During Game 5 of the 2023 NBA Finals, Aaron Gordon was called for a foul on Jimmy Butler’s three-point attempt. Denver challenged the call, but the referees upheld it, leaving everyone in disbelief
by NBAperspective
@National Basketball Association
14 Comments
Bro did my previous thread disappear from the main page?
https://old.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/1f5ohdi/during_the_2023_nba_finals_while_rnba_was_closed/
They’re going to delete this one too. Coward ass clown mods. Go nuggets! Go to hell r/nba mods!
Bitch ass mods lol
At some point over the last ten years, the nba and nfl decided that everyone wanted to see way more fouls, penalties, and reviews. The only explanation that makes sense is that it increases commercial time but wow they have really hurt the product.
Watching Olympic basketball was such a breath of fresh air, felt like the flow was way better than the nba and the shameless foul baiting was way less.
This might be controversial but I do think it’s the right call. Jimmy Butler kicking out his leg is a natural movement for that type of shot.
When a player takes a shot while running or fading away their leg naturally kicks out to balance themselves, happens all the time. For example, look at how Kawhi Leonard kicked his leg out during his Raptors game winner. Or Kobe Bryant would also kick his leg out on shots like that.
And Aaron Gordon clearly made contact with Butler’s foot which violates the landing space rule.
I know it doesn’t matter as much to most people since the Nuggets won the championship that year, but the league/refs should’ve been held more accountable for blatantly trying to extend the Nuggets’ series against the Lakers and the Heat.
Denver and Miami played in the Finals? As an avid follower of this subreddit, I never heard about this. Who won?
Typical
[Defenders must give airborne shooters the opportunity to land safely.](https://videorulebook.nba.com/archive/defensive-foul-defender-doesnt-allow-shooter-room-to-land-2/)
Obviously the video is a slightly different scenario but Gordon is standing right in front of the line, right in Jimmy’s landing zone. Whether you like it or not its a dangerous play, which is why it was called a foul.
I can understand thinking it should be a no call, i don’t necessarily disagree with anyone who thinks that. I just want to provide a source as to why it was called a foul after the review
100% a foul. Butler is sprinting full speed to his right and turning over his left shoulder to shoot, he’s allowed to have his right leg come up to naturally align his shooting shoulder and hip to the basket in the air (“square in the air”).
AG enters his vertical cylinder and makes contact with Butler’s leg.
Walked through his landing area.
Once again the NBA decides that offensive players are allowed to initiate as much contact as they want with no repercussions, and it’s illegal for defensive players to exist on the floor.
r/nba mods are cowards and hypocrites.
This is Jimmy butler’s entire career