NBA Travel

[Snake~eyes]

Someone please inform me when a travel should be and shouldn't be called in the NBA. I seem to notice obvious travels being no called in some games and not so obvious stuff in other games. What's the deal?

[JRutledge]

I must preface my statement by saying I do not watch many NBA games. Actually I have not watched an entire game this season.

I was watching the Game 1 of the Heat and Bulls. There were about 4 travel calls in a matter of minutes. I have watched other games and I see traveling called in those games as well. I personally think the issue with traveling is a little over blown. I watch college games and I see calls not made on what I feel are obvious. The bottom line it is a hard call to make consistently and if you have to guess you should not make the call. That is my take on this issue.

Peace

[tomegun]

I do watch NBA games and traveling isn't the thing that gets me going.

Last night LeBron made a big deal of his fourth foul. He clearing charged into the other player. I don't think it was really about the foul, it was about the fact that it was the beginning of the 3rd period and it was his fourth. It is like there is an unwrittern rule that certain players shouldn't foul out of games.

[Snake~eyes]

Originally Posted by tomegun

Last night LeBron made a big deal of his fourth foul. He clearing charged into the other player. I don't think it was really about the foul, it was about the fact that it was the beginning of the 3rd period and it was his fourth. It is like there is an unwrittern rule that certain players shouldn't foul out of games.

That's what happens when its all about the $$$.

[Junker]

For the same reason it's ok for a pro wrestler to hit someone with a table. It's sports entertainment, not a game. I will say, however, I'm impressed there's been some suspensions during the playoffs. At least they're making it look like they try to enforce sportsmanship.

[SeanFitzRef]

Originally Posted by tomegun

I do watch NBA games and traveling isn't the thing that gets me going.

Last night LeBron made a big deal of his fourth foul. He clearing charged into the other player. I don't think it was really about the foul, it was about the fact that it was the beginning of the 3rd period and it was his fourth. It is like there is an unwrittern rule that certain players shouldn't foul out of games.

Tommy, I couldn't agree more. Did anyone stay up late and watch the Sacto - SA game?? The "screen" by Duncan was so blatantly illegal, but it would have wiped out Barry's 3 AND been Duncan's sixth foul. The ref on the play (Bavetta, I think) passed on it. SA wins. Bavetta also passed on one in the third quarter that should have been called on Ginobilli, who totally wiped out Bonzi Wells after passing into the corner for another Barry 3. All I could say was, "Wow!!"

[Junker]

All of these are great examples of why I can't watch the NBA anymore. It is way to player driven. Soon, they might as well not have officials and let the guys call their own. I think the guys that work the NBA are great officials that know how to manage a game and I have all the respect in the world for what they do, but I think their hands are really tied by the fact that the league is there to make money. They have to be all too aware that people didn't pay to see Duncan on the bench in the 4th quarter. It seems that the higher level you go, the more officials are aware of the star player's foul situation. I think it's a good idea to know, you don't want to foul out the best player on the floor with a "nickel dimer", but you also can't let them do whatever they want.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Junker

All of these are great examples of why I can't watch the NBA anymore. It is way to player driven. Soon, they might as well not have officials and let the guys call their own. I think the guys that work the NBA are great officials that know how to manage a game and I have all the respect in the world for what they do, but I think their hands are really tied by the fact that the league is there to make money. They have to be all too aware that people didn't pay to see Duncan on the bench in the 4th quarter. It seems that the higher level you go, the more officials are aware of the star player's foul situation. I think it's a good idea to know, you don't want to foul out the best player on the floor with a "nickel dimer", but you also can't let them do whatever they want.

Amen, Brother Junker.....

I don't have a clue what a "travel" is in the NBA. I don't really feel bad though because I also don't have a clue what a "foul" is either.

The NBA is AND1 with better marketing.

[Ref_ Fred]

Some officials just don't want to take away the flow from the game and make a travel call. It's just like a 3 second call. I would rather alert the player that he is in the lane, than to blow the whistle and stop play. All part of game management.

[Ref_ Fred]

Tomegun, I have the same issue. I work with some ref's, that will not and absolutley not give the top player of the team the last and final 5th foul in the game. I had a situation where a foul occurred and the C should have called it and didn't. I came with a delay whistle on the player and it turned out to be the 5th and I was mocked by the ref who should have made the call. It was a blainted foul. the whole Gym saw it.

[refTN]

Originally Posted by Snake~eyes

Someone please inform me when a travel should be and shouldn't be called in the NBA. I seem to notice obvious travels being no called in some games and not so obvious stuff in other games. What's the deal?

Read your NFHS rulebook on traveling, its the same, just more in depth in the NBA rulebook. I'm sure the NBA guys are told time and time again that if it is borderline and inconclusive just leave it alone. I would rather miss one and let play continue than call one that was never there.

[All_Heart]

I saw a game where the Atlanta Hawks Josh Smith caught the ball 5 feet outside the 3 point line and took 3 huge steps without a dribble followed by a dunk. It was the most obvious travel that even the announcers where laughing about this being the NBA and that this isn't called.

Here is the NBA's rule on traveling.

Section XIV-Traveling
a. A player who receives the ball while standing still may pivot, using either foot as the pivot foot.

b. A player who receives the ball while he is progressing or upon completion of a dribble, may use a two-count rhythm in coming to a stop, passing or shooting the ball.

The first count occurs:
(1) As he receives the ball, if either foot is touching the floor at the time he receives it.
(2) As the foot touches the floor, or as both feet touch the floor simultane- ously after he receives the ball, if both feet are off the floor when he receives it.

The second occurs:
(1) After the count of one when either foot touches the floor, or both feet touch the floor simultaneously.

c. A player who comes to a stop on the count of one may pivot, using either foot as the pivot foot.

d. A player who comes to a stop on the count of two, with one foot in advance of the other, may pivot using only the rear foot as the pivot foot.

e. A player who comes to a stop on the count of two, with neither foot in advance of the other, may use either foot as the pivot foot.

f. In starting a dribble after (1) receiving the ball while standing still, or (2) coming to a legal stop, the ball must be out of the player's hand before the pivot foot is raised off the floor.

g. If a player, with the ball in his possession, raises his pivot foot off the floor, he must pass or shoot before his pivot foot returns to the floor. If he drops the ball while in the air, he may not be the first to touch the ball.

h. A player who falls to the floor while holding the ball, or while coming to a stop, may not gain an advantage by sliding.

i. A player who attempts a field goal may not be the first to touch the ball if it fails to touch the backboard, basket ring or another player.

PENALTY: Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opposing team at the sideline, nearest spot of the violation but no nearer the baseline than the foul line extended.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by All_Heart

Here is the NBA's rule on traveling.

Section XIV-Traveling
a. A player who receives the ball while standing still may pivot, using either foot as the pivot foot.

b. A player who receives the ball while he is progressing or upon completion of a dribble, may use a two-count rhythm in coming to a stop, passing or shooting the ball.

The first count occurs:
(1) As he receives the ball, if either foot is touching the floor at the time he receives it.
(2) As the foot touches the floor, or as both feet touch the floor simultane- ously after he receives the ball, if both feet are off the floor when he receives it.

The second occurs:
(1) After the count of one when either foot touches the floor, or both feet touch the floor simultaneously.

c. A player who comes to a stop on the count of one may pivot, using either foot as the pivot foot.

d. A player who comes to a stop on the count of two, with one foot in advance of the other, may pivot using only the rear foot as the pivot foot.

e. A player who comes to a stop on the count of two, with neither foot in advance of the other, may use either foot as the pivot foot.

f. In starting a dribble after (1) receiving the ball while standing still, or (2) coming to a legal stop, the ball must be out of the player's hand before the pivot foot is raised off the floor.

g. If a player, with the ball in his possession, raises his pivot foot off the floor, he must pass or shoot before his pivot foot returns to the floor. If he drops the ball while in the air, he may not be the first to touch the ball.

h. A player who falls to the floor while holding the ball, or while coming to a stop, may not gain an advantage by sliding.

i. A player who attempts a field goal may not be the first to touch the ball if it fails to touch the backboard, basket ring or another player.

PENALTY: Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opposing team at the sideline, nearest spot of the violation but no nearer the baseline than the foul line extended.

You left out part of the rule.....

j. Traveling may only be called on a player who has been in the NBA less than two years, is averaging less than 10 ppg., and was not selected to play in the NBA Rookie/Sophmore All-Star game.

[jmkbball]

My company has season tickets courtside for the SA Spurs. I saw my first game of the season last night for the tix are normally used by clients.

In sitting down before game, a friend walked up who works for one of the teams. He's been around the game and the NBA for a while.

He recalled a time when the league was near death and explained how the league took control of the rules with the goal of generating fan interest. Less traveling, 3 second and offensive foul calls generally mean higher scoring games and that is alledgedly important to the game -- listen to any talking airhead on sports radio / tv.


While last night's game was exciting, i found myself watching the officiating crew work and talking with the team official about calls.

Last night's crew had excellent mechanics and Dick Bavetta succeeded in keeping the game exciting for the league.

Yet, he once shouted down a coach saying "that's not my primary", only to make a call a few minutes later which resulted in every single person/player/coach on the floor asking each other why he'd go out of his area to make (what turned out to be) a mistaken call across the floor.

My friend explained that every team worries about the inconsistency of officiating in the league due to 'thinking too much' (although he agreed that the mechanics are good).
However, the argument used by the league is that everyone's livelihood is at stake as long as fans find the game exciting.
He laughed and said the league will eventually do away with fouls for certain players and just give 2-minute minors.

[New2AZref]

The way it was explained to me was that traveling is called the exact same way that fouls are called, by advantage/disadvantage.

From what I have observed, the officials at the NBA and developmental levels work easily as hard as any official at any other level. Many would argue that they work MUCH harder than officials at any other level. They spend hours upon hours watching and reviewing game film, which is a topic I have yet to see posted here in the forum. ( not saying its not here... I just havent seen anything on it, and it is the best way for us as officials to improve what we are doing )

I guess I am simply dissapointed at the way it seems that many of us are negative towards the NBA and its officials. The way you officiate a high school championship game is not going to be the same way you officiate a 40 and over mens league. The higher caliber the players, the better and cleaner the play. We discard what coaches, fans, and the like say about us as junior high, high school, and college officials because they are not in the same position we are, and seldom know the rules and how to apply them because they do not do so on a regular basis.

I would simply argue the same is true for our NBA collegues ( sp?). I am simply of the opinion that I should give them the respect that they deserve for acheiving positions where the highest level of players play, and for their dedication to the perfection of officiating the game of basketball.

Nice job, gentleman. Keep up the good work.

Mr. Stay Positive