Smith tried to defend the inbound passer, then ran up the court with the kids, waving his arms to call for the ball.

WSJ: Chandler has 20 boards again, Knicks rout Pistons

New York's identity, which underwent a significant change this season when the team moved to small-ball, might call for younger, more up-tempo personnel that excels at creating ample space on the court.

WSJ: The Knicks' Burning Questions

The Hawks held that margin and had the ball with 22 seconds left, but the Knicks benefited from a questionable offensive-foul call on Atlanta's Smith that gave them the ball for Anthony's game-winning shot, wrapping up his fourth 40-point game of the season and his 29th straight game over 20 points, tying a franchise record.

WSJ: Who Needs to Play Defense?

The idea that he might have voted otherwise if he were not chief justice suggests that a "strike" was changed to a "ball" because of concerns for how the straight call would be perceived.

WSJ: McGurn: Chief Justice Roberts Taxes Credibility

At Euro 2012, for instance, England benefited from a missed call when John Terry didn't quite clear a ball off the line in time against Ukraine.

WSJ: Heard on the Pitch