airball

airball

In basketball, a missed shot that does not touch any part of the basket. The shot looked on target but ended up being an airball, missing the basket by a foot.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

air ball

n. a basketball throw that misses everything, especially the basket. Old Fred has become a master with the air ball. The net will never get worn out.
See also: air, ball
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • air ball
  • dead on target
  • shoot up
  • shoot up on something
  • shoot-up
  • shot up
  • dinner basket
  • give it one's best shot, to
  • be shot to pieces
  • be shot down in flames
References in periodicals archive
The first-time guest at a basketball game learns from others when to chant "airball" and enjoys the game all the more for chanting.
Chapter 8 Involving the guest: coproduction
ATLANTA-As far as home textile licensees are concerned, the National Basketball Association has thrown up a big airball in 1998.
GAME CLOCK TICKING FOR NBA LICENSEES AS LOCKOUT THREATENS SEASON
NEW YORK (AP) -- Dirk Nowitzki scored a season-high 14 points in what might have been his final appearance at Madison Square Garden, Luka Doncic warmed up after an airball on his first shot in the arena to score 16, and the Dallas Mavericks routed the New York Knicks 114-90 on Wednesday night.
NBA: Dirk, Luka help Mavs rout Knicks
The last basketball game I played, LeBron James was still a rookie, so my first couple of attempts were airball, but on the third try, the ball hit the board and swoosh!
That Fusion feeling
The last of Semerad's treys gave the Texters a 105-103 lead, before Joshua Smith sealed the deal with a putback of a Jayson Castro airball as the series many saw will go the distance could have an ending on Thursday when Game 3 is played at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
TNT blasts Gins, up 2-0; Pivotal Game 3 duel for San Miguel, Star
Alaska won the tap, but Casio -- to highlight his offensive struggles in the series -- threw up an airball from three-point range as the buzzer sounded, triggering a huge celebration in the stands among the San Miguel faithful.
San Miguel bags PBA Philippine Cup
He threw up an airball on a third-quarter free throw but made the second, and sat out the fourth with the Knicks comfortably ahead.
Knicks rout C's for 8th straight; Anthony propels Atlantic leaders
North Carolina State upset Houston on Lorenzo Charles' dunk at the buzzer on Dereck Whittenburg's long airball. Jim Valvano raced crazily around the court.
UCLA move takes ex-Duck to hoops Mecca
The NBA Finals left its mark on the syndie landscape, particularly in the bigger markets, as access shows threw an airball against the championship games.
Summer heats syndie yakkers
Pat didnt even contest it, I didnt even see him," LaVine said of his late airball. "I rose over the top of him, I just air-balled it.
With chance to win, Bulls crumble in crunchtime
Before that, Guiao also cited a non-call on a driving Gabe Norwood, who threw up an airball from 10 feet.
Elasto Painters stop Boosters in Philippine Cup
Both teams had a chance to win it in the final seconds of regulation, but after a timeout, Garnett threw up an airball with 5.8 seconds left as the shot clock expired.
Tired Celtics prevail in OT; Tiebreaker is clinched
He scored his first NBA point on a free throw about 11/2 minutes into the game, and had his first airball two minutes later on a short jumper in the lane.
Denver rolls over Sonics in Durant's debut
(Won't basketball fans have something more pressing than moviegoing on their minds?) But the Touchstone release has enough across-the-board appeal to attract even those who don't know an airball from a hairball.
The 6th Man
Henry Walker threw up an airball that could have won it for NLEX before Lassiter buried that dagger trey.
Lassiter trey rescues SMB