NBA says LeBron James 'slide tackle' of Stephen Curry was correct non-call
Official review says that controversial play was correct in not being called a foul, but indeed incidental contact.
By
Matt Moore
•
1 min read
As there always is when an NBA game is close, and for the third time in three games, there was consternation about a particular non-call in Game 3 of the Finals on Tuesday. With under a minute to go, Steph Curry raced out to half-court, and attempted his standard behind-the-back dribble. LeBron James had scouted it, and swiped at the ball. He made contact, but also slid into Curry, effectively giving him a soccer tackle.
The league's official 2-minute report came out Wednesday and said it was a correct non-call:
"James (CLE) cleanly strips the ball from Curry (GSW) before contact is made. The contact made after the strip is incidental to the players' attempt to retrieve the ball," the report states.
The response to this in Warriors circles is that you can't allow any contact after the strip just because contact with the ball is made first. But there's a difference between excessive or intentional force and incidental contact. After James knocks the ball away, both players have a right to occupy the space. At least that's the interpretation. On the other hand, he tackled the guy.
Beyond all that, though. This is the Finals. This is how the Finals are played and the Warriors need to respond to the physicality.
Won't make Warriors fans feel any better, though. Game 4 is Thursday night.
