One of the most difficult calls to make in the split second of fast-paced NBA action helped swing Game 1 of the NBA Finals in Golden State’s favor. Officials went to a replay review because they weren’t sure if LeBron James‘ feet were outside the restricted area when Kevin Durant slammed into him in the final minute of regulation in a game Cleveland lost 124-114 in overtime Thursday night.
The play came with about 30 seconds left and the Cavaliers leading 104-102 after James converted a three-point play as part of a 51-point night.
The initial signal was for a charge Jordy Nelson Jersey , which would have given Cleveland the ball. But the officials then called for a replay, as NBA rules allow for that type of play in the final two minutes of regulation or in overtime.
”We were told they were reviewing if I had my feet outside the line,” James said. ”And when I knew that, I was like, OK, that’s going to be our ball. I knew I was outside the charge line, so that’s what the communication was to us. We were over on the sideline, drawing up a play, you know, to try to execute, try to go up a couple possessions.”
During the replay, officials can also look to determine if the defensive player was in a legal guarding position, and they decided James wasn’t.
”It was determined he was out of the restricted area Mark Bavaro Jersey , but he was not in a legal guarding position prior to Durant’s separate shooting motion,” referee Ken Mauer told a pool reporter. ”So we had to change it to a blocking foul.”
The overturn angered the Cavaliers, who were upset the call even went to review because they felt James was clearly outside the restricted area.
”It doesn’t make sense to go review something if the review is if he’s on the line or if he’s close to the charge circle, that’s the review. He wasn’t close,” coach Tyronn Lue said. ”So what are we reviewing? Either call a blocking foul or call an offensive foul. For our team to come out and play their hearts out and compete the way we did, man, I mean, it’s bad.
”It’s never been done before where you know he’s outside the restricted, and then you go there and overturn the call and say it’s a block. It’s never been done, ever, in the history of the game. And then tonight in the finals on the biggest stage, when our team played well, played our (butt) off Tyrell Williams Jersey , man, it ain’t right. It ain’t right.”
Durant said he had seen that play reviewed before and was confident he would get the call once officials looked at the replay.
”I knew that. I knew he was late on the drive, and I knew I had my man beat and he came over a little late,” he said. ”So when they called the charge, I was surprised, but I’m glad they reviewed it.”
While James was moving when Durant left the ground, he still believed he was in a legal position and should have gotten the call even after it went to replay.
”I thought I read that play just as well as I read any play in my career, defensively,” he said. ”I saw the drive, I was outside the charge line, I stepped in, took the contact. It’s a huge play. It’s a huge play.”
Durant made both foul shots to tie the game.
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Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner would love it if Earl Thomas showed up. But he understands perfectly why he hasn’t so far, and supports his teammate’s efforts to get a new contract.
Via Gregg Bell of the Tacoma News Tribune Dean Lowry Jersey , Wagner said during a radio interview on KJR (with former Seahawk Cliff Avril) that the business realities of the NFL made him sympathetic to Thomas’ plight. The decorated safety has stayed away from all offseason workouts, and skipped the team’s mandatory minicamp.
“You’ve got to do what’s right for you,” Wagner said. “Because at the end of the day, whenever you are done they don’t care about you. You’ve got to get what you’ve got to get while you can. Because as soon as you can’t play, . . . ”
At that point, Avril added: “As soon as you get hurt.”
“Yeah,” Wagner replied. “As soon as you can’t play and they don’t want you no more, it’s over. So you’ve got to make the best of your opportunity.”
Thomas is entering the final year of his contract, and is underpaid by any tangible measure. But the Seahawks have also turned over their defense this offseason, with a number of veterans hitting the door. Thus, they might not be as eager to give the 29-year-old Thomas the kind of deal he wants. As a result, Wagner hedged when asked if he expected to see Thomas in camp.
“I mean, I don’t know. It’s up to him and management to figure that out Chris Hogan Jersey ,” Wagner said. “You don’t want to get into a person’s contract. . . . At the end of the day, they are trying to figure out a way to best provide for their family. You are involved, to a certain extent, but he’s trying to take care of his family. And you want him to put himself in the best position to take care of his family. So whatever that looks like, whatever that is, that’s between him and the management.
“Do I hope comes? I do. I hope he comes. But I’m not necessarily focused on that, because I understand both sides. I understand wanting him here. And I understand the business aspect, which is not good for players. Like, we have contracts that don’t necessarily favor us all the time. So you have to do what’s right for you.”
Of course, there’s also the possibility the Seahawks trade Thomas (that chatter hasn’t died down), and let someone else deal with the contractual unpleasantness. And if that happens, they’ll say it was just business.
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