“Smfh some calls you just not supposed to miss.” Jayson Tatum was visibly frustrated after the official missed the foul call on Giannis Antetokounmpo as he stepped into the Celtics star’s landing space during a block attempt. While JT tweaked his ankle on the play, he fortunately did not get seriously injured. But the no-call definitely put the referees under the spotlight as Warriors’ legend Gilbert Arenas questioned their focus during such incidents.
As Tatum pointed out, it is the officials’ job to protect the shooters and make sure they get a safe landing space on every shot attempt. However, Arenas was left wondering, “If you’re a ref, are you looking up first then down? Like how like I gotta ask the ref that cuz if you’re shooting, I wanna make sure the person don’t hit this part (hand) first right.” Yes, while a player rises for a shot, the first thing the referee likely checks for is contact on his hand and upper body to see if there is a potential foul. And the focus might not immediately go to their landing space.
Moreover, Agent Zero claimed there is only one reason an official would check for such fouls, “If I’m a ref, I’mma make sure like the shooter is up like if I can see the shooter or the defensive player like moving into his direction, I’mma look but I don’t know what will make me look down unless I already know this is the type of player.” While there have been a few players in the past who had a reputation of intentionally stepping into player’s landing space, these fouls are rare. So, Arenas understood Tatum’s frustration on the Gil’s Arena podcast as he revealed his perspective about the officials’ dilemma.
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
Gilbert Arenas’ colleague disagrees with him: “No Excuse to Miss It”
Unlike Arenas, Kenyon Martin was not taking the referees’ dilemma as an excuse as he questioned, “If you looking at me, can you see my feet without looking down?” to which Gil replied “Yeah.” Martin believes that an official should be able to see the player’s entire body with their peripheral vision during a shot attempt.
via Imago Nov 8, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; NBA referee Natalie Sago (9) and referee Brian Forte (45) and referee Simone Jelks (81) meet in the middle of the court during the second half between the Miami Heat against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
And since getting into someone’s landing space could lead to a major injury for the shooter, Martin remarked, “There is no excuse to miss it… you’re supposed to be looking for that. Doesn’t matter if that’s the kind of player he is or not.” Moreover, he called out official Natalie Sago, who was standing right in front of Tatum and Giannis during that play but missed the call, “She wasn’t even looking.”
Even head coach Joe Mazzulla was not pleased with the no-call, “That’s ridiculous. Can’t miss that. Can’t miss that.” Do you think Jayson Tatum’s frustration is justified?