What's next... two dribbles from baseline to baseline? He grabs the ball near mid court on the side, takes three or four steps before ONE dribble and a missed layin. If he didn't travel that would be amazing. It looked like when I'd play hoops with those foamy nurf balls that you can't dribble but every once in awhile you'd throw it at the floor or off the wall or something. Execept that was the NBA.
Hmmm... thought most of us would have actually viewed the game last night. =) I have it on DVR but I don't have a clue how to get it out of there. Maybe I can film it and load it somehow.
You can take about three steps, legally. One step as you pick up your final dribble, a free step and then a step as you take a shot. NBA players, as they've become more and more athletic, have become able to cover more and more ground in those three steps. Plus, of course, traveling is enforced pretty loosely by referees. Covering half a court in three steps seems...dubious.
I did see the game - just not the play in question. Three little kids running circles around you during game time makes it nearly impossible to see every play.
Here are the traveling rules... Thornton clearly travels twice on the play... both times he takes three steps. YouTube video is processing... I will post link when it is ready. Section XIV-Traveling a. A player who receives the ball while standing still may pivot, using either foot as the pivot foot. b. A player who receives the ball while he is progressing or upon completion of a dribble, may use a two-count rhythm in coming to a stop, passing or shooting the ball. The first count occurs: (1) As he receives the ball, if either foot is touching the floor at the time he receives it. (2) As the foot touches the floor, or as both feet touch the floor simultane- ously after he receives the ball, if both feet are off the floor when he receives it. The second occurs: (1) After the count of one when either foot touches the floor, or both feet touch the floor simultaneously. c. A player who comes to a stop on the count of one may pivot, using either foot as the pivot foot. d. A player who comes to a stop on the count of two, with one foot in advance of the other, may pivot using only the rear foot as the pivot foot. e. A player who comes to a stop on the count of two, with neither foot in advance of the other, may use either foot as the pivot foot. f. In starting a dribble after (1) receiving the ball while standing still, or (2) coming to a legal stop, the ball must be out of the player's hand before the pivot foot is raised off the floor. g. If a player, with the ball in his possession, raises his pivot foot off the floor, he must pass or shoot before his pivot foot returns to the floor. If he drops the ball while in the air, he may not be the first to touch the ball. h. A player who falls to the floor while holding the ball, or while coming to a stop, may not gain an advantage by sliding. i. A player who attempts a field goal may not be the first to touch the ball if it fails to touch the backboard, basket ring or another player. PENALTY: Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opposing team at the sideline, nearest spot of the violation but no nearer the baseline than the foul line extended.
Here's the video. Looks like it lost some at the beginning but he has already taken one step when the video starts. [video=youtube;WSJpMouja2I]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSJpMouja2I"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSJpMouja2I[/video]
That's awesome! That dude covered A LOT of ground with one dribble! He should look into the triple jump for the next Summer Olympics!
That was totally a travel, but a pretty amazing display of athleticism- he really covered a ton of ground. Even if you take away that last step, that was pretty impressive. Al Thornton is already good, but has a chance to be special in the next couple years. He has got great size and quickness.
