Here's what you need to know: The Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors were embroiled in a tense NBA playoff game, and the visiting Clippers had a 98-96 lead when Stephen Curry got the ball with 7.8 seconds left.
Curry, the Warriors' budding superstar and sharpshooter, was defended by Chris Paul, the Clippers' established superstar and all-defensive first-teamer. Curry juked, then fired.
Air ball! Clippers win 98-96!
But, wait: Curry's on the floor. Did Paul foul him, or was it a flop? Let's get a closer look:
This view is deceptive. Paul clearly does put his hand on Curry's hip, but it's difficult to say he put any real pressure on the hip.
So was it clean? There's another issue at hand.
Mark Jackson on last play with Curry/Paul: "You're supposed to be able to come down…I'm not looking for an apology tomorrow though."—
Sam Amick (@sam_amick) April 25, 2014
Jackson, the Warriors' loose-lipped coach, was referring to the rule that shooters should have enough room to land while jumping straight up and down. That was a point of emphasis for NBA referees in the past, and it definitely qualifies as a defensive foul.
Did Curry have room?
It appears Paul's momentum carried him into Curry's landing area. Between that and the forearm, it's tough to say this wasn't a foul.
Curry, for his part, was half-humble.
Steph Curry said he felt the last play was a good look and felt it was a "50/50 call" that should have gone his way. #Warriors #Clippers—
Sean Cunningham (@News10Sean) April 25, 2014
The aftermath. (Kelley L. Cox, USA TODAY Sports)
Source : http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/04/nba-playoffs-clippers-warriors-chris-paul-stephen-curry-last-shot-foul
