Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick went directly to the NBA with concerns over a controversial play between his team and the Boston Celtics in a game on Sunday, February 22 that serves as a microcosm for a potentially larger issue across the league.
Celtics player Neemias Queta put his hand threw the net, reaching inside of and over the rim, during an attempt to defend a shot by LeBron James during the first half of the Lakers’ 111-89 loss to Boston in Los Angeles on Sunday night. Redick was visibly angry and ran out onto the floor, grabbing the net in an attempt to show the referees exactly what Queta did.
On Monday, Dave McMenamin of ESPN reported that Redick spoke with Monty McCutchen, a former NBA referee and the league’s senior vice president of referee development, about the issue and got an answer that surprised him.
“I talked with Monty this morning, got some great explanations on some stuff I had questions on. And truthfully, like, he said it wasn’t a goaltend,” Redick said. “I don’t know that we want to endanger our guys’ fingers. But … if I was Luke Kornet or [Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs], I would literally — every time somebody took a shot — I’d stick my hand up in the rim and just not jostle it. Because I think it’s an incredible deterrent.”
Redick continued to elaborate further on McCutchen’s explanation after a follow-up question from a different reporter.
“It’s a new thing for me to learn,” Redick added. “You’re allowed to stick your hand up into the rim (through the basket) on a shot. … But as long as, like, the rim is not pulled down, I guess. But, yeah, you can jostle the rim. That’s the explanation I got.”
The play did not cost the Lakers a win against the Celtics. However, the rule could potentially have implications during meaningful moments of regular-season and playoff games to come this year.
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