[dalmations202]

Let me rewrite the article.

Teams are changing to a more athletic type instead of more skilled because if they can find a marketable player, then the onus is on the officials to determine the outcome of the game. If a non-athletic type player with skills takes the ball into the lane then 90-95% of the time, the more athletic defender must not have touched him and he was blocked/flopping as he goes sprawling across the floor. On the other end, from behind the play the official knows that when the athletic type player goes to the goal, that he must have been fouled by the skill player 90-95% of the time.

This way, officials can keep the games close and develop rivalry between teams by their determination of what is a foul, and when a foul is called. This way causes some players to have to become jump shooters (shooting less % shots) or they will foul out, and other players to become Superstars because they are "tough" and get to the line all the time. They can also develop marketable players, and determine who is on the front page longest. This will make more money for the league, and allow for control of the games by the commissioners office/ officials.

After all, everyone is doing it. Welcome to the NBA.

Think about it --- if player A (skill player) goes to the basket three times in a row and on play one gets an offensive foul, play two gets it stripped with no call as people slap at the ball, and on play three gets it blocked and knocked silly with no foul called --- and on the other end player B (athletic player) takes the ball to the rim three times, and gets two and 1's and a foul called on player A on the defense on the other trip, then there was a 14 point possible difference in just three possessions. **** Now player A has to start shooting jumpers or the team doesn't score and he is in foul trouble, and player B just keeps driving because he is getting the calls. When it gets to lopsided the other way, just change the calls, and call Player B for an offensive foul, and let Player A get to the rim with an And 1. Game stays close, fouls are being called basically evenly -- everyone says you shouldn't criticize the officiating because it was called both ways. Fans pay big bucks to see close games with rivals, and seats sell out. Everyone happy, until we go to international competition and get killed by teams that play team ball, and they don't have the NBA officials to "keep the games close".