Like many other NBA fans, Damien Lillard, the star of the Trail Blazers, was watching the thrilling conclusion of Monday night’s contest between the Knights and the Nets. And, like many other NBA fans, Lillard wondered what happened to New York in the game’s final offensive possession.
Q blocked a Julius Randall shot attempt. Why did Scott Foster blow his whistle and deliver the ball to the Nets?
– Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) March 16, 2021
Okay, let’s break this down. Our investigation begins with drama …
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drama
The Knicks suffered a three-point deficit with 5.7 seconds remaining on the clock. Knowing that New York needed a 3-pointer to tie the game, All-Star forward Julius Randle caught an inbound pass, took a hard dribble and pulled it near the Barclays Center logo on the right wing.
Randall was seen moving up and down without dropping the ball, which clearly violated the trip. However, replays showed net guard Kyrie Irving swiping at the ball cleanly, disrupting Randall’s shooting pace.
Brooklyn took over, New York insisted to stop the clock and James Harden threw two free throws for a 117–1–0 win. Randall appeared to head to acting caretaker Scott Foster after the final buzzer, but was stopped by his Naxalite comrades before further escalating the situation. Randall was visibly angry, knocking over a chair en route to the locker room.
Feedback
Asked about travel calls during his postgame media availability, Randall refused to go into specifics, saying “Best of all I don’t comment on the situation right now.”
“I was just disappointed, obviously,” Randley said. “We worked very hard to come back and try to win the game. I was just disappointed. It was too much. But we got another chance to see it tomorrow [against the 76ers]. Therefore, just focused on tomorrow. “
Julius Randle on leaving the floor in frustration after Monday’s game ended:
“We worked very hard to make a comeback and try to win the game” pic.twitter.com/HS93wHQ82q
– Nix Video (@sny_knicks) March 16, 2021
Irving, who held the game’s 34 points in the Nets’ win, thought Randall made a smart adjustment after touching the ball.
“I was going to faint either [or defend straight up], But I saw him line up for a jump shot. I looked like I could get a good hands on it, “Irving said.” Scott called the trip. I thought Julius made a good play later [the ball] bottom. I was just about to get him to the free throw line after dishonesty. But yes, that’s how it looked. That’s how it went. “
What Kyrie Irving did on the final game of Monday’s game, defending Julius Randle:
“I thought Julius made a good play later [the ball] bottom ” pic.twitter.com/pfmjPXiPI7
– Nets video (@SNYNets) March 16, 2021
Rule
Here is the relevant part NBA rule book About the dribbling violation:
A player may dribble a second time if he loses control of the ball:
1. Attempt a field goal in their basket, provided the ball touches the backboard or basket ring
2. An opponent who touches the ball
3. A pass or fumble that touches his backboard, basket ring or is touched by another player.Penalty: Loss of the ball. The ball is delivered to the opposing team at the nearest edge of the infringement site, but there is no pass closer to the baseline than the foul line.
the explanation
Foster gave clarification on the trip call as part of a Postgame Interview with Brian Mahoney of the Associated Press.
“The defender was deemed to have touched the ball, but there was no reason to overthrow or loosen it,” Foster said. “When a player fights he may not intentionally drop the ball or dribble the ball or touch it first after dropping the ball.”
Essentially, the referee determined that Irving touched the ball as Randall went up for a shot, but he did not actually cause the ball to lose control. In that case, a rule allowing Randall to dribble again would not apply.
We’ll have to wait and see if the NBA’s final two-minute report confirms that interpretation.
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