So you're saying there is justice in this world?

by Mike Prada on Jan 5, 2009 3:02 AM EST in Recaps Comment 31 comments

My first reaction to the referee's travel call on LeBron James was to turn to my brother and my cousin, give awkward high-fives and annoying repeat the phrase "They called a travel!" Partially because I couldn't believe it, partially because I wanted to rile up the Cleveland fans in front of me (okay, mostly the first one).

I won't lie, I didn't exactly come down from that high for a good 15-20 minutes. The game was so confounding, so nerve-racking, and in the end, the most unexpected call allowed the Wizards to hang on. It was definitely a little overwhelming being in attendance.

But once I did calm down, I couldn't help but come back to the reverse-credo that every point at any juncture in the game is worth the same. For 42 minutes, the Wizards dominated the Cavaliers. They were crisper, sharper offensively, more fundamentally-sound on the glass, whatever you want to call it. Six minutes, no matter how bad, rarely erase that. And even when it does, when you do everything possible to throw away the game, funny things happen that decide the outcome. For example, Delonte West missing that wide-open three from about the same spot he hit the dagger in Game 4 last year.

Most importantly, I have to go back to that travel. It was a travel, make no mistake. LeBron wants to justify it as a crow hop, which conveniently ignores that he took a full step before making his hop, then took at least one and a half more after making the hop. But was that travel so much more egregious that the ones that supposedly were uncalled in the playoffs? Was it much more egregious that this one? Yet this time, the travel was called and a comeback attempt was thwarted. That's all it took. That's all it often takes sometimes to win a close game. You can play so badly down the stretch and still come away with a win thanks to one somewhat-flukeish call.

The important thing for the Wizards to keep in mind is not necessarily improving their ability to play games in the final six minutes, but rather, it is making sure that whatever attention they delegate to improving their play down the stretch doesn't take away from maintaining their play in the first 42 minutes. Without those first 42 minutes, we aren't even in position to let a referee's traveling call decide the game.

Same story. Different result. Same lesson. Don't make too much of your struggles down the stretch. They matter, but not in spite of the other seven-eighths of the game.

0 recs | Comment 31 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Which always leads me back to the same feeling

that sometimes the NBA feels like professional wrestling.

by MR on Jan 5, 2009 7:35 AM EST reply actions 2 recs

Rec'd

And here is my take. If you are a superstar, then you shouldn’t need special treatment from the referees in order to help your team win a game. If you are a superstar, then your talent + skill + hard work should be what matters, not how often you can get away with breaking the rules of the game.

The fact that the NBA gives their superstars special treatment is a big reason why the NBA is considered a joke by so many sports fans that prefer leagues where everybody is expected to follow the rules of the game. Peyton Manning is not allowed to throw a forward pass with one foot in front of the line of scrimmage just because he is Peyton Manning. LaDainian Tomlinson is not allowed to put a knee down on the turf while being tackled and still get up and run for a touchdown just because he is LT. Randy Moss is not allowed to catch a ball while only getting one foot down in bounds just because he is Randy Moss. And that is a big reason why the NFL has 3 times the popularity of the NBA. You may not like what you see on the field, but you almost always feel that the game is called fairly. And that is why fans can hope that anything can happen on “any given Sunday”.

I can only wish that the NBA can someday realize that it is in its best interest to start calling games fairly no matter which player has the ball in his hands. For one play of one game only, we got to see it, and boy did it feel good.

And for the record, in case any fans of other teams are reading this, Caron Butler definitely traveled on his last basket against Cleveland in game 5 of the playoffs last year. He took three steps, no doubt about it. Even though I was glad it wasn’t called, I would much rather that they all get called. Two wrongs does not make a right.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Jan 5, 2009 8:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And here is my take. If you are a superstar, then you shouldn’t need special treatment from the referees in order to help your team win a game. If you are a superstar, then your talent + skill + hard work should be what matters, not how often you can get away with breaking the rules of the game.

Exactly.

I hate David Stern. Wish he’d retire already.

by MR on Jan 5, 2009 9:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

How many dribbles does a crab get?

From Wikipedia: Crabs are decapods—ten-legged omnivores—but the front pair of legs are specialised with enlarged claws, so they are often described as eight-legged.

If they are 8-legged creatures, then when LeBron does his “crab dribble” (LeKing swears it’s “legal move”) shouldn’t the Referees allow him 8 steps to the basket?

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Jan 5, 2009 8:33 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I’ll agree on the travel. But can any one here readilly admit that DeShawn Stevenson is more of a muppet than a basketball player?

http://www.waitingfornextyear.com

by scottsargent on Jan 5, 2009 9:20 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Maybe

If I knew what you are talking about.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Jan 5, 2009 9:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The fact that the guy offers next to nothing aside from running his mouth. He’s averaging under seven points per game, is shooting just over 30 percent from the floor and still finds that heckling from the bench (in a bow tie, nonetheless) a justifyable action?

The Wizards have desperately been looking for someone to step up in the absence of Gilbert/Brendan, and he should be a prime candidate. Instead, he’s making the Roger Mason loss look even worse. But will that stop him from running his trap? Not one bit…

http://www.waitingfornextyear.com

by scottsargent on Jan 5, 2009 9:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agree and Disagree

I agree he has been a major disappointment on the court. But he deserves the right to heckle LeTravel because of what his majesty said about DeShawn’s girlfriend, IMO. He simply doesn’t like the guy, and I get that.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Jan 5, 2009 9:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And James doesn’t like him. Do you see LBJ standing and yelling when he’s on the bench?

http://www.waitingfornextyear.com

by scottsargent on Jan 5, 2009 9:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No

He just takes Drew Gooden aside and talks shit about other people’s girlfriends. Much classier.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Jan 5, 2009 9:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

BTW

If DeShawn is such a bad player, then why do all the LeBaby fans cry about everything he says and does? Just ignore him, if you can. LeCrabDribble obviously can’t.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Jan 5, 2009 9:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That's the perfect name for the shirt!

LeCrabDribble, that’s it!

"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck

by George Templeton on Jan 5, 2009 9:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

We’ll just have to agree to disagree. Carry on with all of the nicknames…

http://www.waitingfornextyear.com

by scottsargent on Jan 5, 2009 9:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

When Your Favorite Team is 7-25

You have to learn to find joy in the simple pleasures in life. I’ll think of some more nicknames to carry me over until next season.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Jan 5, 2009 9:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sure...

DeShawn is a goofball that often masks as an idiot…….but at least he’s a sideshow at best, and not our best player…..oh wait, Gilbert Arenas.

What exactly are we talking about again?

Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net

by Truth About It on Jan 5, 2009 11:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If only you are talking about DeShawn's suit

"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck

by George Templeton on Jan 5, 2009 9:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I get it

After watching the video again, I think James is talking about a jump stop—one step and then landing on both feet before going up—which NBA refs allow. Clearly this was not that. This was two feet landing separately.

I think he’s forgotten the difference between steps and a legal play.

by MR on Jan 5, 2009 10:09 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

A Jump Stop

Should be called a travel, IMO, every time. The rule should be something like, “after picking up your dribble, the player should be allowed a maximum of two steps before releasing the ball from his hands,” or something like that. Taking a step and then jumping and landing on both feet constitutes as three steps, IMO. It should be called every time on everybody.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Jan 5, 2009 10:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't disagree but

That’s not the point I’m making. It is allowed in the NBA, right or wrong. When the feet come down together it isn’t called. This was not that.

But I honestly think James has forgotten what is a travel and what is not.

by MR on Jan 5, 2009 10:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

But That References My Point

What is called and what is in the rule book should never differ on a consistent basis. If the NBA wants to allow this, then they should change the rules. I’m not sure what the exact rule says, but I seriously doubt it defines a “jump stop” as a legal play or that taking three steps after picking up your dribble somehow follows the defined rule.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Jan 5, 2009 10:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, Maybe I'm Wrong

I researched this, found this link, and now I think I may be wrong. The rule appears under Section III-Dribble. It never defines number of steps or references a pivot foot. It simply, and very vaguely, states “a. A player shall not run with the ball without dribbling it.”

No wonder there is so much disparity in travel calls in the NBA. It must be up to the referee to decide what constitutes “running with the ball.” What a joke!

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Jan 5, 2009 10:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Question for you

Do you think anybody cares? Besides us, I mean.

This is an actual question, not rhetorical. I sometimes wonder if the average fan cares that there are superstar calls etc. I wonder if the NBA would be more popular if calls were more consistent. I really don’t know.

Amazingly, I actually consider stopping watching the NBA sometimes because it all seems so fixed at times. I quit MLB years ago because of the team salary situation and don’t miss it one bit.

by MR on Jan 5, 2009 11:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think inconsistent/suspect refereeing has started to impact the average fan

from the betting scandal to the dwayne wade free throw extravaganza finals a few years ago, i think there is a general sense among most fans who care enough to follow the league that something needs fixing.
i know i sometimes suspect that the whole thing is rigged, or at least could be easily rigged, given the fact that most calls are so subjective.

by little stevie colter on Jan 5, 2009 11:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree -

I am pretty much the only one left of my friends who even watches NBA basketball. Some of my friends have been turned off because of issues with age limits and other things that seem pretty trivial to me but mostly because of the fact that it is a superstar league with egos and arrogance to match. They still watch college basketball but just have no more interest in the NBA.

by ooba on Jan 5, 2009 12:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Every Professional League...

… is a “superstar” league depending on how you define that term. The difference is how each league tries to enhance their superstars. For example, when the NFL decided that it wanted to protect superstar quarterbacks, they voted on a rule change so that “roughing the passer” became an illegal play. That allowed truly gifted passers to have longer careers, no doubt. Some argued that this made the game worse off, but at least it was understood from the beginning and applied to all QBs fairly. It wasn’t like only the “superstar” NFL QBs got the roughing the passer call and the other ones didn’t. There was still a sense of fairness to it, unlike the “star treatment” the NBA gives out.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Jan 5, 2009 12:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

For me-

I accept that the superstars get the calls because I am used to it but I definitely don’t agree with it. I’m also sick of the media hype about people like Lebron. Do we really need 24 hours of lebron on his 24th birthday? If I never see lebron ever play again, I would be fine with that. I’m so sick of him because of the media and the endless hyping by them and the league. Tremendous player but enough already. He hasn’t even won a championship yet. I now only read a few basketball blogs and I avoid any opinion articles on espn and si because I can’t stand to read about these players and it’s making dislike the game.

by ooba on Jan 5, 2009 4:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

How can it be

that more has not been made of the Donahey disaster?

I thought that would be the event that led to a cleaning up of ref-ing. Instead all of the investigations were done in house and kept hushed up.

It’s a shame that the news media didn’t explore that more.

by MR on Jan 5, 2009 1:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I Care

Not as a Wizards fan, but as a fan of basketball in general. The Tim Donaghy scandal only reinforces what many fans have thought for a long time, and that is the NBA is at least partially rigged to allow teams to win that the NBA executives want to win to help make the league more money. And the whole “superstars get the calls” thing is what turns off many rabid NCAA basketball fans towards the NBA.

It is not that these fans don’t like basketball. They just don’t like NBA basketball. And frankly, I like the NBA despite the “jump hop” and the “superstars get the calls,” not because of them.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Jan 5, 2009 12:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

More Research

I found this which linked to this. Here is the bottom line:

Traveling:
To start a dribble after establishing a pivot foot, the ball must be released from the player’s hand before his pivot foot leaves the floor or he has committed a traveling violation. A player who receives the ball while moving is allowed a two count rhythm but must release the ball prior to the third step touching the floor. When ending his dribble a player may use a two count rhythm in coming to a stop, passing or shooting. A player who fall s to the floor while holding the ball or while coming to a stop may not gain an advantage by rolling on the floor. A player who attempts a shot may not be the first to touch the ball if it fails to touch the backboard, rim or another player. If a player comes to a stop on the count of one when both feet are on the floor or touch the floor simultaneously, he may pivot using either foot as his pivot. If he alights with both feet he must release the ball before either foot touches the floor. If a player has one foot on the floor or lands with one foot first to the floor, he may only pivot with that foot. Once that foot is lifted from the floor to shoot or pass it may not return until the ball is released. If a player jumps off one foot on the count of one he may land with both feet simultaneously for count two. In this situation, the player may not pivot with either foot and if one or both feet leave the floor the ball must be released before either return to the floor. When a player gathers the ball he may not step consecutively with the same foot, as in a hopping motion.

Even with this more clearly defined, what LeBron did is still a travel, IMO. He did not land simultaneously with both feet, just look at the replay. He landed on one foot, then put the other foot down while still moving toward the basket. But at least now I can see more clearly where LeBron is coming from. This rule needs to change, IMO. No more “jump stops”, this would be clearly called a travel in high school or the NCAA. Let the player take two steps after picking up his dribble, period.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Jan 5, 2009 12:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

There is no "IMO"

This rule explanation even more clearly states that what he did was not legal.

If a player jumps off one foot on the count of one he may land with both feet simultaneously for count two.

It was clearly not a simultaneous landing.

by MR on Jan 5, 2009 12:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

LeBaby Would Argue

That it was a “simultaneous” landing, since when viewed at regular speed and not slow motion, his other foot landed a split second after the first. And that is why all “jump stops” should be banned. Why split hairs about what the meaning of “simultaneous” is? Allow a player two steps, period. Allow him to hop only if he dribbled right before hopping. A hop should equal two steps, since both feet come down. This whole explanation of a “two count rhythm” is ridiculous, IMO.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Jan 5, 2009 12:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs