Miami Heat v. New York Knicks: LeBron Block Attempt and Foul

[Camron Rust]

By the letter of the rule, this would be a blocking foul...there was plenty of displacement through body contact from a position that was no where near LGP Without it, LeBron wouldn't have been able to block the shot (or at least not nearly as easily).

However, in practice, when a player gets that much ball up top, we often ignore a lot of body contact that comes with it.

Not sure why we don't protect shooters who get their shot blocked, but we don't.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

By the letter of the rule, this would be a blocking foul...there was plenty of displacement through body contact from a position that was no where near LGP Without it, LeBron wouldn't have been able to block the shot (or at least not nearly as easily).

However, in practice, when a player gets that much ball up top, we often ignore a lot of body contact that comes with it.

Not sure why we don't protect shooters who get their shot blocked, but we don't.

Well considering that the shooter landed under his own power, did not change his follow through on the shot, not sure what there is to protect. Blocked shots are almost always going to have some level of contact. I think the official in this case (like many do) anticipated the contact and did not likely see the entire play.

Peace

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Well considering that the shooter landed under his own power, did not change his follow through on the shot, not sure what there is to protect. Blocked shots are almost always going to have some level of contact. I think the official in this case (like many do) anticipated the contact and did not likely see the entire play.

Peace

Where does it say a player has to be knocked on their backside to be fouled?

Protecting the shooter is about letting the shooter land cleanly and safely. Knocking them sideways is usually not doing that, even if they happen to be agile enough to come out on their feet.

But, as I said, we don't call these if the defender gets the ball first or even gets mostly ball....short of extreme contact.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

Where does it say a player has to be knocked on their backside to be fouled?

It doesn't say that specifically, but the rule does say that it is not a foul when a player's movement is not affected and in this case there is not affect on movement based on the contact that may or may not have taken place.

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

Protecting the shooter is about letting the shooter land cleanly and safely. Knocking them sideways is usually not doing that, even if they happen to be agile enough to come out on their feet.

But, as I said, we don't call these if the defender gets the ball first or even gets mostly ball....short of extreme contact.

The rule does not say that there cannot be any contact what so ever. Again, was Melo knocked to the floor? Was he unable to land in a similar spot without the contact? Better yet, did LBJ block the ball first? And players can fall as a result of the force of the block as much as the contact. Heck someone big is jumping to prevent you from completing a motion towards the basket, I would suspect that some contact is inevitable or this could knock someone off their normal movement even when there is no contact. This is why at the end of the day this is a judgment call.

Peace

[rockyroad]

I was actually watching the game last night when this play happened...my first thought was "Nice call!" And then they showed the replay...a good patient whistle on this play and we don't call anything. I can understand why it would be called, but it really should come from an outside official who has a better look at the play.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

I was actually watching the game last night when this play happened...my first thought was "Nice call!" And then they showed the replay...a good patient whistle on this play and we don't call anything. I can understand why it would be called, but it really should come from an outside official who has a better look at the play.

I had the same reaction on the live shot, then when I saw the replay I retracted that opinion.

Peace

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I had the same reaction on the live shot, then when I saw the replay I retracted that opinion.

Peace

Yep.

Really not enough contact to displace or hamper the shooter, and the block up top was amazingly clean.

I think the L jumped on that one too quickly.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Blocked shots are almost always going to have some level of contact.

Not back when Bill Russell played:

[JRutledge]

Billy, you did not watch much of that video did you?

Peace

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Billy, you did not watch much of that video did you?

Peace

Obviously not...

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Billy, you did not watch much of that video did you?

Originally Posted by rockyroad

Obviously not.

Originally Posted by AllPurposeGamer

Different era and different style of play, not nearly the same amount of athleticism nor above the rim play that there is now.

Agree. But it was still fun to watch back then, and, at least for me, today. Willis Reed, of the New York Knicks, used similar tactics, not trying to block every shot, but waiting for the right time, right player, right place, etc. Today, players try to block just about every shot that they have any chance to block. Certainly makes for a more physical game, a more difficult game to officiate, and some may say, a more exciting game.

Thanks for taking a look at the video guys. I hope that you got some enjoyment out of it, and didn't find it a complete waste of your time.

[APG]

You have a knack for derailing threads and going off-top Billy but...

Are we getting on players for attempting to block too many shots? If one has a shot at blocking a shot, why shouldn't they attempt to? Should Scott Brooke tell Serge Ibekaka he's attempting to block too many shots...even when he lead the league this year with over 3.5 blocks/game?

[APG]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Not back when Bill Russell played:

I don't see what's the point of this clip when discussing the play at hand but...different era and different style of play...not nearly the same amount of athleticism nor above the rim play that there is now...even in just the college play.

[onetime1]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Not back when Bill Russell played:

The first block no contact but a fadeaway shot. From then on all block shots look to have some form of contact

[berserkBBK]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

By the letter of the rule, this would be a blocking foul...there was plenty of displacement through body contact from a position that was no where near LGP Without it, LeBron wouldn't have been able to block the shot (or at least not nearly as easily).

However, in practice, when a player gets that much ball up top, we often ignore a lot of body contact that comes with it.

Not sure why we don't protect shooters who get their shot blocked, but we don't.

On jump shooters we do. Jump shot, quick block, crash! We can't officiate that play like a punt in football.
Like you said there are less calls on plays to the rim. I think that is because he is going up with much more force and bracing for any contact. This is most likely why the contact is deemed incidental. Which I agree with in most plays.