LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers won Game 5 in their best of seven first-round series against the Indiana Pacers but it wasn't without controversy.
James blocked Victor Oladipo's shot with five seconds left to go in the game, but when the NBA released its Last Two Minute Report on Thursday night, it was deemed the ball hit the backboard first and should have been considered goaltending.
The Mayor of Indianapolis Joe Hogsett took exception to the block and outlawed goaltending in the city of Indianapolis.
Oh — one more thing. By executive order, I am proud to outlaw goaltending in the City of Indianapolis… for every player, on every team.
I’m ready for Game 6, are you? #Pacers #Together pic.twitter.com/JDKnufwWq9
— Mayor Joe Hogsett (@IndyMayorJoe) April 26, 2018
He signed an executive order ensuring that “unlike some cities, goaltending remains an illegal action in the game of basketball – for all players, on all teams, without exception.”
“Indiana is the center of the basketball universe, and sometimes that means we have an obligation to stand up and defend the basic rules of the game. With this Executive Order, I hope Indianapolis residents can be confident that our city is ready to watch our Pacers win Game 6 on Friday.”
With signing such a law, it sure seems like he also made it a law that the Pacers must win Game 6 on Friday night. If they don't, maybe the mayor will have to sign another executive order that outlaws those referees to ever participate in a game in the city limits again.
If the Pacers do lose Friday's game, it would mean that those refs wouldn't have to come back until next basketball season, because the Pacers season will be over.
If they win though, they would force a Game 7 back in Cleveland.