[JRutledge]

What does exactly do you think "Has the ball" mean?

If you are dribbling you have the ball right? It also says, "In the official's judgment" right?

Also the usage of the term "gather" is philosophy based as well. It is a way to decide when someone is doing something with the ball and to be consistent. Because even in the definition you mentioned, there was a picture in the S & I book that showed a sequence of when to call a shooting foul. Now that is for interpretations to be shown with pictures. And I have always considered the gather and was taught by others that when a player stops their dribble, they are gathering the ball. He stopped his dribble in this play and what the hell else is he planning on doing with the ball?

Peace