A technicality could decide the outcome of NBA games. That’s the reason referees are regularly dragged for accountability in the modern era. One wrong call and a team could suffer a dramatic loss. However, until now, there were just numerous missed traveling violations that were held against the officials. But apparently, they are staring at Anthony Edwards’ mistakes and not penalizing him.

Mavericks’ minority owner Mark Cuban riled up the ‘controversy’. He recalled a close game between the Mavs and the Timberwolves where he noticed, “Watch when he shoots his free throws. Every single time he steps over the line – every time,” Cuban said on Road Trippin’. Until the ball goes in the net, a player can’t cross the free-throw line.

Cuban has never shied away from showing his passion. And in a close game, “93-92” as he recalls the score, the billionaire wanted some justice. In the past, he was successful. “We sent in the Shaq and they started calling it, and he had to fix his free throws,” he claimed. Frankly, making his weakness even more uncomfortable was probably one of the few strategies to curb ‘Superman’.

However, in Anthony Edwards’ case, Cuban did call it out to the referees. All he got in response was to do the same as he did with Shaquille O’Neal all those years ago. “Tell the league,” one of the officials said to him. Judging from Cuban’s love for Dallas, he might just do that if provoked even further.

Could it cost Anthony Edwards? Initially, maybe, but he is a superb free-throw shooter who won’t mind watching his step. He’s a career 80% from the spot, so those minor adjustments shouldn’t affect him as much as they may have done so for the Big Diesel. But nonetheless, it should be taken into consideration because of how decisive free throws do prove to be in the modern era.

Shaq and Mark Cuban didn’t like each other

Not only Cuban, but the entire NBA had a Shaq problem. They couldn’t do much with a 7-footer with surreal power and speed. Yet, the former Mavericks majority owner tried his best. Notably, their first interaction began with smack-talking. Cuban tried to derail the Big Diesel during games by being in his ears.

Likewise, they didn’t start on great terms. But that’s changed now. Shaq has hosted Cuban on his podcast, and the two have had a great bond for over a decade.

So much so that Shaquille O’Neal’s first call after an exit from LA became certain was to the Mavericks owner. The plan was to have him and Dirk Nowitzki join forces. Imagine a tall forward with shooting prowess, which was unheard of, and a big man’s big man together. There’s a good chance Kobe Bryant might not have had a 5-4 flex over the Big Aristotle. Sadly, though, the Lakers weren’t going to give more power to the West.

“Mitch Kupchak didn’t want to trade me to Mark so they ended up [sending] me to Miami,” Shaq later told Nowitzki.

A silver lining was Shaq’s title in Miami with Dwyane Wade. It gave him the needed confidence after a sour split with the Lakers. Yet, it’s also a big miss for the NBA community to have not seen Nowitzki and Shaq compete together.