Celtics star Jaylen Brown has been fined $35K for “public criticism of the officiating” following Saturday’s game vs. San Antonio, the NBA announced today (via Twitter).
The fine was anticipated after Brown went on a prolonged rant about the officials, including calling out crew chief Curtis Blair by name, after Boston attempted four free throws in the four-point home loss, compared to 20 for San Antonio.
“I feel like, honestly, they just got away with a lot, and I’m tired of the inconsistency,” Brown said, per ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. “I’ll accept the fine at this point. I thought it was some bulls— tonight. I think [the Spurs are] a good defensive team, but they ain’t that damn good.
“I hope somebody can just pull up the clips, because it’s the same s— every time we play a good team. It’s like they refuse to make a call then call touch fouls on the other end. That’s just extremely frustrating, bro. Like, we play hard. We were outplaying our expectations. We compete hard on the defensive end. Then they reward the other team with touch fouls. Then we go down there and guys are allowed to get away with … I hope, just somebody please pull it up.
“Every time we play a good team, the inconsistency is crazy. I’ll take the f—ing fine. Curtis, all them dudes was terrible tonight. I don’t care. They can fine me whatever they want. But it’s crazy. Every time we play a good team, it’s the same bulls—. Somebody please pull up the clips.”
The 29-year-old guard/forward finished with 27 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in 43 minutes. He shot 11-of-28 from the field and didn’t attempt a single free throw, which he noted to reporters after the game.
“I’m driving to the basket,” Brown said as part of a larger quote. “I’m physical. I don’t flop. I don’t shy away from contact. I go up strong. I’m athletic. And nothing. Zero free throws tonight. The inconsistency is f—ing crazy. Give me the fine.”
Brown is earning $53.1MM this season as part of a super-max extension, so the fine will have very little financial impact on the 2024 NBA Finals MVP.
What lies did Jaylen tell? 3rd and 4th free throws came with 37 seconds left in the 4th. A nice shot from JB at the flopping plague riddled through out the league too. Why are star calls or favourable whistles for curtain teams just accepted. Wasnt much better against Denver a few games before. The NBA don’t even try hiding manipulating the league any more. The favouritism for some is way out hand.
He said nothing wrong. 20fts to 4 is crazy disparity.
The league/refs probably look at match ups and decide how to call the games. Boston being in the East won’t be falling far, but they won’t want the Spurs, Lakers, or Nuggets to drop too far below OKC. They want the seeding races to be close.
The refs openly bias themselves against certain players and teams, it’s just accepted, and it’s been accepted for a long time. Sadly, I don’t see it ever changing.
$10k over the usual fine for pointing out the bad reffing.- Silver must have thought there was more evidence this time.
Because they can’t have the intelligent NBA players speaking out.
If Brown were a Laker, he’d go to the line 12 times a game.
Got that right. Thump City!!
I’m so tired of a 100+ billion dollar organization stealing money from the players with this stupid fine crap. If the officiating sucks the players have a right to call it out. The refs are professionals making hundreds of thousands of dollars they aren’t volunteers. Their performance should be just as available for criticism as the professional players when they preform poorly. The media should also not be allowed to ask questions about the officiating. The nba fines players for not being available to the media and then media asks questions that if the players answer honestly gets them fined. It’s just disgusting.
Moreover, Jaylen was 100% correct with the free throw differential. Boston dead last and gets way worse against the perceived good teams or playoff teams. Some youtuber did pull up some tape from that Spurs game and WOW, just WOW.
And I love the Spurs, only other ball club I have love for. Meanwhile there’s a ref in the G League who I believe had some NBA experience admitted to betting on games. Are you F-ing kidding me. How is he still a ref, even if it is the G League. He’s name is alluding me at this point and can’t be bothered looking it up, won’t change anything. The non national televised games is where the officials sting you the most and they think we’re stupid. The NBA has turned into pyramid money making scam. Can Rozier suit up in the G League….argh NOPE. How is that any different?
How much did the refs clear from the official sports book of the NBA?
Okay. So let’s start calling all of the fouls on everyone. Brown gets 5 or 6 a game for pushing the defender away to clear space just like every other “star”.
30th for free throw attempts and worse free throw differential in the league are the facts.
Ok, let’s be fair. Brown does get a couple of offensive fouls each game for on his drives. Why he makes 5 or so turnovers in each game. Brunson throws his head back when anyone touches him on a drive and it’s never an offensive foul.
I watched this game, here’s a message for Jaylen, if you shoot 44 threes you don’t get fouled.
Lol…jaylen has been credited with 54 drives combined v the Nuggets and Spurs. Four free throws against the Nuggets and zero against the Spurs. What game did you watch?
Adam Silver would’ve been great on the Walking Dead