Why don t they call travels in NBA basketball?

Believe it or not it's for the casual fan and the ability to have highlight plays. Imagine that Lebron just makes a huge poster dunk on someone but it doesn't count cause he accidentally took an extra step. Remember that the NBA is for entertainment and they are trying to bring in views and fans.If they called the game with 100% of the rules it could destroy the flow and ability to bring in fans. Heck I see point guards travel sometimes bringing up the ball. The inbounder will pass it to the PG and he takes like 3 steps before dribbling. That's a travel but see how that is sort of a worthless call. Thats why they don't call how it should all the time. Just like how refs might not call certain fouls toward the game or a superstar getting superstar treatment

It all comes down to whether the ref thinks that violation is big enough to get called

Two steps in the FIBA rules. In the NBA, you're allowed three. The first step is called a gather step. And anyways, stars will always get away with it lol

Players are allowed one gather step, but I've noticed a lot of no-calls as well, especially during the playoffs.