Well, he did ask for it.
Days after telling reporters he was willing to accept a fine from the NBA for disparaging league officiating, Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown has been penalized $35,000.
James Jones, the NBA’s executive vice president and the head of basketball operations, issued the fine Monday, citing ‘public criticism of the officiating.’
Of course, Brown is earning $53 million this season, so the lights will remain on at his home(s). But even given his wealth, fans couldn’t help but sympathize with a player who is forbidden to criticize NBA officials.
‘I mean that’s relative pocket change for an NBA player but still sucks,’ one wrote on X.
Several offered some version of: ‘They always penalize honesty.’
Jaylen Brown backs down Spurs rookie Dylan Harper in front of NBA official Nick Buchert
Jaylen Brown called out NBA ref Curtis Blair (pictured) by name after Saturday’s loss
Brown calmly thrashed refs after Saturday’s loss to the visiting San Antonio Spurs. Specially, Brown was upset that Boston only attempted four three throws during the 100-95 defeat.
‘I’ll accept the fine at this point,’ the 29-year-old MVP candidate told reporters after watching the Spurs go 14 of 20 from the free throw line.
‘I thought it was some bulls*** tonight,’ Brown continued. ‘They’re 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 they call touch fouls on the other end, and that’s just extremely frustrating, bro.
‘Every time we play a good team the inconsistency is crazy. I’ll take the f***ing fine.’
The 2024 NBA Finals MVP even went on to mention one official by his first name — Curtis Blair.
‘Curtis and all those dudes were terrible tonight,’ he said. ‘I don’t care. They can fine me whatever they want.’
The NBA regularly fines players who use profanity during interviews. Suns guard Jalen Green was recently fined $25,000 for using profanity during a teammate’s postgame interview.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla gives an earful to NBA official Jason Goldenberg on Saturday
Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reaches a loose ball before Baylor Scheierman #55 of the Boston Celtics during the second half on Saturday at TD Garden
That figure, while enormous for many, is not likely to hurt an NBA star with more than $200 million in career earnings.
‘The fine is a teachers (sic) salary,’ a Knicks fan wrote on X. ‘This world isn’t real.’
Brown found more sympathy among Celtics fans, many of whom offered some version of: ‘He’s not wrong!’
Others pointed out that Boston’s overreliance on 3-point shooting can result in fewer trips to the charity stripe, although both the Celtics and Spurs hoisted 44 attempts from deep on Saturday.
‘When you shoot 60 threes a game, you tend to get less free throws than the other team,’ one critic wrote on X.
Boston averages 42.8 3-point attempts per game, which is more than every NBA team besides the Golden State Warriors.
