Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images The Spurs are usually successful with their coach’s challenges, but they could use it more often. A few years ago, the NBA created the “Coach’s Challenge”: a rule that allows coaches to challenge a perceived incorrect call at any point in the game. If they are successful, they keep their timeout and retain the right to challenge one more call in the game; if they are unsuccessful, they lose their timeout and cannot challenge again. This season, most of the league’s challenges have come in the fourth quarter, with a 51 percent overturn rate. But most calls are getting changed in the third quarter (67.1 percent). The most common situation that gets rescinded is the out-of-bounds play at 76.6 percent, per NBA Official, which has data up to Jan. 19. On Friday, the NBA Recap pod posted on the frequency and success of challenges. While some information has changed, it would still be good homework for NBA fans because it is valuable to know how things were shaking up until that point. View this post on Instagram A post shared by NBA Recap (@nbarecappod) As shown above, the San Antonio Spurs are successfully overturning poor referee decisions 69.6 percent of the time: slightly above league average. Unless something egregious happens in the first half, the Spurs are usually saving their opportunity for dispute until the second half. Yet, despite a decent success rate, Mitch Johnson may not use them enough, with only 23 challenges in 41 games (2 of which were used by Gregg Popovich in the five games he coached). Lately, the Spurs have four successful challenges between Jan. 4-8, which ties their longest streak set between Oct. 26-Nov. 6. They also got two calls overturned on Nov. 11 in the win against the Kings, and two in the loss on Jan. 6 in Chicago. Furthermore, the Spurs have a higher success rate in the third quarter (83 percent) than the fourth (54.5 percent). So the question is, why aren’t they using it more? Perhaps they can improve their communication with the refs by hiring an assistant who used to be on their side. Former NBA officials understand the key terminology. This assistant would have to be quick on the draw, as too many coaches lose valuable seconds because they have to look at the bench for advice. (There is a precedent for this: ex-NFL coach and Super Bowl champion Bruce Arians with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had an officiating consultant, Larry Rose, on his staff.) For example, what is and is not a foul on a three-point attempt can be hazy at times. Considering how the public is guaranteed to see defenders foul multiple three-point attempts in every game, having a liaison with a supreme understanding of the rules and points of emphasis could possibly help the Spurs save a few points from time to time. To boot, a hire like this would help because Johnson and the staff need extra encouragement to use them more often. They’re good at using their instincts and not just going off players’ emotions, so why not?