NBA May Make 'Crab Dribble' Rule Change

[DaRealHibachi]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3951002

Certain players might enjoy this more than others...

[FreeBalling]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3951002

Certain players might enjoy this more than others...

Maybe the Traveling-Le-Crab should learn to spin the ball like Patrick Ewing. Still sounds like three steps is traveling.

Cheers!

[toughjuice03]

More Cavaliers News

Mar 13, 2009 1:18 AM EST

The NBA made a rule change for next season that will permit the 'crab dribble', which was made famous by LeBron James.

"We're working on it," Joe Borgia, NBA's vice president of referee operations, told the ESPN.com blog Truehoop recently.

"Our traveling rule we've been discussing for a couple of years," he said. "The game has evolved. I don't think the rule has evolved since the time of Bob Cousy. But we're also going to probably share it with the NCAA and maybe FIBA, because it would be nice if we could all come up with a similar rule. A similar rule would be great for the players, the coaches, and the officials."

Via Plain-Dealer

Please merge thread if needed but I thought it needed its own thread. I love how the NBA/Stern would change a rule to help a superstar like Lebron.Post thoughts.

[LyricalRico]

I love how the NBA/Stern would change a rule to help a superstar like Lebron.

That was my first reaction as well - it's sickening how they need to protect their "Savior" (although he seems to be doing just fine with the rule as-is). But the point about needing to be consistent with other leagues does have some merit. With more US players going overseas and more European and South American players coming to the NBA, it makes sense that they sync up the rule book.

If that's what their really trying to do, then they also need to change other rules like goal-tending, illegal defense, and the placement of the 3pt line. But if they only change this one, then it smells like a big fat gift to The Chosen One.

[Soup's Uncle]

This is sickening. If this happens, I'm going to find it hard to watch basketball.

[MJG]

Whether or not helping James is their true intent, that is sure as heck what this move looks like, and that's really disturbing.

[ZonkertheBrainless]

That's a strange way to report on this issue. Last I heard there was some referee who had proposed clarifying the traveling rule because the way it's written in the actual rule book it looks like you're only allowed to take one step. So he had proposed some language to clarify what traveling is, has nothing to do with LeBron or the crab dribble.

Whoever wrote that article is a hack, imo.

[ZonkertheBrainless]

"In response to increased scrutiny in recent years, the NBA is examining rewriting its traveling rules as soon as next season. It may include allowing for two steps, not one as currently written, and possibly even a provision for LeBron James' famous, or infamous, depending on your perspective, crab-dribble move.

"We're working on it," Joe Borgia, NBA's vice president of referee operations, told the ESPN.com blog Truehoop recently. "

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf ... ear_n.html

Pffft, yeah, look at the source.

It may clarify the crab dribble move, but it won't allow LeBron to take three steps...

[queridiculo]

As somebody that's taken pride in defense as an active player I'm sick how Stern is marginalizing that aspect of the game anytime he gets a chance. They have all but abolished contact, eliminated hand checks and came up with the ridiculous circle that allows offensive players to put down their heads and charge at will.

How on earth are you supposed to defend somebody like Lebron when you can't so much as breath at him and don't stand a chance to stay in front of because he can take as many steps without dribbling the ball as he wants to?

College basketball doesn't appear to have a problem enforcing the rule and it's not like the rules are confusing.

Stop coddling your superstars Stern and start caring about the game.

[Ruzious]

If it's true, it's sickening and distrurbing on multiple levels - one, that they'd do it to pacify a money-making star, and especially 2 - basdardizing the rules. it wouldn't be basketball.

[TheSecretWeapon]

Umm, the league has been working on this for some time independent of Lebron and/or his crab dribble. Their rulebook has a rule that's ambiguous at best. They're trying to clarify the rule and write it in such a way that it can actually be enforced.

[FreeBalling]

Why even have a traveling call with LeBron? He's special and for that reason the league should kiss his traveling ass.

[FreeBalling]

DP

[W. Unseld]

They better not change the rule to 3 steps. While they're at it they could clarify what a carry is and isn't. I honestly thought they were heading in the right direction with the carries and figured that the walks couldn't be far behind but this sounds like big men will still get called for moving the wrong pivot foot (which is a walk but really only one step) while guys like Lebron will be 3 stepping it ie impossible to guard.

[fishercob]

Fellers.

I have access to a high quality plotter (poster size) printer at my office. I need someone to make me a sweet hi-res, funny, clean poster mocking the crab-walking traveliers in time for next Thursday's game. My seats are section 100, prime TV territory.

Any takers?

[miller31time]

Merged the two "Crab Dribble, Rule Change" threads.

[Spence]

Lebron does not travel. He told you so. That's the end of it.

Who are you going to believe, Lebron or your lyin' eyes?

[DaRealHibachi]

Lebron does not travel. He told you so. That's the end of it.

Who are you going to believe, Lebron or your lyin' eyes?

You forgot the green font...













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