NBA Traveling Article

[All_Heart]

Steve Kerr wrote this short article on traveling.

Have ball, will travel

By Steve Kerr, Yahoo! Sports
December 21, 2005

Watching games every night, I'm struck by the number of obvious traveling violations that go uncalled in the NBA.

Let me preface my complaint by saying that NBA referees do an outstanding job and that they have a thankless job. I don't think there's a game that is more difficult to officiate, and the league's referees are the best in the world.

But for some reason over the years, players have been given more and more leeway to move pivot feet in the NBA. Plays that would automatically be called traveling at any other level are now routinely let go, and it's hurting the game.

On Sunday night in Dallas, Minnesota's Troy Hudson took at least three steps – and maybe four – as he sauntered into the lane for a layup. While 18,000 Mavericks fans screamed for a traveling call, none was made. (In fact, Hudson's defender was called for a foul and Hudson completed a three-point play). It is a scene that is repeated about three times per game, by my count.

The NBA has the best players in the world. But allowing them to travel is an affront to the integrity of the game.

It's time for a change. If a player travels, call it!