PARIS (George Eddy's International Show) - We've finally been heard! NBA commish Adam Silver has announced the league will look into rule changes this summer to try and limit the "Hack-a-poor free throw shooter" tactic that is being used more and more by coaches de try and get an edge.

This tactic is an eye-sore for fans and makes somes games outright boring and unwatchable which is contrary to the NBA's raison d'etre. Watching brick-laying centers like DeAndre Jordan, Dwight Howard and Andre Drummond shoot between 20 and 30 free throws in a game is spectator torture and adds nothing to the game despite what Mark Cuban says. If he had Drummond on his team he might find the tactic less intrigung!

After lobbying with others to get the NBA to re-think the question, this is darned good news! Extend the same rule used in the last two minutes which gives a free throw and possession of the ball to the player intentionally fouled away from play is a simple and practical solution which would quickly eradicate the problem. Even coaches like Gregg Popovich who use the tactic say they don't like it and it's bad for the game! Teams can still foul poor free throw shooters when they have the ball so this change wouldn't limit their tactical arsenal that much. After limiting "back-to-backs", the league is on a smart path as we now wait for a future solution for tanking!

Maybe some teams that tank would like to make some trades before the deadline on February 18 but they are not the most likely candidates to get something done. Same thing for the four best teams up to now. The Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers will pretty much stand pat even though Cavs guard Mo Williams looks like he needs a change of scenery.

Cleveland is more concerned right now with improving their play as coach Ty Lue is confronted with some of the same problems as his former boss David Blatt. A salary dump trade is always a possibility for all these teams which are paying the luxury tax but they won't mess with their good chemistry by doing anything too risky.

It appears that the Warriors were interested in Orlando's three-point shooting center, Channing Frye, who would be a good fit for their style. A team like the Thunder is a lot more concentrated on keeping Kevin Durant than on making any trades right now!

The teams more likely to make a bold move are the second-tier teams that could move up to contender status with a smart deal. I'm thinking of the Boston Celtics which have ideal financial flexibility and numerous draft picks to trade because they really need a stronger center. Someone like Howard, DeMarcus Cousins, Al Horford , Pau Gasol or even rising African star Gorgui Dieng.

The Houston Rockets will listen to propositions concerning Dwight because he's expensive and injury-prone. They are a disappointing team up to now but they are also the type of athletic adversary that no one in the West wants to meet in the first round of the playoffs.

It would be surprising to see Sacramento part with Cousins who is their only solid cornerstone for a not-so-bright future, but the Kings are full of surprises, so you never know.

The Los Angeles Clippers are listening to teams interested in Blake Griffin because it's obvious that they play better when Griffin and Chris Paul are not together on the court vying both for alpha-dog status. With Griffin out with a silly injury after punching a friend and Paul and the Clips winning handily with a small-ball lineup, Doc Rivers might feel it's time to make a bold move if the trading price is right for Blake. Other Clippers are on the trading block but are there any takers?

The Chicago Bulls have some prickly dossiers to treat because both Gasol and an injured Joakim Noah are in the last year of their contracts and therefore free to leave at the end of this season. The Bulls could be tempted to trade one of them in order to be sure to get something back on their investment. Derrick Rose is struggling again this year while his team becomes Jimmy Butler's team but his max contract won't make him easy to trade.

Will teams like the Detroit Pistons (Brandon Jennings?) who say they are interested in making a trade get something done before the deadline?

We'll find out in 10 days' time!

George Eddy

FIBA

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