Adam Silver’s “Weird” Rule Cost Lakers’ Exit From NBA Playoffs, Claims Mark Jackson

The NBA officiating during the playoff season has been somewhat inconsistent and has caught a lot of flak from everybody. Charles Barkley was overly critical about the timeouts and mistakes after the coach’s challenge that may have cost the Los Angeles Lakers Game 5. The series has ended with the Denver Nuggets advancing to the next round but all everyone is talking about is the What If scenario regarding the timeout situation.

Meanwhile, another ex-NBA star, Mark Jackson, who also has been a coach with the Warriors had this to say about the issue. Jackson was recently on an episode of ‘Come And Talk 2 Me’ with his son, Mark Jackson Jr., aka Bluu, where he shared his narrative. Bluu asked his father for some clarity on the rule. “I’m tripping but I watched the end of the game and the Lakers won a challenge and then still proceeded to lose their timeout what is this rule what’s going on?”

The new rule states that teams will not regain a timeout when using a second challenge, even if the challenge is successful. Adam Silver, the Commissioner of the NBA has been at the forefront of changed rules. Mark Jackson said,” Lakers was down to one(timeout) they had to use it so they can’t get it back just a weird rule that I don’t agree with.”

“I think it’s an unfortunate rule and maybe something that the NBA, the league, and the competition committee revisits uh in the offseason. But it’s unfortunate um just a weird rule that worked against the Los Angeles Lakers in a crucial moment.” The 59-year-old said on the Podcast. It was also an intense discussion when they started debating league rules on Inside the NBA.

Shaq and Barkley once again have contradictory opinions

“You made the mistake and I got screwed by your mistake, that doesn’t seem right,” Barkley said and Kenny agreed. The Inside the NBA crew argued about that incident after the game ended 108-106 in Denver’s favor. “If you win a challenge and you lose a timeout, that doesn’t seem fair to me,” Barkley said. “I don’t understand why they win the challenge but lose the timeout. I want clarification.”

Interestingly, he has Kenny Smith on his side but the Doctor ain’t letting this one slide. The resident big man, Shaquille O’Neal is a stickler for the rules. Shaq called it, “The letter of the law.”

What do you think? Should there be any changes in rules going forward?