Marcus Smart fined $35K for confrontation with refs following loss to the Nets
Just landed from Cleveland to see NBA fined Marcus Smart $35,000 for "confronting and verbally abusing the game officials" after Tuesday's OT loss to Brooklyn. He had to be held back by Celtic security... Considering there is no suspension, Marcus probably caught a break here.— Steve Bulpett (@SteveBHoop) March 5, 2020
"The amount of Smart’s fine also reflects his multiple prior violations of acceptable on-court decorum.” pic.twitter.com/f1XqGtGx6R— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) March 5, 2020
Marcus Smart had to be escorted off the court after having a heated conversation with the refs 😡 pic.twitter.com/63KeiFUPkG— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) March 4, 2020
Agree with Bulpett here that Smart was lucky in avoiding a suspension. The NBA frowns on players acting in an intimidating manner with officials. While Smart didn't go full loco on the refs, based on his prior infractions I feared he might get suspended. Instead he receives a fine, which supposedly was higher due to the previous infractions. One worries about Smart losing his cool in the playoffs and it costing him a suspension there, which would obviously be more damaging.
Based on @spotrac tracking, Marcus Smart is up to $318,848 in NBA fines (at last before appeals) and that number still seems low. pic.twitter.com/XLlzZhZO55
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) March 5, 2020
