Small tweaks that, if called as promised, will have huge impacts.
5. Offensive players will be granted more natural movement with the ball
This is a point of emphasis that should allow for a freer game on both ends. Offensive and defensive players are allowed a certain amount of space to make natural, normal basketball moves. For the offense, a "normal basketball play" starts with either a shot attempt, a pass or a dribble. In a sentence: An offensive player should be able to make a move without having someone jamming up on them and restricting them.
"When you think about where the game has come in the past 25 years, in the post, the rules today are exactly the same as they were 25 years ago. And yet we've allowed more and more physical contact to happen, and that can't be acceptable. And what you're seeing from the rules committee is allowing offensive players the freedom to be able to allowed what they're able to do within the rules."
Collins said when teams trap or double team, fouls will likely go up as players and coaches adapt to the nuanced difference between resolute defense vs. completing impeding an offensive player's rightful space to make a basketball move. Defense is important, but smothering a player to the point of paralysis is no longer allowed.
This will likely have a huge negative impact on our baseline/sideline traps, again if called as described.
Agreed, this is going to take some time to get done, but it's the right direction in which to head. The fundamental concept here is "the player with the ball must expect to be closely guarded." The corollary is that all other players must be given 'time and distance" in which to move, which translates roughly to "a step." With regard to the comment about trapping, the defenders are going to have to give a little more room, and it'll be on the refs to decide who initiates the contact - which is often difficult in the first place.
Coaches are going to have to adjust their defensive philosophies, most notably on pick/screens. In the past they have generally taught the defender to fight through the screen, and not to switch until it's absolutely necessary. This creates a ton of contact, both on and off the ball. This has today, along with hedging, rendered the essential basketball play - the pick and roll - a historical artifact. Another factor in that is coaches screen high with players who have zero offensive skills out on the perimeter. Hell, they can't even complete the pick and roll footwork, let alone catch the dump pass and score a layup. We'll see where this goes.
Another interesting idea here is the "bunny hop" in point 3. The real problem is that the NBA allows it, and too many coaches and players - and especially almost all fans - are not smart enough to understand that the NBA and NCAA rule books are different. How many times have you seen a perimeter player catch a pass, while not facing the basket and with one foot clearly on the floor (by rule, that's immediately and clearly his pivot foot), then take two steps backward to get outside the arc, then frame up and shoot a 3. Well, that's a travel. And like the article says, it's a huge advantage to the offense.
And most assuredly, it's gonna take some time, and a real commitment on behalf of players, coaches and refs to make it all fly. Once again, we'll see.