LeBron should benefit from NBA's changes

The objective is to give offensive players more freedom to move and score.
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
CLEVELAND -- Concerned about the continued drop-off in scoring, the NBA is changing some rule interpretations this season.
One of the biggest beneficiaries might be LeBron James.
NBA officials are briefing the teams that they'll be changing the way defensive fouls are called. The use of the forearm to hold off or restrict an offensive player's progress will be called a foul this season. Officials will be enforcing it from half-court to the three-point arc and on moves to the basket.
In addition, drawing a charge will become tougher as the defender must not be moving. Though that is a basic basketball rule, NBA officials in recent years have called charges as long as the defender has position. It allowed quicker players to sneak to a spot and take a charge while still moving.
The motive here is to give offensive players more freedom to move with the basketball and, thus, create more points.
"They told us at the coaches' meeting that the defender's arm has to be close to the body," Cavaliers coach Paul Silas said. "If you extend it, then tweet! A foul."
May help James
Silas, who is a defensive-oriented coach, doesn't exactly like the new guidelines, but it might help James, his best scorer.
James plays the wing position and gets most of his points going to the basket. One of the ways opponents tried to stop him last season was bashing him or trying to draw a charge as he made his move.
Players will be briefed on the new interpretations before their preseason game this week in Memphis.
"I think it will help the league. I think it will help defense, too, because people are going to have to move their feet more," James said. "Offensively, I think it will help a lot of us perimeter guys."
Eyes more free throws
Last season James often struggled to get calls in certain situations, which is common for rookies. He's hoping earning some respect along with the new guidelines will mean more trips to the foul line.
"You have to earn some respect in this league before you get calls," James said. "Of course, I'm going to want to get as many calls as I can."
Silas expects players in the league to adjust to the new rules but does think that it might make a minor impact.
"How are you going to stop [LeBron]?" Silas said. "If you put your hand out to stop him, it has to be a foul, and I'll make sure they enforce it."