This was exactly my explanation on page 1. It's the same as a jump stop, he just happened to be going backwards instead of forward which is why it's throwing so many people off. I believe the NBA will issue a statement that they missed it and this thread can be closed.
I was led to believe that even a 5th grader knew it was a travel and that it's a clear travel on every level of basketball and an EASY CALL.
No - only an imbecile if you fail to see that his right foot is the first foot that is down after his dribbling has ceased. If you (or heypartner) want to argue that he's continuing to dribble, and that the left foot step back is the first foot down, then it's the wrong call. The call should have been discontinue dribble for double handling the ball. But that can't be the call because the ball never goes back towards the ground from the moment his right foot is established (making it his pivot foot). I don't care what Javie says. I also referee basketball. I've never refereed NBA level, so he's all over me there. However I do know the travel rule, and it is possible that Javie is wrong on this occasion (as many others suggest he is) The right foot is the pivot foot. It is quite obvious.
It does - because he's gathered the ball already, and so that is "1". Picture this, he slowly lumbers left and forwards onto his left leg (around the defender), then slowly lumbers right and forward back onto his right foot. Travel. We all know it because he gathered the ball on his right foot, making it his pivot foot!
ClutchFans: where everyone is everything. I used to ref middle school and games during the lockout for the nba players locked out of the league. Take it from a specialist. It was not a travel.
This obviously shows that the NBA care about integrity. I remember when the Rockets were once screwed by the officials and they revi... oh wait, no they never did. But at least they apologi.. oh wait. Nevermind. They didn't do that either. Oh, I remember now. I think when JVG called out the officials Stern fined him 250k. I wonder why Stern isn't coming out with a statement telling everyone to go screw themselves this time?
NBA rule: If Wade doesn't take 3 steps after his dribble, and before shooting the ball, then I need an eye check. I can't see how else one can understand "two steps in coming to [...] passing [...] the ball"? The NBA claim their interpretive stance is just a clarification of the standard travelling rule, which states Again, just because it isn't always enforced doesn't mean this is wrong. I'm flabbergasted that you're so obstinate about it not being a travel?
DrNuegebauer, You're arguing with Steve Javie...not us anymore. And you are quoting a different rule book than the NBA's and won't even provide the link to it, so we can see your source. As Shaud says, just agree to disagree. My interpretation and Javie's says the right foot was not a pivot foot according to the language of the NBA's rule book. And I can agree that the description in the "standard rule" that you cite could be used to interpret it as being the pivot foot...thus a travel. But what rule book are you citing? Is that YMCA, HS, NCAA or FIBA?
Not sure if I saw it right. I just don't see the connection here. Do you have a video that shows Hakeem taking two steps after gathering the ball off the dribble -- on a post move, not a running layup? My understanding of the Dream Shake has been that you "shake" with the pivot foot already planted. No more "two steps." Am I right?
Can't wait to see what conspiracy inspired excuses Heat fans will have for tonight. Go anyone but the front-running, bandwagonin' Heat!
The series was tied 2-2 last year also. It takes a little while for the Heat to get motivated. And even if they do lose game 5 at home, like they did last year against Boston, I still think they win the series. No worries.
Dang, it's pretty hilarious to still see people saying it was a travel when an *actual* NBA referee (someone who made a living judging plays like this) disagrees. Yeah, ok, I'm inclined to believe an actual ref before someone on an internet forum lol. Step back wasn't a travel, shuffle of the feet on the pump fake was however.
You do know it was ruled as a travel by the active NBA referees in the first place, right? I don't know much about NBA rules, but since there are so many people debating it, I guess it is a controversial call and could go both ways.
