[just another ref]

Originally Posted by so cal lurker

I've never understood why that isn't considered a dribble. But it isn't.

And then, to me, it gets metaphysical. If it bounces, it's a dribble, right? And is it possible to put down the ball without some bounce? So how much bounce before it becomes a dribble instead of a travel?

The key word here is "put." In the case above the player is said to "put" the ball on the floor. In the start of a dribble the player is said to "push the ball to the floor." This indicates a bounce.