The NBA just dropped its Points of Emphasis for the 2026-27 season, and one section is already blowing up: the off-arm push-off by offensive players. This move, popularized by absolute ballers like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jaylen Brown, has become a staple in modern basketball, creating space but also a huge headache for defenders, and the league is finally ready to crack down.
Redick’s Receipts: A Coach’s Crusade Against the Push-Off
Honestly, this crackdown probably wouldn’t be happening without Lakers Head Coach JJ Redick. The man has been in the league’s ear about this issue for a minute. He told reporters during training camp that after a game last season, he straight up sent Monty McCutchen, the NBA’s senior vice president of referee development and training, twelve clips. Twelve! All showing instances where the off-arm push-off was used *against* Los Angeles. “I just wanted an explanation because of how we teach our guys defensively,” Redick explained, miming the motion. “We teach a first bump, arms out, bump them with your chest. So if the offensive player is allowed to fully extend and shove off…” He pointed out that in those twelve clips from one game, it was called only once. Redick wasn’t the only coach sending in clips, apparently, but his voice clearly resonated. He stressed the balance: “We got to protect the offensive player, and we’ve got to also give the defense a chance.” The league, the refs, and the competition committee are clearly listening. They even showed two of Redick’s clips at a September meeting in Chicago with coaches and referees. Plus, Redick and the team had a “healthy” conversation with Hall of Fame referee Joey Crawford, who’s now an advisor, the week before training camp. This isn’t just a new rule; it’s a response to coaches demanding a fairer fight.
How Will Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves Adjust?
So, what does this mean for the Lakers, who boast offensive powerhouses like Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić? These guys are masters at creating space, and they’re definitely going to be under the microscope now. Reaves, when asked about it during training camp, was playfully hesitant to comment too much so he wouldn’t get in trouble. But here’s the kicker: he *agrees* that a full extension of the arm to create space should be an offensive foul. He even said it would be a correct call if it happened to him! That’s a huge admission from a player who benefits from those moves. However, Reaves also made a sharp point: there are other ways to create space that probably shouldn’t get a whistle. That’s the tightrope officials will walk this season, and it’s where the real challenge lies for guys like Reaves and Dončić. They’ll need to adapt their game, find those legal ways to get separation, and avoid those full arm extensions that are now firmly in the league’s crosshairs.
This season is going to be fascinating to watch. Will the officials be consistent? How quickly will players like Dončić and Reaves adjust their instincts? Every game will show us how this new emphasis plays out, and whether the balance Redick championed truly materializes on the court.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Silver Screen and Roll.
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