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

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by tref

Even though the clean block occurs prior to the contact?

If we're speaking according to the letter of the rules, there is nothing that says you are free from fouling if you get the ball first. Who knows, in absence of contact, perhaps the shooter would have been able to still make a play.

Some believe that the defender should take a line to avoid contact. If they can't get the block without going through the other player, then they really haven't got there first.

No, I'm not saying it should have been a foul, just presenting the other side of the story, which, by rule, is valid.