The Cleveland Cavaliers ultimately winning Game 2 in overtime on Sunday was not enough for fans to let go of a controversial call late in regulation.
Superstar LeBron James, while turning in yet another epic performance, had a difficult time closing the game out.
He missed a potential game-winner at the end of regulation for a second consecutive game, this time when a drive into the teeth of the Golden State Warriors' defense led to a missed layup, amid plenty of contact. Initially covered by Andre Iguodala, James was also met by Klay Thompson and Draymond Green at the rim, with arms flying everywhere but no obvious foul on the play.
But that wasn't the main play in question on Channel 5 in Cleveland on Monday. Instead, a weatherman was upset about an earlier play, on which James was operating on the block against Iguodala. James turned to take a shot, losing the handle as Iguodala swiped across his arms, leading to a shot-clock violation. Mark Johnson was incensed with the non-call:
Johnson may have a point here, as Iguodala's defense was fairly egregious on further viewing:
At the same time, extended replays show James's foot movement before the non-foul was somewhat suspect, with a travel call potentially justifiable. A non-call for a non-call is not how refereeing is supposed to work, but Cavs fans may not have a gripe in this case.
