Fred Hoiberg suggests Isaiah Thomas habitually travels (video)

After losing a second game in a row to the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg found a specific reason to vent.

The Chicago Bulls took a 2-0 series lead over the Boston Celtics, but in line with Rajon Rondo’s thumb injury they’ve dropped two games in a row. After a tough week personally, Celtics’ guard Isaiah Thomas had 33 points (12-for-13 from the line) with 7 assists and 4 rebounds in a 104-95 win Sunday night.

Bulls’ coach Fred Hoiberg, perhaps out of frustration after a loss, was complementary of Thomas to start. But then he quickly turned to why it’s so hard to guard the diminutive guard.

Hoiberg’s classification of Thomas being able to “discontinue his dribble”, take a few steps and start dribbling again would be one of the textbook definitions of traveling. But NBA referees don’t call traveling very often, if at all, unless it’s blatant like a player leaving his feet and landing with the ball. The classic “Euro-Step” we see players do, for my money, is a traveling violation that is never whistled.

The NBA does not take kindly to criticizing officials (see Grizzlies’ head coach David Fizdale’s “Take That For Data” rant last week, and the resulting $30,000 fine). So Hoiberg is sure to take a hit to the wallet in the next few days.

Thomas was asked for his reaction to Hoiberg’s comments, and after an incredulous look he said all he needed to say.

Next: Three takeaways from Celtics-Bulls Game 4

The referees may keep a closer eye on Thomas carrying the ball, as Hoiberg suggested he was told. But seeing it and calling it are two different things, and it’s hard to see rampant traveling called on one of the best players on the floor.