Now it seems we have another controversial jump-stop by the Heat in the closing seconds of regulation.
This time, it's LeBron James. And it helped send the Heat into overtime.
Mahoney is back on the case with another video breakdown. His conclusion this time? Chris Paul was right: LeBron should have been called for a travel. Mahoney explains:
Based on the leagues interpretation of the jump stop rule, James would have theoretically been able to pivot as he does in order to manufacture a shot following the culmination of his move. However, there are two flaws in James execution. The first: he attempt to execute a jump stop but does not land both of his feet on the floor simultaneously, a necessary requirement of the rule. That rule is as follows, per the NBA Rulebook:
A progressing player who jumps off one foot on the first step may land with both feet simultaneously for the second step.
The second: following his jump stop, LeBron reverse pivots using his left foot as his base, but slides his foot over from the white boundary line into the painted area itself. This kind of pivot slide isnt dealt with in the rulebook explicitly, but Im interpreting it in a general sense under the clauses addressing the lifting of a pivot foot (with the explanation that the pivot is being lifted and put back on the ground in one motion).
