Originally on NBA.com NBA officials announced today at a NBA playoff conference meeting that they apologize for not announcing the new stipulation agreed on by the league officials prior to the Los Angeles/Minnesota series beginning. The new rule will be implied against any team opposing the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA 2003 playoffs. NBA officials proclaimed that last night was first of many officiating movements against playing too rough against the Los Angeles Lakers and their inferior players. Being too close or even attempting to steal or swat the ball from a Laker player will result in a foul no matter the severity of the contact whether a pinky or a whole arm. League officials have also been ordered to call fouls based on their own judgement if defenders are too close to Laker players....