I read this from SB Nation from a 2014 article. If the rules are still the same it could help shed some light on the call.
"To some degree, yes. The rulebook states that a defender needs to "get his torso directly in the path and beat him to the spot."
However, the notion that a player's feet must be entirely stationary in order to draw a charge call isn't really correct. Unlike most fans at home, referees don't look at a defender's feet and whether they're shuffling at the moment of impact. Instead, it's about whether the defender's torso is set in position.
So, players do need to get "set," but the common definition could use some tweaking." -
If it is indeed true that feet DON'T matter, which has been brought up by a number of commentators, then it was clearly a charge. Lebron's torso is upright before contact is made.
If it is indeed true that feet DO matter, which has been brought up by a number of commentators, then it was clearly a block. Lebron's right foot was sliding into place.
So the NBA needs to make an official statement as to which of the two is correct.
Edit: Actually, I just heard a great explanation from the League Official on NBA TV. Two things:
1. He stated that since his entire body (shoulders, torso, feet) were sliding before contact it's a block.
2. He said it's a close call. Close calls are always blocks. Tie goes to offense.
This would lean heavily toward being a block. He also said, the rule was confusing.
There is NO DOUBT that the rule on reviewing the foul is outrageous. I remember an Az Cardinal play many moons ago, where they reviewed a non penalty play (I think it was where the ball should be placed). As the lead official was announcing to the crowd the interpretation of the spot, threw his flag into the air and called a penalty. They found a penalty somewhere else on the field and called it against the Cards.
It was dumb then, it's dumb now. Billions of dollars floating around and they can't pull their heads out long enough to get a rule right (which the NFL already had gone through). Just another black eye for the NBA.