Unfortunately, it was all for naught, as he was called for traveling (yes, you read that right. a travel call in the NBA, in the final seconds of a close game. amazing, no?)
Of course, Bron Bron, even after seeing replays of the violation, refused to give in. He termed his move a "crab dribble".
Now, let's be honest here, put all the ole cards on the table. I've been following basketball since I was a little kid. Never, ever have I heard of a crab dribble. I've looked, it doesn't appear in the NBA rule book, anywhere. Jalen Rose came on ESPN and said that such a thing did exist (though it wasn't what LeBron did). Still, crab or lobster or shrimp dribble or whatever you want to call it, that's a travel.
Good for referee Bill Spooner for making that call. From the AP, "Spooner explained his call in an e-mail: '3 steps on the move to the basket. Basic travel call.'" And you know what, that's exactly what happened.
If you don't believe me, take Caron Butler's word for it. He plays in the NBA, last I checked, and he can't help but chuckle.
At first, it might seem like payback for distant memories of travels long ago (yes, that too was a blatant walk, but somehow wasn't called). But, when you watch it again, it simply is what it was, a blatant walk in a league that practically encourages and glorifies those that do.
By the way, if you're looking for a refresher course on exactly what constitutes a travel, please check this informative video out.
My final thought on this is, has it gotten so bad that not only are players traveling, but they're in denial about when they're doing it? Am I to believe that one of the best players in the world doesn't know the rule for a travel? Is he so used to things going his way that he just makes up rules when the ones in place don't suit him?
I know he's the King, but, come on already. A walk is a walk. Period.
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