Reporter defends officials

[grunewar]

Just a FYI, the 27 April issue of Sports Illustrated has an interesting article entitled, The Hardest Call of All. NBA - So, which is it, Block, Charge, or No Call?

If you get a chance, it's a good read with some interesting comments from coaches, players, and the NBA Director of Officials.....and they all agree, "it can be an incredibly difficult call."

They even discuss the hardest drivers to the hoop and those most likely to stand and take a hit.....

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by grunewar

Just a FYI, the 27 April issue of Sports Illustrated has an interesting article entitled, The Hardest Call of All. NBA - So, which is it, Block, Charge, or No Call?

I already read my copy, and recycled it, so I can't go back and check, but wasn't there a statement, or two, in the article about a defender being "set"? I just assumed the NBA rule was not the same as the NFHS rule and didn't give it a second thought, but now I'm starting to wonder. For those of you who still have the issue, did the writer state that the defender had to be "set", and is this the correct rule in the NBA?

From the Mythbusters: A defensive player does not have to remain stationary to take a charge. A defender may turn away or duck to absorb contact, provided he or she has already established legal guarding position, which is both feet on the playing court and facing the opponent. The defender can always move backwards or sideways to maintain a legal guarding position and may even have one or both feet off the playing court when contact occurs.

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

For those of you who still have the issue, did the writer state that the defender had to be "set", and is this the correct rule in the NBA?

I don't know the NBA Rule. But, according to the author, he states, in a split second the ref must determine: a) were the defender's feet set, b) was he outside the court's semicircle, c) who initiated contact, and d) does the contact merit a call at all?

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by grunewar

I don't know the NBA Rule. But, according to the author, he states, in a split second the ref must determine: a) were the defender's feet set, b) was he outside the court's semicircle, c) who initiated contact, and d) does the contact merit a call at all?

grunewar: Thanks for your research. If the NBA charge rule is the same as the NFHS charge rule, this scares me, as it perpetuates the myth that the defender's feet must be "set". Sports Illustrated is a major publication that is read, I'm sure, by many high school players, coaches, and fans. Even if the NBA charge rule is not the same as the NFHS charge rule, the article does not make that distinction, and, again, the myth will continue.