LeBron James loses the ball on the final play of the game. (AP)
It was the kind of play that usually goes LeBron James' way, particularly playing at home against an upstart team like the Bulls.
But when the Cavaliers' superstar drove to the hoop in the final seconds Thursday night with Cleveland trailing 86-85, the referees swallowed their whistles despite contact from Luol Deng and Joakim Noah. James lost the ball out of bounds with 0.2 seconds remaining, and the Bulls (3-2) came away with a big early-season road victory.
"I felt a push from Deng, and I felt some contact up top from Noah,"
James told reporters. "Enough to put me on the free-throw line? Yes, but it is a
judgment call from the refs, and he saw what he saw."
Watch the NBA.com video of the play (around the 2:28 mark) after the jump and get more of the Lebron and the Cav's reaction at Cleveland.com
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Man the most overrated player in the league strikes again...
Come on guys. Lay off LBJ. He was asked a question and he answered it. God forbid a guy gives his opinion to a question when it's asked.
Was it a foul? Doesn't matter. Not anymore.
Did the Bulls mistakenly get called for a 24-second shot clock violation a few moments prior... Doesn't matter. Not anymore.
Refs miss plenty of calls. They can't be everywhere, can't see everything and are prone to human mistakes. Cleveland will be fine with the loss. Chicago still isn't a better team with the win. Both teams should still make the playoffs regardless.
...and yes, I am a Bulls fan...
Who do you think you are? Michael Jordan?
Maybe he shouldn't have missed his 3 freethrows for the game and they could have won. Big stars make freethrows... Too bad he sucks at them
Yeah and in the 4th I saw Shaq absolutely hammer Taj to the floor while he blocked his shot out of bounds and not get a call.
Goes both ways Baby James!
Lebron should have had a bib on. Most baby's wear bibs ya know.
Actually. Cleveland should not have even had the ball as the ball hit the rim and the refs called a 24 second violation on the Bulls.
someone ask LBJ if he wants to give back the two free throws he was gifted when he was fouled in the lane and never even got into a shooting motion.
or if he wants to give back his two free throws when even the Czar of the telestrator said it was traveling and should have been side out
or if LBJ wants to give Brad Miller two free throws for being fouled two feet from the hoop in an actual attempt to get off a shot.
Someone please start a website showing videos of LBJ's traveling trips every single game.
This guy is big star all right - a big cry-baby star that is.
The shotclock violation by the Bulls right before this was an incorrect call, tough call for the refs but still incorrect. The game would've been over anyways LEBRON.
LeBron's crying about not getting the call is pathetic. Do you know what Jordan would have done if he felt he didn't get a call. He would not have cried to the media. Instead, he would wait until the next game between the two teams and drop at least 40 on them. Just like he said in his acceptance speech, he felt slighted by someone then he got his revenge on the court, not by crying to the media. That's why MJ will always be better than LeBron!
Here's the exact soundclip of Lebron's quote:
http://simplythebest.net/sounds/WAV/sound_effects_WAV/sound_effect_WAV_files/baby_cry.wav
"LeBron: I should've been at the line"
Shoulda made the shot ya girl scout
If Lebron wants to see a push, tell him to check out Shaq's play on Taj earlier in the game that was a no call. Sorry the game didn't go the "King's" way. All we are witnesses to is him being a baby.
albert you are right, lebron was whining about this play. but you are crazy to say that you are almost to the point of watching professional wrestling. this is the most absurd thing anyone has said. first of all, jordan earned everything he won. if you can prove to me that the refs were hands off with jordan then go for it. your statement is an opinion. just like it is with shaq. your eyes only see what your opinions and mind want you to see. have fun watching vince mcmahon with the other mouth breathers that like wrestling. the nba is great and the drama game in and game out is something to be cherished.
I agree with albert
I'm sorry Lebron...but the officials were not calling fouls for the last two minutes of the game, otherwise, Brad Miller, Luol Deng and Derrick Rose all would have been on the line! Besides, the replay clearly showed you NOT in control of the ball and the time contact was made!
What a whiny baby. Lebron is the new Jordan, crowned the king of the NBA by the league. Referees are hands off for him just like they were for Jordan and Shaq. If it was later in the year, they would have definitely made the call. The NBA sucks, having declined almost to the point of being like professional wrestling.
The Cleveland Cavaliers won't win a championship until after they trade Lebaron James. What a sissy.
Oh, yeah. It was LeBron's non-travel call after KH's foul that they really missed!
I watched the game and Lebron's drive in slo-mo. LBJ said it right - it's a judgment call. The refs got it right. LBJ really did not dispute the call; it's a judgmentcall. And I am a Cavs fan.
Come on Lebron! There was a foul earlier in the game called in your favor where nothing but your jersey was touched....barely. Such a whiner.
Lebron would look good in Celtic green.
'Yo Bron, come play for the Jazz, you'll get the call every time ~