Should NBA refs "let them play" in the final seconds?

[ChuckyB]

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If NBA players were called for traveling violations as often as they should be, I'd think the people who talk about a foul always being a foul would make more sense.

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I think they need to do what the NHL did (except for the wishy-washiness of past seasons). Tell the players a crack-down on travelling and carrying the ball is coming. Crack down. Continue to crack down. Ignore all the bitching. Then players will get used to it, stop travelling every time they touch the ball and the game will be better for it.

[ChuckyB]

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I've made this point on here before but people often complain that refs shouldn't decide the outcome with their calls.

If they don't call what is a foul according to the rules because it is the end of the game and that affects the outcome then they have decided the outcome of the game with their (non)call. Referees in any sport are there to enforce the rules of the game. They are not there to provide entertainment or exciting finishes.

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Bingo.

[VarlosZ]

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I don't like this poll. I answered let them play before I really read the first option.

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Huh?

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. . . but when it comes to a last second-decide the game play they should never call a ticky tack foul like they did last night.

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Last night wasn't a ticky-tack foul. Harris hip-checked Wade, knocking him off balance. Then he swiped at (and hit) Wade's forearm as he was shooting. Finally, Dirk had his hand on Wade's back and may have pushed him. That's a lot of contact, and the contact was pretty obviously the reason that Wade missed the layup so badly.

[DCWildcat]

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I don't like this poll. I answered let them play before I really read the first option.

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Huh?

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. . . but when it comes to a last second-decide the game play they should never call a ticky tack foul like they did last night.

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Last night wasn't a ticky-tack foul. Harris hip-checked Wade, knocking him off balance. Then he swiped at (and hit) Wade's forearm as he was shooting. Finally, Dirk had his hand on Wade's back and may have pushed him. That's a lot of contact, and the contact was pretty obviously the reason that Wade missed the layup so badly.

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I don't think you remember the play very well. I've watched the replay and what you've said is pretty much completely wrong.

1)Harris didn't hip check him. When Wade changed direction, Harris got lost and was actually behind Wade, then recovered to the side. He didn't make any lower body contact at all.
2) Dirk didn't make any physical contact with Wade in that entire sequence.

Wade jumped at a very off balance angle, and then his right leg collided with Dirk's left, which was already well in place before Wade even started his jump. He missed the shot partially because the contact with Dirk through him off balance, but more because he tried to double clutch while falling down to avoid being blocked by Dirk. Harris' hand managed to reach in, but it wasn't even close enough to warrant a foul.

Even if the refs had called it on who they intended (Harris) they would've been wrong. Instead, they called it on Dirk, who didn't even touch him. Literally. Bad but hardly unsurprising call.

[VarlosZ]

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I don't think you remember the play very well. I've watched the replay and what you've said is pretty much completely wrong.

1)Harris didn't hip check him. When Wade changed direction, Harris got lost and was actually behind Wade, then recovered to the side. He didn't make any lower body contact at all.

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Absolutely, 100%, completely and undeniably wrong. As Harris moved to cut Wade off he wound up throwing his thigh into Wade's hip. I couldn't find the video from behind the baseline online, but if someone could post it I'd appreciate it, since it's clear as day in that shot.

Anyway, here's a pic of Harris' hand on Wade's arm as he's going up for the layup:




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2) Dirk didn't make any physical contact with Wade in that entire sequence.

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I thought it was very clear that his hand was on his back, but there was apparetly no definitive angle on that contact.

[CharlieDontSurf]

Wade went thru heavy traffic and had contact by multiple players..they simply called the foul on the last player to touch him. Thats a easy call...if Wade is one on one with Dirk then maybe they dont call it...but if that is the case he makes the shot.

But given it was obvious there was some contact by the defense and the ref could see Dirks contact they blew the whistle on Dirk.

Add in that is Dwade at home...thats gonna get called more often than not.