Years ago, when I played high school and small time college basketball...if you had the ball and slipped and fell to the court, it was a traveling violation.

Now, if you fall down, you can slide around and try to get the ball to a team mate.

When did this rule change?

If you have control of the ball and are standing up, it is traveling to touch the floor with anything other than your hands or your feet.
Note, "If you have control" of the ball.

If you fall with the ball, it's still traveling. But if you dive for a loose ball and slide after gaining control on the ground, there's no violation.

thanks chuck.

Although I still think back in the day, you would be called anytime you moved around on the floor with the ball (sliding included)

There's still restrictions on what you can do when you get the ball on the floor. If you're momentum causes you to slide, that's fine. But once you've stopped, or if you are already stopped, then you cannot roll over or attempt to get up. If you're on your back, however, you can sit up as long as you don't otherwise move.

Don't move that pivot cheek :D

Many times the the player temporarily loses control of the ball on the way to the floor, then gains it again after they are on the floor - Therefore no travel call.

Also, as Chuck is well aware, in NCAA hoops a player may go to one knee providing the pivot foot remains stationary.
mick