The NBA sanctioned this Monday Jaylen Brownfigure of the Boston Celticswith a fine of $35,000 dollars after his strong statements against the refereeing after his team’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs. The guard himself seemed to anticipate the punishment, after publicly stating that he was willing to accept any sanction for expressing his annoyance.
The episode came after Boston’s 100-95 loss on Saturday night. In that meeting, The Celtics only made four free throws in the entire gamewhile Brown did not go to the line at any time, a fact that unleashed his anger in front of the microphones.
“I accept the fine at this point,” Brown said after the game, in an almost two-minute intervention in which he mixed his analysis with off-color words. “I think they are a good defensive team, but they are not that good. I hope someone can show the clips, because it’s the same shit every time we play a good team. “It’s as if they refuse to call fouls and then call minimal contact on the other side.”
Direct criticism and endorsement of your game
The four-time All-Star guard is going through a season with greater prominence due to the injury of his teammate Jayson Tatum, which has even placed him in early conversations about the Most Valuable Player award. Against San Antonio, Brown scored 27 points in 43 minutes, but it was not enough to stop the Spurs’ comeback, led by Victor Wembanyama, who scored 16 of his 21 points in the second half.
San Antonio made 20 free throws in the game, while Boston only made four. In addition, the Spurs committed 13 personal fouls against 18 called against the Celtics. Boston, in fact, is the team that shoots the fewest free throws per game in the entire NBA, with an average of 18.9, a figure that contrasts with its high volume of three-pointers, the second highest in the league, a style that usually generates fewer punishable contacts.
“I’m attacking the rim. I’m physical. I don’t exaggerate fouls. I don’t avoid contact. I go hard, I’m athletic, and nothing,” claimed Brown. “The inconsistency is crazy. Fine whatever you want.”
The player also pointed directly at one of the match referees, Curtis Blairwhom he mentioned by name. “Curtis, they were all terrible tonight. I don’t care. Let them fine me whatever they want,” he said. “It’s crazy. Every time we play against a good team the same thing happens. Someone please show the videos. “I’m furious at how the game was refereed.”
Brown closed his defense with a reflection on the impact of arbitration on the result. “If we can’t get to the free throw line and teams can be physical and get us out of our spaces, it’s hard to win games like that. We shot four free throws and lost by four points.”
The NBA, faithful to its policy of protecting refereeing, was quick to respond. The fine was made official on Monday, confirming that the league did not ignore the statements of one of its main figures.
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