Transcript: NBA Referee James Capers Comments to Pool Reporter after Rockets – Spurs game.

December 3, 2019

Pool Reporter Transcript

Crew Chief James Capers

Postgame – Houston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs

NBA Crew Chief James Capers met with pool reporter Mike Monroe from Athletic after the game between the Rockets and Spurs tonight. Here is a transcript of that interview.

Why did James Harden’s dunk not count and is it a reviewable play?

“Alright, when the play happened [James] Harden goes in for a dunk, and then the ball appears to us to pop back up through the net. When that happens, that is basket interference. To have a successful field goal it must clear the net. We have since come in here and looked at the play. He dunked it so hard that the net carried it back over the rim a second time, so in fact it did clear the net and should have been a successful field goal. As to could the play have been reviewed. It is a reviewable matter, but you have a window of 30 seconds to challenge the play during that timeout that he had and while they were protesting the call, trying to get clarification of it, that window passed so therefore it elapsed and they were not able to do it.”

Did they attempt to ask for a review?

“They were asking later at the end of the timeout is it a reviewable matter, but it was too later.”

Did you explain to them that it was too late?

“I can’t remember if I told them or not. I just told them what we had as a ruling on the floor.”