The NBA has released a statement regarding two infractions which should have been called in the dying seconds of regulation time in Game One. The league's head office says Draymond Green should have received a lane violation foul when he entered the paint to establish a dominant defensive presence before George Hill had completely let go of his 2nd free throw attempt. Incidentally, Hill missed his attempt, leading to a wild scramble for the ball. As history would have it, the ball fell into JR Smith's hands where he opted to play keepsies instead of trying for the win.
Had the officials made the correct call on the play, George Hill would have been awarded a do-over free throw attempt, and a chance to seal the victory. It's up for debate whether a lane violation call is something negligible to the naked eye. If anything, this league's revision perhaps clears his conscience, yes JR Smith the main culprit in Game One.
The league also announced that a second foul against Draymond Green should have been called 12.1 seconds to go for running interference on LeBron James by grabbing his arm. The ref's negligence led to Bron passing the rock to George Hill, who was fouled by Klay Thompson putting him at the line. Had they made the initial call on Draymond Green, it would have been LeBron at the line, and not George Hill. Something tells me the Cavaliers' won't fancy hearing the league's revision without restitution.
See you Sunday.
