NBA Finals (G1) LBJ Basket Interference (Video)
 

1:38 remaining of the 3rd quarter, basket interference.

Take a good look at the two replays, showing how angles are everything.

I know the NBA rule is written differently than NCAA and NFHS.

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Wow, ball wasn't even in contact with the rim, as the first replay made it seem.

Why would that matter?

With the joy of instant replay I see Leonard's hand pulling the basket down and King James interfering while the ball in the cylinder. Double violation.
Go to the Arrow.

Being that one of the criteria for BI is that the ball is "on" the rim, it does matter.

Further, I believe the NBA BI rule is a bit different in that the ball can be played if it is on the way out of the cylinder even if it is still in the cylinder. If I am correct here, this one was on the way out and, as such, legal.

You have BI on LBJ based on???

And if you have violation on either player, the second violation is moot.

NBA Rule 11, Section I
 

(NOTE: the subsections which wouldn't apply to the play have been removed)

A Player Shall Not:
a. Touch the ball or the basket ring when the ball is using the basket ring as its lower base or hang on the rim while the ball is passing through.
EXCEPTION: If a player near his own basket has his hand legally in contact with the ball, it is not a violation if his contact with the ball continues after the ball enters the cylinder, or if, in such action, he touches the basket. (i.e., the rule that makes dunking legal)
b. Touch any ball from within the playing area when it is above the basket ring and within the imaginary cylinder.
c. During a field goal attempt, touch a ball, which has a chance to score, after it has touched any part of the backboard above ring level, whether the ball is considered on its upward or downward flight.
i. Touch the rim, net or ball while the ball is in the net, preventing it from clearing the basket.

Well, if that is the NBA rule, they either have a very convoluted definition of "within the imaginary cylinder" or they miss a lot of basket interference calls.

Antics after play.....
 

Is it fair to say in FED / NCAA that the actions of LeCramps would be a technical in a hs or college game ????

This is a tough call to make considering the ball is coming off the rim towards Marc Davis and he has no depth perception from his angle. I don't know how he could do better though.

basket interference is one of the toughest call for us to make, in my opinion.

This is one where I'd like to see them go to the international rule....once it hits the rim it is fair game. That would be much easier to judge.