Pathetic: Reigning NBA MVP Gets Away with One of the Most Blatant Travels Ever
There’s traveling, and then there’s what Rockets star James Harden did in Houston’s 102-97 win over Utah on Monday.
With 54.6 seconds left and the Rockets up 97-94, Harden made a move to launch one of his patented step-back jumpers over Jazz guard Ricky Rubio — but he went a little overboard in the number of steps back.
Harden took about four steps to get behind the 3-point line to launch one over Rubio.
The refs don’t think this Harden step back(s) is a travel.
(Via @ESPNNBA) pic.twitter.com/YeHVsuXun2
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) December 18, 2018
Not only did the refs not call traveling on harden, they whistled Rubio with a foul, giving Harden three shots at the charity stripe.
Harden made two of three foul shots to increase the lead to 99-94.
It was a generous whistle, too, as Rubio looked like he barely touched Harden.
Travel by Harden? pic.twitter.com/JIzRqINHbZ
— Matt Petersen (@TheMattPetersen) December 18, 2018
It was a huge call in the game because Donovan Mitchell was fouled on a 3-pointer on the next possession and made all three. That made the score 99-97, but had Harden been called for traveling, it would have tied the game at 97.
Harden did come back to make a 3-pointer with 13.3 seconds left to seal the deal. The NBA’s leading scorer and reigning MVP had 47 points on the night on 14-31 shooting. Harden also had six rebounds, five assists and five steals to go with five turnovers. Mitchell led Utah with 23 points.
Even Harden couldn’t deny that he got away with one there.
“What do you want me to say? Tell on myself?” Harden said, reported ESPN.
Rubio was careful with his words for fear of criticizing the refs, but it’s pretty clear what he thought of the no-call.
“You watch the play? What do you think?” Rubio said after the game. “I’m not going to answer, but I think 100 percent of the people know the answer.”
Come on cuz lol… There letting that happen now? Lol I’m really bout to be unguardable https://t.co/hMM7tYJaKT
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) December 18, 2018
The Rockets are slowly digging themselves out of the early season hole they dug for themselves. They’ve won four straight games to poke their heads over .500 at 15-14. They are a half-game behind the Grizzlies and Mavericks in the Southwest Division.
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