Heat - Bulls (video request)
 

APG or JetMetFan, if you could get a clip of the foul at about 7:04 of the 4th quarter, I'd appreciate it. Saw it quick in the restaurant, and it looked like something I'd call intentional (FF1), but they just gave James the one FT (he made the shot).

I know the play you're talking about...not a flagrant foul in the NBA.

I honestly figured it probably wasn't (although I'm not sure why), but from what I remember, it's an easy INT in fed ball.

It's actually pretty close to the intentional I called in a men's game a few weeks ago, and the fouler seemed legitimately surprised that he couldn't just "make sure he doesn't get the shot off."

Here's the play...
 

...along with the NBA, NCAA and NFHS rule citations for FF1/intentional fouls.


<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WcfpDpMNfXM?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


NBA Rule 4-3f
A flagrant foul is unnecessary and/or excessive contact committed by a player against an opponent whether the ball is dead or alive.

NCAA Rule 4-29c
A flagrant 1 personal foul shall be a personal foul that is deemed excessive in nature and/or unnecessary, but not based solely on the severity of the act. Examples include, but are not limited to:
1. Causing excessive contact with an opponent while playing the ball;
2. Contact that is not a legitimate attempt to play the ball or player, specifically designed to stop or keep the clock from starting;
3. Pushing or holding a player from behind to prevent a score;
4. Fouling a player clearly away from the ball who is not directly involved with the play, specifically designed to stop or keep the clock from starting; and
5. Contact with a player making a throw-in. (Women) This act shall also
serve as a team warning for reaching through the boundary.

NFHS Rule 4-19-3
An intentional foul is a personal or technical foul that may or may not be premeditated and is not based solely on the severity of the act. Intentional fouls include, but are not limited to:
a. Contact that neutralizes an opponent's obvious advantageous position.
b. Contact away from the ball with an opponent who is clearly not involved with a play.
c. Contact that is not a legitimate attempt to play the ball/player specifically designed to stop the clock or keep it from starting.
d. Excessive contact with an opponent while playing the ball.
e. Contact with a thrower-in as in 9-2-10 Penalty 4.

In NCAA/NFHS it's either:

1. Travelling or ...
2. An easy IF/FF1, basket good, 2 shots, Heat throw-in underneath its basket

Just to be more specific for the NBA citation:

A flagrant foul penalty 1 is a foul that has unnecessary contact. A flagrant foul penalty two is a foul with unnecessary and excessive contact. Neither of these plays would fit that criteria.
Unlike NFHS/NCAA, if this had been called a flagrant foul (on a made basket), LeBron would have had a 2 to make 1 scenario...make the first free throw, ball side out.

The only other type of foul that could have come into play was a clear path foul, but since LeBron was in the act of shooting, clear path rules do not apply.

It is a farce that the NBA rules don't provide a harsh sanction for this kind of foul.

:)

Certain people would call the travel. I would consider him being fouled before that happen. ;)

Peace