A writer's work often reflects what he or she has been exposed to in life; experiences which are the groundwork of a poem or a story.
I don't know concretely if it's due to superstition, but any time a new rule is implemented into the NBA or a new piece of equipment or a new technology, there is always a transition and adjustment period by players and coaches and anyone involved with the game.
It must be a balance in everything we do, not too much of everything, keep it simple, not complicated.