Wizards poke fun at LeBron

Jan 6, 2009 - 12:01 AM WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Caron Butler and the Washington Wizards aren't buying what LeBron James is selling.

James was called for traveling on a drive for a potential game-tying layup with 2.3 seconds remaining in the Cleveland Cavaliers' 80-77 loss to the Wizards on Sunday.

According to the Washington Times, James did not think he took an extra step, instead calling his move a legal crab dribble.

Butler did not agree.

"A crab dribble is a travel," Butler told the Times. "That's the hottest thing on the market right now - is the crab dribble a regular dribble?

"I think he established his pivot. Once you go up, you can go up, but he switched his pivot again, so obviously that's a travel. I couldn't do it in AAU, couldn't do it in college, and obviously can't do it now."

Wizards forward Antawn Jamison also felt it was the right call, saying that James always moves his pivot foot when he takes the power - or crab - dribble in the post.

"I know what a travel is," Jamison said. "He saw it a couple of times and said he didn't travel, but we all know what a travel is, and they have tape to prove the history of that signature move that he has, but it was a travel, hands down.

"When he beats us on end of game situations and finds a way to get the job done, we give him credit, but that didn't happen last night and the right call was called."

Washington and Cleveland have developed a rivalry over the past few years.

The Cavaliers have eliminated the Wizards in first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs in three straight seasons. Wizards guard DeShawn Stevenson even called James overrated at one point.

Either way, Cleveland (27-6) most likely will get the last laugh, as it sits 19 1/2 games ahead of Washington (7-25) entering Monday's action.