missing a majority of them. Following Shaq’s retirement, Gregg Popovich used this tactic more frequently.

In 2016, the NBA altered the rule so that if a player who is without the ball is fouled, his team receives two free throws and possession of the ball in the final two minutes of a quarter. Due to the prolonged match duration, the rule change was necessary. 

Charles Barkley Rule

A dominant player in his prime, Charles Barkley was also similar to Shaq. Despite not winning the championship, Barkley ranked amongst the best of his generation. Barkley’s agility, strength, and flexibility allowed him to force his opponents back into the paint and shoot the ball. This could be done for as long as 20 seconds. As a result, the league decided to make changes, and currently, no player can perform such a maneuver for more than five seconds.

Reggie Miller Rule

The ball was thrown reliably from any distance by Reggie Miller, one of the best shooters in basketball history. While also being a superb shooting guard. When he shot, he sometimes moved his leg to create contact with the opposing players. In this way, Miller would draw a lot of fouls while shooting from distance. An offensive foul was given to an attacking player in 2012 if a player kicked a leg while shooting.

Zaza Rule

Though it is today commonly referred to as the “Zaza Rule” (Golden State Warriors center Zaza Pachulia injured Kawhi Leonard by stepping on his foot in 2017), Bruce Bowen was the person to lay the foundation for such a rule. He was an outstanding defender who regularly faced top-level shooters, but at the same time, he often used dirty tactics, which caused injuries. During the NBA season, the league decided to introduce a rule that requires players to be able to land safely after shooting.

Allen Iverson Dress Code

Among his many talents, Allen Iverson was one of the best. Despite the fact that this rule has nothing to do with gameplay, he played a crucial role in forcing the NBA to change its dress code. His style of presentation was often hip-hop, which was considered unprofessional. As a result, the NBA introduced a dress code – players were required to wear formal clothing both before and after games. As for Iverson, he disagreed with the rule, stating that the appearance of a player had no bearing on his character. 

Wilt Chamberlain Rule 

Chamberlain was one of the best players of all time. One of the most athletic players in NBA history, he still holds the record for the most points scored in a single game (100). Numerous rules had to be changed because of him. He would first take free throws by touching the board and then jumping over the line to the basket. In essence, it is similar to an alley-oop, which is a common move in the NBA today. In the current system, free-throw lines cannot be crossed when shooting.

He also changed the rules regarding offensive goaltending. In the current era, players can perform breathtaking alley-oops.

Dikembe Mutombo Rule

Over 3,000 blocks were made by Dikembe Mutombo in his career, making him one of the greatest defenders of all time. A swaggering finger is a common taunt Mutombo would make whenever he blocked opposing players. The league determined that such behavior would result in an immediate technical foul – regardless of whether the player blocked a shot or not, as it is considered taunting the opponent.

Rasheed Wallace & Honorable Mentions

The rule change is not directly related to Rasheed Wallace, but the NBA changed it when he was at the top. In a regular-season game, a player who accumulates 16 technical fouls gets a one-game suspension. As for the playoff games, the number of technical fouls allowed is 7.

There were even more players who influenced the rules both on and off the court. Among those we can mention are Caron Butler, Marck Jackson, Trent Tucker, and George Mikan. 

NBA Players Who Changed The Rules

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