PHOENIX -- In what was not really a shocker, the NBA fined Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle $25,000 today for publicly criticizing the referees following Thursday's 100-97 loss at the Golden State Warriors.
Carlisle sent texts to reporters today, letting them know that he is in complete agreement with the NBA's decision to dock him a few thousand dollars.
"I spoke to the NBA office today and agreed that I should be fined for my comments following the Golden State game,'' Carlisle texted. "In this league we all have challenging jobs, and the job of the officials is one of the toughest.
"Those postgame remarks about the officiating were not appropriate and I accept the fine.''
Carlisle got upset when he thought a blocked shot by Warriors center Andrew Bogut against Mavs center Brandan Wright should have been whistled for a foul on Bogut. At the time, there were only 6.2 seconds left in the game and the Mavs were trailing, 98-97.
In his postgame press conference, Carlisle was hot under the collar.
“The game came down to the call that wasn’t made,’’ Carlisle said. “Brandan Wright got hit in the arm, and it’s obvious and it’s two nights in a row and it’s very tough to take with as hard as our guys are fighting to not be on the free throw line with a chance to go ahead with six seconds left in the game.
“I’m disappointed and I’m very concerned. Concerned about what’s happening at the end of games with the officials. I can only be honest.’’
The Mavs played that game without forward Dirk Nowitzki, who found out earlier Thursday that he had a strained right adductor.
“Dirk’s the Top 12 player in the history of the game, I would have to say that it’s tough (to play without him),’’ Carlisle said. “But look, we’ve played without Dirk a lot this year, we know what it’s
about.
“We’ve put ourselves in position, and again, whatever you want to call it at the end. Unlucky. Whatever you want to call it. Screwed. It happened.’’
By the way, the NBA released a statement Wednesday which, in part, said the officials missed a critical call that seriously affected Tuesday's Mavs-Portland game. In that contest, Mavs guard OJ Mayo was whistled for an offensive foul when he ran into Portland guard Ronnie Price with 1.5 seconds remaining in the game and the score tied at 104-104.
After that play, Portland forward LaMarcus Aldridge buried an 18-footer at the buzzer to bury the Mavs and win the game for the Trail Blazers, 106-104. But the next day the NBA released a statement saying Price should have been called for a block and Mayo should have gone to the line to shoot a pair of free throws.
With that tense situation on top of what transpired against the Warriors, Carlisle and his players were fuming.
“I’ve never been one to make it about the officials, so I don’t want to wallow in this too much, but it’s a fact,’’ Carlisle said. “Two nights in a row missed calls have really hurt and we’re disappointed.’’
-- Dwain Price
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