There’s something that happened in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal between the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night in the Fiserv Forum that I just can’t seem to get out of my head.
The officiating has become a big topic in the Eastern Conference Semifinal between the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks
Marcus Smart and Giannis Antetokounmpo were tangled with each other underneath the basket, both falling to the floor as the play continued on in the other halfcourt.
Smart was unable to move with Antetokounmpo on top of him and Antetokounmpo wasn’t in a rush to even try to get back up. Long story short, Smart tried helping Giannis up while he prevented Smart from getting back on defense by holding him back by his hand.
Literally right in front of a referee and there was nothing said about it. It was deliberate, obvious, and quite shocking that there wasn’t a whistle blown at that moment (but then again, I shouldn’t be too surprised- it’s the NBA we’re talking about.).
The thing is, Giannis has the league in his pocket, especially the officiating. He knows he’s going to get the calls and plays bully-ball because of it. But there’s got to be a line that the NBA draws on what will be allowed for the “superstars” of this league.
There was a controversial shooting foul no-call in Game 3 with Smart at the top of the key being defended by Jrue Holiday. Everything shows Smart gathering himself in his shooting motion but the referees called it on the floor and only gave Smart two free throws instead of three.
Another situation was at the beginning of the game with Jaylen Brown and Giannis. Brown and Giannis went up for a rebound. Brown fell to the ground due to an elbow to the nose from Giannis. But it’s Brown who got charged for a foul on the play.
It just doesn’t make sense. For the sake of the sport, the NBA needs to do better.
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