What changed
The NBA has released its officiating points of emphasis for 2026–27, with examples covering offensive players using an off arm to create space, screens, movement on the perimeter and in the post, and straight-line drives.
The September 29 videos are narrated by Monty McCutchen, the NBA’s senior vice president overseeing referee development and training. They explain the situations officials are being asked to watch. These are points of emphasis; the announcement does not present them as a new rulebook.
For Mavericks fans, that makes preseason a useful time to watch the details of contact. When a defender gets caught by a screen or loses a driving lane, the positioning and physical interaction are worth noticing alongside the final result.
OUR INTERPRETATION
Why Dallas fans care
Our interest is how Dallas turns defensive intent into clean execution. A flexible coverage still needs defenders who can navigate a screen, stay connected and avoid giving away a foul. We’ll be watching those habits as the team’s defensive identity takes shape; this guidance alone does not tell us which player or coverage will benefit.