Traveling, yes or no?

[Dan_ref]

Originally posted by Joefan99
Chuck,

Then what is the difference between the A) and B) example then? A player gains control of the ball on the court and is allowed to roll or slide with the ball due to momentum, and it not be a traveling violation. However, you can't grab a ball in the air and fall back with the ball in your hands due to contact from a player in front of you and the momentum of reaching backward?

To me, the rule isn't clear for the situation. If the player had difficulty coming down and landing of his feet due to being crowded by the player in front of him, then it shouldn't be a traveling violation. The player behind has a much right to the ball as the player in front, and if the guy fell back into him, wouldn't that be a violation of his vertical plain?

Read it this way Joe:

A player while on the ground who then controls (holds) the ball may slide due to momentum...blah blah

A player who falls to the floor while holding (not dribbling) the ball has travelled.

As for the contact involved, there is such a thing as incidental contact. Obviously the refs workng the game decided neither player made illegal contact (or maybe they blew the call? ).