NBA players and referees have a love-hate relationship. Each and every night there’s some angst on the hardwood as it pertains to how the game is being officiated and what you can and can’t get away with. After every foul call it seems players are arguing they did nothing wrong when in most cases it’s pretty obvious they committed the infraction they were whistled for. At times players become overzealous and overly demonstrative in their reactions to certain calls, which in turn leads to technical fouls and subsequent ejections sometimes.
On Friday in Dallas, Mavericks guard Spencer Dinwiddie was whistled for a technical foul. As Dinwiddie expressed his disapproval of the call, a Mavs teammate reported that longtime official Tony Brothers referred to Dinwiddie as a “bitch ass motherf—er.”
Not exactly the nicest words when referring to a player, but in Brothers’ defense players call refs things like that all the time. It just so happened the shoe was on the other foot this time.
After hearing what Brothers said about him, Dinwiddie had this to say in his postgame presser:
“Everybody’s a competitor out there. I understand it’s the heat of the moment. I’ve definitely said swear words, but like if I was playing against somebody … [that] said that to my teammate, I would be like, listen, ‘Hey I’m right here.’ But because obviously referees are in positions of authority and whatnot, you can’t necessarily ask for that address, so I’m just taking my fair stance and saying, ‘Hey, look, if you feel that way, fine by me, just say it to my face, like any other grown man.’ That’s all I want.”
Dinwiddie continued, “I’m not even mad at the language. Everybody has said things before when they are upset or feeling sensitive or hurt. That’s fine. Just say it to my face.”
Spencer Dinwiddie starts his postgame presser with a special message for Tony Brother and the NBA about his Technical Foul. pic.twitter.com/DnrqoJsjsC
— Nick Angstadt (@NickVanExit) November 5, 2022
Dinwiddie wants Brothers to call him that to his face, and if he did it could possibly escalate pretty quickly. Either way, Brothers saying that to a teammate of his isn’t a good look.
Dinwiddie Showed Up Brothers With A Clap After A Foul Call:
Refs hate nothing more than to be shown up after making a call. It’s considered undermining their authority, and that’s what Dinwiddie did. Following the game, a remorseful Dinwiddie issued an apology and explained his motives.
“I apologize to Tony Brothers, for what seemed to keep him irate, which was a clap,” Dinwiddie said. “He thought it was disrespectful. It you watch the games, and I know that’s what refs are suppose to do, you see I clap to get the attention of my teammates, things of that nature, but it was nothing personal, so as a man, I would like to say I’m sorry, first and foremost.
“And secondly I would like to say, not only would I like my fine money back, but I would like to not be called a bitch ass motherf—er to my teammates.”
Tony Brothers will not be made available to the media tonight in Dallas, NBA says, because pool reporter requests are only granted for rules clarification interviews. https://t.co/WtLXE8r55h
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 5, 2022
Mavs Coach Jason Kidd Wants To Clear Up Misconceptions:
Upon hearing of the exchange, Kidd talked about the respect Brothers has earned, because of work ethic, integrity and longevity. But he also said he wanted to get to the bottom of it and although it’s a bit of a sensitive subject get it worked out going forward. Kidd is no dummy and he knows how refs can determine the outcome of games, and he wants to get the benefit of the doubt on some calls.
He has the juice 🧃
Fourth game of the season with 20+ points for @SDinwiddie_25. #MFFL pic.twitter.com/v3YcNX5Fdo
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) November 5, 2022
Smart move by the head coach.
