[just another ref]

I heard a little while ago that the NBA had issued an apology for the bad call on the shot clock violation that really shouldn't have been in the Lakers-Nuggets(?) game.
The only thing strange about the shot clock violation is that they do not routinely reset the clock when (insert your favorite superstar's name here) is the one to shoot the airball and thus ignore the violation like they do all other violations. Kobe drove the lane early in the game tonight and put in a nice shot with the left hand after an obvious foot shuffle which was noted both before and after the replay, much to no one's surprise. Earlier this week I heard an announcer note (happily?) how Lebron James was becoming a member of the no-call club. Highlight: Drive, hesitate, CARRY, penetrate into the lane, pivot, TRAVEL, finger roll, score. The skills of these players are certainly to be admired, but would they be less admirable if they were forced to play somewhat within the rules. The way I see it, the "tolerance" on violations has now trickled down through college and has a good foothold in high school, particularly in the bigger schools. And if all this was not enough, this fiasco Streetball on
ESPN adds even more fuel to the fire. Makes it much more difficult to explain to some 12 year old why the move that he practiced all week is very illegal.