Another NBA Inadvertent Whistle

[Nevadaref]

David Jones had this one. I only caught the tail end of the play, but someone for SA had the ball at the top of the key. I believe that he had already used his dribble. He tried to throw a pass to a nearby teammate who vacated and the ball bounced on the floor. The original player ran over to it, but didn't touch it. He merely screened it with his body and allowed his intened teammate to come collect it. However the Trail official, David Jones, had already blown the whistle mistakenly believing that the passer was going to touch the ball.
So far not really a big deal. It happens. However, what I found interesting was the way the game was restarted. They had a jumpball in the center circle. I have to wonder about the correctness of that. Of course, I know squat about the NBA rules, so I can't make a determination. I do know that when Javie had his the other night, there was no team or player control due to the shot that was taken. Also, I know that the NFHS and NCAA rules on this. The Javie play would have gone to the arrow under NFHS or NCAA rules, but the Jones play would simply have resumed at the POI with the same team retaining possession.
So Chuck or anyone out there who knows the NBA rule a little help would be nice. For the rest of us we can all learn a little from seeing it happen to the best in the business.

[ChuckElias]

I looked briefly through my rulebook, but I can't see why this would be a jump ball. The rules say that an inadvertant whistle is treated as a suspension of play; after a suspension of play, the game is resumed at the POI; and the POI is defined merely as where the ball was when the whistle sounded. Not much help there.

My guess, without having seen the play, is that perhaps a defender tipped the ball at some point before the whistle. This would have created a loose ball situation and ended team control. Thus, the jump ball would be required. If there was still team control, I honestly don't know why they would've jumped it up.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by ChuckElias

My guess, without having seen the play, is that perhaps a defender tipped the ball at some point before the whistle. This would have created a loose ball situation and ended team control. Thus, the jump ball would be required. If there was still team control, I honestly don't know why they would've jumped it up.

Nope, that's not what happened.

Ginoboli had the ball near the top of the key after the Spurs had pushed the ball up the floor. He turned to pass the ball to Duncan. But Duncan was still in the BC. But he released the pass to the point that it was a pass but it didn't enter the BC. Manu then screened anyone else from getting it as Tim rushed into the FC. Jones whistled before Ginoboli or Duncan touched it. No defender touched the ball.

Should have been Spurs ball as team control had not ended.

[jkjenning]

It was a transition play, Ginoboli changed his mind about a 3-point shot, "knew" Duncan was trailing him and turned to pass back to Duncan - oops, Duncan is standing, for whatever reason, in the backcourt waiting to see if they score(?) before entering the FC, so Ginoboli reacts by running to his pass, which is bouncing on the court - he almost touches it, but then begins blocking access to the ball from the defenders [no contact because the defenders are reacting slow as well] and as Duncan runs to collect the ball a whistle blows because the official anticipated Ginoboli touching the ball.

There was no defensive touch, but I figured since the whistle happened when there was no player control you had to have a jump ball.

It was an ugly game for the Spurs and the officials. The Spurs were bobbling the ball and looked tired (probably were); the officials probably were not too happy either, but certainly noone could argue that the outcome of the game hinged on them - it just made it look like a sloppier game. Javie has been known to San Antonians for many years and at one point a chant that sounded, though the TV, like "Javie $ucks" resounded through the arena... I believe it was after this missed call, though it was not Javie's whistle.

[All_Heart]

I have this tivo'd. Does anyone know where this is in the game? Quarter & Time?

[jkjenning]

I only saw the 2nd half, so I would guess somewhere towards the middle/end of the 3rd quarter.

[Dribble]

From TV the chant sounded like, "Ref you suck!" after Javie called a block on Brent Barry. I'm not a fanboy, but I thought that Javie got the call wrong. No replay was shown so it's tough to say with 100% certainty. Barry looked like he was clearly established and was outside the restraining circle.

After David Jones' inadvertent whistle I wonder if he's going to move onto the next round. I've had a couple brown pops with him before and he's a quality guy. Unfortunately, I don't think he's made it to the Finals despite working in the league for a while. Steve Javie's already gotten to the Finals several times, so I don't think his inadvertent whistle will hurt him as much.