Boston Celtics
Hugo Gonzalez is the latest NBA player to take advantage of the lax rules regarding traveling in modern basketball.
NBA officials missed a blatant travel during the preseason game between the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics.LAPRESSE
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Basketball fans aren't exactly fond of how referees officiate NBA games. In general, many fans feel that referees call too many ticky-tack fouls, rewarding players who embellish contact in order to get to the free throw line.
But over the past few years, fans have turned their attention to another matter: Players are getting away with taking way too many steps on certain plays. There have been countless instances of blatant travels going uncalled, for whatever reason. The NBA never communicated any new rules for traveling violations, yet refs seemingly don't care if players take an extra step.
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Hugo Gonzalez gets away with an utterly blatant travel during Celtics-76ers game
Boston Celtics guard Hugo Gonzalez tested the limits in an unprecedented way on Friday night, though. During the Celtics' game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Gonzalez looked to take a whopping five steps on his way to a fastbreak layup. A travel wasn't called, and the basket counted.
Fans were in utter shock, and the video of the uncalled travel went viral on social media. Some fans tried to argue that Gonzalez was in the process of gathering the ball before the alleged violation. But even if the gather steps aren't counted, he still took at least three or four steps without dribbling once he got possession of the ball.
"Letting them play" is one thing, but letting players get away with clearly breaking the rules shouldn't be a thing in an elite league like the NBA. Players will keep taking advantage of it until refs start being more strict, though.