EXPLAINING REFEREEING DECISIONS. A benefit of the NBA reports is that they explain the guidelines which are used to apply the rules with much more clarity than any of the announcers do. I learned from reading them. Some examples from the report on the New Orleans Pelicans/Denver Nuggets game that I linked to yesterday:
“Faried (DEN) contests Davis’s (NOP) jump shot, allowing him to land safely. He makes ‘hi-five’ contact with Davis’s hand after he releases the ball, which is legal.” The hi-five analogy is a useful guideline for judging contact by a defender with a shooter.
“Evans (NOP) makes contact with Lawson’s (DEN) arm after he has released the shot, but the contact does not affect his ability to follow thru.” Another useful guideline for judging contact by a defender with a shooter.
“Gallinari (DEN) sets the screen on Evans (NOP) and gives him the opportunity to stop and/or change direction.” A test for a legal screen.
“Cunningham (NOP) grabs and pulls Gallinari (DEN), preventing him from rolling off the screen.” A test for when a screen is illegal.