The end of a basketball game with reviews, challenges, referee confusion (looking at one another), players/fans/coaches pointing and screaming is mind boggling. I am not a fan of review for any reasons – including flagrant fouls (more later).  Thus, when we all witness a ball skidding out of bounds on a basketball court, who fortunately obtains possession is mere luck, consequence, or life itself. An athletic play to cause possible loss of possession may turn sour with a “bad” call and video review unable to provide absolute evidence of reversing a “bad” call. The better team may lose the game on the frequent missed close call giving ball possession to the wrong team. Both teams feel they have ball possession, refs are subconsciously affected by home crowds and threatening coaches, and the review takes forever. Two commercials, a potty break, and an argument surrounding the computer or television erupts. Finally, the announcers review the call after watching the video – and they are split over who now has possession in a tie game. 

The head referee after hearing from AI, NYC, a commissioner, coaching culture, and latest confessional session, needs to make a vital decision. The high school, college, or professional coaches and players along with thousands of fans are staring at the ongoing review near the scorer’s table. The ball out of bounds decision will decide athletic scholarships, coaching tenures, ticket prices, bets, and fan allegiances. The NFL has the official in a dark tent viewing a video monitor. All basketball officials have headsets – taking orders from the Cloud. Finally, an announcement is completed after 8 commercials on TV and fans present – hoping their team wins possession. If the call goes against their team, it was a “bad” call. 

Naismith developed hoops in the 1890s; and had no idea what would transpire with technology. “Get the call right,” has been the time-honored slogan (really?). Perhaps we should get the call over with so babysitters can get to bed. The reviews are a slugfest with players signaling with their index finger straight up to review a “bad” call. Refs in specific leagues review on their own. God would not have reviews. God as a neutral referee/official would have a jump ball between the players who may have touched the ball out of bounds last. Alternate possession is a “woke” way of rewarding a team undeserving of possession – especially at the end of the game. Please send the video review equipment and headphones to a college dorm and play basketball. No subs, timeouts, or other shenanigans during a basketball game close call with the ball possession unknown and decided by “who touched last.” The ref is God; and God would have a jump ball contest – as Naismith would – problem solved.

A) Jump Ball – Alternate Possession – Wrong – Reward Defense with Possession (National Basketball Pick-up Rules).
Who developed held ball (2 opposing players sharing basketball possession) alternate possession? Perhaps a communist coach who lost a game on a jump ball before the rule was changed to alternate possession – rewarding teams that dribble into traffic. Rather, it was the NCAA in 1981 (as the US culture was changing) who decided to alternate possession. This began a series of rule changes that did not reward basketball merit/work (such as inner circle playing legitimate defense). Thus, if we have 6 held balls, my team gets 3 – does not matter if we were clumsy on offense or played great defense. This rule and practice must end.  If my team with merit ties up a basketball, then the great defense should be rewarded with possession (done). The game goes on; and if they get the next 5 held ball calls on defense, the team is rewarded with 5 possessions. 

Scoring table arrows (sometimes with mistakes – forgot to turn), guessing who has possession, strategy, arguments, and dumb comments (I think it should be this) are eliminated. My team on defense ties up the ball with equal possession (held ball), we get the basketball (done). The only other possibility is the rule from 3x3 basketball – no jump balls – players fight for the ball (done). Merit is rewarded for athletic strength during a held ball. Additionally, a team is rewarded for not dribbling into a pack of piranhas. Life is just not that way. If I commit 6 traffic violations, I receive 6 traffic citations – not 3. Therefore, please remove alternate possession and bring basketball back to meritocracy. 

B) Moving Screens with Feet Implanted Above the Arc is NOT a Moving Screen Violation

  1) End of Game Close Reviews on Who Touched Ball Before Basketball Travels Out of Bounds is a “Jump Ball.”
This is by far the most upsetting rule in hoops. The call comes out of nowhere, players and coaches are puzzled, and the ref is solid with the call – already pointing opposite possession with the ball on the sidelines. It is like going to jail without a trial when you are innocent. A safe legal screen in basketball requires feet implanted for a count (set stationary position), no shuffling of feet, no leaning into a chasing defender, and no extension of hips/arms/legs. These calls are generally picky, close, do not reward merit (fundamental screening within basketball), and cause angst among generally innocent violators. Possession changes with little merit. Egregious use of hands, legs, body movement, or feet shuffling should be called an illegal screen. Minimal (not affecting the play) movement of the torso, arms (if within the shoulders – like a blocking lineman), or legs without shuffling should be allowed. 

Minimal torso leans (requiring athleticism) with feet in cement are commonly called illegal screens. I am not getting this; and never will. A passing defender brushing an implanted screener is commonly called an illegal screen unfortunately. This should be a no-call – basketball is a contact sport. If the defender cannot get around the screener, then the defense should switch (even if a mismatch). Fighting over screens leads to open creases for 3-pointers (old school defense). A fresh defender is ready to guard the ball on a switch (works). A totally cemented screener acting as a statue is protected (without a significant lean or arm extension). A big collision is generally a no – call (agreed). Sorry, I need another Tums when I watch the replay of miniscule movement by a screener above the arc with his feet in cement. The illegal screen call makes me sick, upsets play/stops the game, and the disbelief on the court is valid disbelief because nobody EVER called this in driveway hoops. Please allow a cemented implanted screener some space. Change the rule from Y – Ball to the NBA. Implanted non-shuffling feet in cement with arms in despite a lean is NOT a moving screen violation (because they are not legitimately moving). 

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