NBA referees have increasingly been letting some of the game’s most fundamental rules slide, particularly when it comes to traveling and double-dribble violations. These infractions, once strictly enforced, now often go uncalled, allowing players to carry or handle the ball in ways that would have drawn immediate whistles in the past. Still, just because officials are lenient doesn’t mean fans and analysts should turn a blind eye when obvious violations occur.
The list of missed calls seems to grow longer with every game, but Sunday night featured a particularly egregious example involving Jake LaRavia. In the third quarter, the Los Angeles Lakers forward pushed the ball up the court and attempted a pass to LeBron James, who was in a promising offensive position.
When James wasn’t ready to receive the ball, LaRavia gathered it and, instead of passing, began dribbling again; technically committing a clear traveling violation. According to Outkick, the call was so surprising that LaRavia himself was seen laughing in sheer disbelief.
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This wasn’t a close call that needed slow-motion replay
Everyone in Crypto.com Arena saw the double-dribble. The Memphis Grizzlies bench saw it. The announcers saw it. The fans saw it. Everyone, everyone, except the referee, who was staring right at the play and somehow let it slide.
LaRavia knew exactly what he did. He used to play for Memphis for three seasons, so he paused for a moment after the mistake. When no whistle came, he just kept playing. The Lakers have been struggling with players not running JJ Redick’s plays this season, but at least they got lucky with this call.
During the next break in play, cameras caught Jake LaRavia laughing on the bench, a moment that perfectly captured both his relief and disbelief. It was as if he couldn’t quite process what had just happened.
He had just committed a clear double-dribble, a mistake that would draw immediate whistles in any pickup game across the country, yet here he was, grinning and unbothered while the referees let it slide.
LaRavia had a great game despite the controversy. He scored 26 points and helped the Lakers come back to win 120-114. It was Los Angeles’ second win against Memphis in three days. While NBA players celebrate missed calls, one Browns star is ruthlessly chasing records with a very different attitude in the NFL.
Published: Jan 5, 2026 03:30 pm