Indiana Miami: Game 3 elbow

I've switched my opinion on this play several times. Watching the game live, I thought it was a flagrant foul (NFHS intentional). Seeing the replay it looks as though Wade is doing a "swim move" to get around Stephenson. This makes me think the contact can be considered incidental. However, Wade could have run around him without jumping into the air, and without contacting Stephenson's head. So I am pretty back and forth on it. My current opinion is that I would call a NFHS intentional foul because this contact was unnecessary.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by AremRed

I've switched my opinion on this play several times. Watching the game live, I thought it was a flagrant foul (NFHS intentional). Seeing the replay it looks as though Wade is doing a "swim move" to get around Stephenson. This makes me think the contact can be considered incidental. However, Wade could have run around him without jumping into the air, and without contacting Stephenson's head. So I am pretty back and forth on it. My current opinion is that I would call a NFHS intentional foul because this contact was unnecessary.

I do not think Wade saw him until the last few steps. I think Wade was running hard and the Indiana player stopped in this way and Wade had to make a quick decision. It might not have been the best decision, but he did not just turn on a dime and move in another direction. That is why I am not confident in calling anything live and think only a review would even notice anyone was actually hit in the head.

Peace

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by AremRed

Wade could have run around him without jumping into the air, and without contacting Stephenson's head. My current opinion is that I would call a NFHS intentional foul because this contact was unnecessary.

Agreed. Maybe Wade didn't see the guy until it was too late to avoid contact. But the raising of the elbow is not a natural movement for a player who is trying to avoid or minimize the contact.