Defensive player grabbing the net to pull himself up

[Nevadaref]

My point was that learning/teaching/using incorrect or sloppy terminology leads to misunderstandings about the rules. In your specific case, had you been taught that the rule was for grasping the basket, you wouldn't have had any doubt that this included hanging on the net. You would have known that action was illegal and never even needed to ask the question which you did.

Take a bit of friendly advice and make a little more effort to adhere to precise terminology when talking about basketball rules, especially with officials and you will be better.