Jae Crowder’s normal shooting motion results in controversial offensive foul
Like many NBA players, Jae Crowder has a unique follow through on his jump shot. The small forward generally sweeps his right leg forward as part of his shooting motion, whether he is wide open or guarded on the attempt. You can see a couple examples of Crowder’s form in action in highlights from last season.
[fragment number=0]
[fragment number=1]
On Sunday night against the Brooklyn Nets, Crowder’s unorthodox motion proved costly in Boston’s comeback attempt following short at the Barclays Center. The Celtics trailed 104-96 with 1:40 remaining in the game when Crowder sunk a 3-point attempt from the corner.
Nets forward Thaddeus Young made a strong contest of Crowder’s jumper on the play and was tripped up by Crowder’s sweeping leg as he lunged at the shot.
[fragment number=2]
The officials did not count Crowder’s shot after noticing the contact. Instead, they whistled Crowder for an offensive foul for attempting to create contact with the defender, a tactic that was used by Reggie Miller throughout his career.
Here’s the official explanation in the NBA rulebook that Crowder was called for:
A player shall not hold, push, charge into, impede the progress of an opponent by extending a hand, forearm, leg or knee or by bending the body into a position that is not normal. Contact that results in the re-routing of an opponent is a foul which must be called immediately.
Much of social media was outraged at the call, noting that Crowder’s subtle leg kick is a usual part of shooting form should be considered “normal.’’
[fragment number=3]
[fragment number=4]
The controversial call all but ended any hope for a late Celtics’ comeback attempt, and the visitors ultimately dropped a 111-101 decision to Brooklyn.
With two offensive foul calls already on Crowder this season for his jump shot motion, the small forward may need to consider a tweak if officials won’t give him the benefit of the doubt on his subtle follow through.
Photos: Biggest Celtics draft busts
[bdc-gallery id=”465756″]
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com