After the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks played a very controversial game, everybody had something to say, especially Julius Randle, who was furious after the refs called travel in the last active play of the game. Randle had to be held back by his teammates since he was visibly upset with the final development of the game.
NBA fans reacted to that, blasting the officials for their performance during the game and justifying Randle’s anger. The Knicks were really close to beating the Nets and it’s a shame that these decisions prevented them from at least sending the game to overtime.
Randle was heated after being called for the travel to end the game 😳 https://t.co/azDJ8BLgoy
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 16, 2021
Besides the fans, one player reacted to the whole situation. Damian Lillard is one of the most active NBA stars on social media and he didn’t miss the chance to drop a simple question about how things were handled during that sequence. Dame was extremely curious about why the refs gave the ball back to the Nets if it was a block.
“Ky blocked Julius Randle shot attempt. Why did Scott foster blow his whistle and give the nets the ball?”
Ky blocked Julius Randle shot attempt. Why did Scott foster blow his whistle and give the nets the ball?
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) March 16, 2021
NBA Twitter tried to explain why they made that call while others just blasted the refs for not being consistent and call some plays for some players while others get a green light.
Nah bro. Players NEED to start speaking out on this shit. The game needs to at least be relatively fair. It’s so obvious the refs are helping the teams they think are “more relevant” I’m a sixers fan and I’m saying this. It’s terrible for the league
— Chase (@Chase2201) March 16, 2021
https://twitter.com/YvesDarbouze/status/1371664657413517313
Because Randel didn’t lose control. The ball was hit but not enough to lose control. Randel then continued up but then changed his mind with a dribble. Back in the day – they used to call that ‘up and down’.
— Gary Knox (@gPrep) March 16, 2021
Kyrie touched the ball but Randle didn’t let it go & still had full possession which would make it an up & down travel pic.twitter.com/fQiLls5MKN
— Hassan 🇸🇴 (@TherealHassanO) March 16, 2021
Randle when the NBA comes out with a statement after the game saying the call was wrong pic.twitter.com/TJn8GxGlPR
— AB (@WayToo6ixy) March 16, 2021
Yes he did lose possession!!!! The ball was not in his control. He had to regain control with his hands. Just because the ball is touching his hand does not mean he had possession.
— Chase (@Chase2201) March 16, 2021
Kyrie never blocked the shot… if so, it would’ve popped up as a block in his stats but it doesn’t . Also, Randle literally had controlled of the ball in the air; he never lost possession throughout the whole entire play. Therefore, when he came back down, it became a travel.
— Raq$tackin (@Elitekayy2x) March 16, 2021
https://twitter.com/TweetAbhik/status/1371662581195288576
Scott thought it was a travel, even though it should’ve been a jump ball!
— SGG Media (@SGG_hq) March 16, 2021
BS call. Kyrie hit the ball as he was going up and his jump shot clearly changed as he was positioning his hands on the basketball. He then came back down w the ball legally to reset and take a jumper. Refs messed this one up.
— SPORTS CYCLE (@SPORTSCYCLE1) March 16, 2021
That was the correct call. Randle didnt lose control of the ball, it was merely touched. Had he let go of that ball, he would've been allowed to dribble again. I think the rule was pretty clear on this.
— SportsFanNoypi (@CantBreak100) March 16, 2021
So the belief is as you rise to take a shot and someone slaps the ball it doesn't alter your motion since he didn't fumble the ball? Funny how I've seen the opposite in games sometimes this yr. No consistency in officiating this yr.
— D. Alan (@quite_hostile) March 16, 2021
These situations will always bring controversy to the table and this is definitely not the exception. The Knicks demonstrated they can go against anybody and put pressure on them but it’s a shame the game ended this way.
