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Mark Daigneault Believes Games Are Being Officiated Differently

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Thunder
By Rylan Stiles | Last updated 3/14/24

The Oklahoma City Thunder (45-19) have been one of the best teams in the NBA. Their success has been consistent throughout the year even as the sport changes around them.

After the All-Star Break, scoring is down around the NBA, fouls are down around the NBA and the style of play difference has been noticed around the association. There has been a budding question around the NBA on whether the refs are blowing the whistle differently.

"I would say I think the game is being called differently. The sharpness of decline [In fouls] would suggest that," Daigneault said, "I think practically there is really -no other explanation for that sharp of a decline."

Mark Daigneault believes the games are being called different post All-Star Break pic.twitter.com/RE2wbm1gcc
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) March 15, 2024

The Thunder bench boss went on to say "I would argue not only are teams not fouling but the game is more physical now. We just naturally adjust to the way the game has been called."

The Oklahoma City Thunder have not been on the wrong side of this with their superstar as much as the rest of the league asa Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is still averaging 7.6 free throw attempts per game compared to his season average of 8.8 freebies a game.

We will see if this trend continues throughout the season and the postseason, but it seems obvious the league wants to get defense back at the forefront of games by allowing more physicality.

This article first appeared on FanNation Inside The Thunder and was syndicated with permission.

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