Mark Cuban has been busy refuting Paolo Torre's accusations against Steve Ballmer and the Los Angeles Clippers . Still, he was able to complain about Anthony Edwards during his recent appearance on the "Road Trippin" podcast, calling him out for stepping on the free-throw line each time he shoots his foul shots.
"Watch Anthony Edwards when he takes a free-throw shot. Watch when he shoots his free throws. Every single time, he steps over the line, every time. And if you remember back in the day, I used to send in tapes on Shaq, and they started calling it, and he had to fix his free throws," said Cuban.
In 2001, Cuban called out then Los Angeles Lakers star Shaquille O'Neal for stepping over the foul line before the ball hit the basket. After he sent video clips to the league's office, former NBA senior vice president Stu Jackson instructed the referees to keep a close look at O'Neal at the line and call a violation if he indeed crossed the line.
The Dallas Mavericks minority owner didn't promise to send videos of Edwards at the free-throw line, but he mentioned a specific game that the NBA could potentially review as proof.
"Anthony Edwards, we had a game against them where they were up like 93-92 with a few seconds left, he steps over the line and the ball goes in the basket. I'm like, 'This is the easiest call for a referee.' Just watch to see if he steps over the line, and they refuse to call it. Tell the league, refuse to call it," he added.
The NBA rulebook says the free-throw shooter can't go over the free-throw line until the ball hits the basket or backboard. Per Rule No.9: Free Throws and Penalties, Section 1- Positions and Violations, sub-section b:
"The free throw shooter may not step over the plane of the free throw line until the ball touches the basket ring, backboard or the free throw ends.
PENALTY: This is a violation by the shooter on all free-throw attempts, and no point can be scored.
If there is a violation and the free throw attempt is to remain in play, the opposing team shall inbound on either sideline at the free throw line extended. If both teams commit a violation during this free throw, a jump ball shall be administered at midcourt between any two opponents in the game.
If there is a violation and the free throw attempt is not to remain in play, then play will continue from that point. If an opponent also commits a violation (double violation), then play will also continue from that point."
Edwards seems to have a habit of moving forward and over the line after the ball leaves his hands while shooting free throws. There appear to be instances when he does violate the rule. However, it's unclear if he does it all the time.
Maybe Cuban was just playing mind games, even if the season is still over a month away. The Minnesota Timberwolves are among the teams that would hinder the Mavericks' chances of challenging the Oklahoma City Thunder in the West. Maybe he just wants to get into Edwards' head very early.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 15, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
