The Hawks/Raptors Issue - Al Claims He Touched the Ball

[Fizdale]

Another protest??? Toronto is leaning towards compiling a complaint on a game protest regarding to their OT loss to the Hawks. The clock started earlier before it went to tj's hands- BUT AL HORDFORD SPEAKED OUT. Ï've touched a part of the ball" But did he???

Globe And Mail -
Could the Hawks be subject to yet another protest?

According to the Globe and Mail, the Raptors are still considering filing an official protest regarding how they lost to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night.

According to the report, it appeared the game clock started a fraction of a second too early and cost Toronto an apparent win. T.J. Ford made a layup at the buzzer but it was waived away.

Teams have 48 hours to lodge a protest and it costs $10,000 (U.S.) to submit it to the league office.

"I think it counted, I would have to say we were [robbed]," Ford said after practice yesterday. "If you look at the replay, it's evident that they did start the clock early."

According to NBA spokesman Tim Frank, the clock was started because Hawks forward Al Horford tipped the ball after the pass was made by Delfino.

Some media links for ya buddys:



and

[Fizdale]

Well here is my opinion, Boston isnt safe when they face Atlanta at the first round, of coz the NBA "Where Amazing Happens" quote is the best way to describe it. First the Heat/Hawks Game and now this lol. Now, let's see. First, the raptors claimed that they mus win the game, THE CLOCK STARTED PREMATURELY before it got to tj's hands. Now, there was an article posted that R.O.Y Candidate Al Horford Claims to touch a part of the ball - reason why the keepers started the clock. Now the question is did he??? At the semi-video that I have posted above, IT DOESNT LOOK LIKE HE HAS TOUCHED IT, BUT IN THE PIC, IT LOOKS LIKE HE HAS TOUCHED IT. But imo, IT THE BALL WAS ONLY ON AL'S HANDS AND LOOKED LIKE DEPLECTED.

SO Im a go for a replay

[J@3]

He didn't touch it, he's full of shit. The picture looks like he's palming it because of the angle, you can tell from the ball protruding out the right hand side of his hand that it's actually not touching him because the trajectory doesn't seem to change paths at all in the original pass.

[Sauru]

i gotta agree with jae, i dont think he actually did touch the ball.

[Patr1ck]

That pass was on the mark. Such a pass would have been changed dramatically even if it had been nicked barely. Not to mention that any interruption in the balls path would disrupt it's rotation. Also, the clock was started perfectly at the moment TJ Ford received the pass.

[joejam999]

The first picture looks like maybe it hits his forearm but still goes right. The 2nd pic there is no way it touches his forearm it floats to the right of his arm. He did not touch it. I really want to see the Hawks in the playoffs but nope he didn't touch it.

Also, the clock was started perfectly at the moment TJ Ford received the pass.

The clock was at .6. It was at .4 when he grabbed it for the lay-in. I think it started a little early.

[Lamrock]

The Hawks need to redo this game also.

[Andrew]

The angle of the still suggests Horford got a piece of it but the video begs to differ. As Jae said, the trajectory doesn't appear to change.

[shadowgrin]

This makes a suitable case for the challenge system like in the NFL (as discussed in another thread).

[Skills]

This makes a suitable case for the challenge system like in the NFL (as discussed in another thread).

I second that. Anyway, it was nice of Al to visit TJ while he was in the hospital after he slugged him. But his "ball-touching" ( ) comment is just stupid.
The Hawks were obviously expecting CB4 or Jamario to dunk it, so they had to find an excuse for this play..
Anyway, the only way the Raps could've won that is if they pulled a Mike Brown and ran off the court.

[Drex]

I remember when .4 happened some people claimed that the clock started too late. It's a human controlling the clock, but we are not fast enough to make exact movements that quick.

[Andrew]

The current instant replay rules pretty much ensure that shots like Derek Fisher's are all on the level though. If the proposed expansions are made, there should be provisions made for claims that the clock started early or that a certain player did or did not touch the ball. A ruling could be made from the tape and the final possession could be replayed immediately if necessary.