Opinions Needed!

During a game which I officiated recently, defensive player slapped the backboard while the ball was on the rim.

My understanding of basket interference is that you can not touch the rim (or net) while the ball is on the rim. I therefore blew my whistle, and called a technical foul on the offender, as he did not touch the rim (or net).

I was told after the game I should have called basket interferance, awarded two points and forgotten about about the "T".

Do you all agree with the advice I received? I still think I did the right thing.

No, this is not BI. The person who told you this is wrong, wrong, wrong!

If the slap resulted from a block attempt, we have nothing.

If he just slaps the backboard for the hell of it, it's a T.

But it's not BI.

Basket Interference on this kind of play is, frankly, the coward's way out. They know they should have something, but aren't sure of the rule and/or just want to "keep the game moving". BI is quicker and nobody really questions it, whereas the T takes longer to administer, is more severe, and gets the coach upset.

But as Todd, er, TH pointed out, this can never be BI. It's a T or nothing. Good call.

Chuck