The NBA has slapped fines on Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton and Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris for incidents the other day.
In separate statements, NBA operations chief Kiki VanDeWeghe fined Walton US$15,000 for his criticism on officiating he issued publicly. The NBA official likewise slapped the similar amount to Morris for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Walton lambasted the officiating at the Lakers' loss to the San Antonio Spurs, saying the referees seems not to have been calling fouls that they should have. He cited the disparity of free throw attempts the Lakers had in the game that saw San Antonio escape with a 143-142 decision in overtime.
"Again they outshoot us on the free throw line. Thirty-eight Free throws. Watch the play where I got a technical foul," Walton lamented.
He asked reporters to look at the replay again to see what happened to LeBron James' arm. He said it was the same foul that Chris Paul and James Harden drew on the Lakers during their game early this week. The Rockets duo combined for 30 free throws against the Lakers, Walton pointed out.
"Then LeBron pulls up on a screen, somebody tries to fight over it. Same thing. Same thing they shot free throws on. Same thing. We are scoring 70 points a night in the paint," he said.
Walton also cited how rookie Josh Hart played in the game. Playing for 40 minutes, Hart took it strong to the rim in most plays that he had the ball, but Walton pointed out that the guard never had any fouls called at him.
"If we're gonna play a certain way, let's not reward people for flopping thirty feet from the hole on plays that have nothing to do with that possession," Walton remarked.
The Lakers coach prefaced his statements by saying he knew he would be fined for the comments he would be making. He added that he just could not take disparity anymore.
Wizards forward Morris was penalized for pulling the shorts of Seth Curry in the dying seconds of their game against Portland Trail Blazers.
Curry, who was in active play, took his spot at the corner near the bench of the Wizards, where Morris was. Morris was seen by cameras grabbing Curry's shorts in an apparent attempt to distract the Blazers guard who was trying to help his team come one with a victory. Washington prevailed over Portland 125-124.
