I've watched this video several times, and can't rule the contact by the primary defender as a "push." Yes, he "finds" the ball-handler, but the contact of his right hand on the back of the ball-handler has no effect, as the offensive player is moving away from that minimal contact, and the action of the defender's arm/hand is quite relaxed.
At first look, the play seems to be a block on 42. Defender 33 seems to vacate his position, and has very little, if any contact on the ball-handler. From the camera angle, it's a 50-50 call, but trying to visualize the impact from a floor-level, the trailing official could better see the contact - high on the defender's right leg, continued sideways movement of the defender, etc.
All considered, I like a charge call. Also, the Lead seems fine with whatever the Trail called, as his demeanor after the call is totally relaxed.

That's my take. If the defenders in the lane weren't there and the one behind did what he did I doubt I'd have a whistle since that arm, IMO, didn't affect RSBQ.


The L can "seem fine" with the call all he wants but there was an absolute train wreck in his PCA. He needs to have a whistle if only to show he's paying attention.

The L can "seem fine" with the call all he wants but there was an absolute train wreck in his PCA. He needs to have a whistle if only to show he's paying attention.[/QUOTE]

I agree that the L needed to be involved. My characterization of his demeanor was intended to bring the discussion to this point. I didn't see anything in the play that told me he was occupied with a match-up that didn't allow him to see the contact. Now, some assignors/evaluators want the T to stay with the play that originates in his area, all the way to the basket. Maybe the Lead was following that guideline, and would have had a whistle if the T had not made the call (?)

I have a push by the trail defender on this play. I have nothing on the shooter or the two defenders in the path of the shooter.

I'm looking at this play from a "science" standpoint and than an "art" standpoint. Initially, the drive is coming out of T's area. At the point of contact, you can't even see the T in the picture. The L is already set at the end line and ready to receive the play. Initially, you want the T to be at the 28' mark which you can see marked on the court. When there is contact in the lane, there is a good 1-2 seconds before you see the trail in the picture. I would like to see the T already connected to this play and walk it to the rim so that when contact occurs, it is more viable and believable. I think the L could be more at a close down/pinch the paint mode. As far as the "art" side, the official does not give a preliminary in the video, unless he gave it before you see him in the frame. You just see him pointing. I think he could project more strength, which would have come from giving a pre signal. A lot have commented on the push before the contact. Ask yourself this: which is the elephant and which is the ant? I don't think the "push" had any effect on the offensive player, but the contact caused by him was the greater of the two, or the elephant, IMO. Great play for discussion!

White get the foul

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