Quote:
Originally Posted by IUgrad92
I think I already answered, but yes, the defender has a right to land. If he doesn't have that right, aren't we not putting that player's safety at risk? Any player in the air is vulnerable, doesn't matter if a ball is in his hands or not. Making intentional contact with that player before that player lands is dangerous and should not be rewarded.
|
This is where you're wrong. A defender doesn't have the right to land if doing so takes away from the opponents right to perform their actions.
The rules on airborne players are in relation to "guarding". They protect offensive players from being guarded illegally. They don't protect defensive players.
The defender has the responsibility to play defense within the guidelines of legal guarding. Jumping laterally is not within those guidelines. The only jump that is protected for the defender is a vertical jump.
This defender was moving but never had LGP. Even if he had LGP, jumping sideways and towards the shooter removes the protection of LGP. Any contact that happens is the responsibility of the defender.