Saturday night’s match between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Charlotte Hornets was a close one, but in the end the Bucks lost 115-114. The pain of defeat increased further when coach Doc Rivers criticized the referee, due to which the NBA fined him ₹25 lakh (about $25,000).
This season has been quite challenging for the Milwaukee Bucks so far, and this incident proved to be another setback for them. But there are funny things hidden in this whole matter as well. Let’s know in detail what happened on Saturday night that became a headache for the Bucks and their coach.
Controversial decision: Slipping also became a foul?
In the last moments of the match, with just 7.3 seconds left, Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo was called for a foul on Charlotte player LaMelo Ball. This decision shocked everyone.
LaMelo Ball was sent to the free throw line, and he comfortably hit both shots with accuracy, giving his team a one-point lead. The Bucks got a chance to win in the last seconds, but he missed the shot.
This decision was a big blow not only for the Bucks but also for their fans. And, coach Doc Rivers is not one to bear this quietly.
Doc Rivers’ anger burst out
In the post-match press conference, Doc Rivers lashed out at the referee. He said that this decision was wrong and unfair against his team.
“LaMelo Ball slipped. Just slipped. There was no one around him,” Rivers said. “We would have caught the ball and the game would have been over. But, no. Now in two consecutive matches we have been the victim of wrong decisions of the referee.”
He further said, “In the last match we were lucky that the Detroit player missed the free throws. But this time LaMelo Ball made both the shots.”
Referee’s confession: Yes, a mistake was made
After the match was over, referee team chief Curtis Blair admitted the mistake. He said, “During live play, we called a foul for leg-to-leg contact. But the postgame review found that there was no illegal contact.”
So, in short, the referee admitted that he had made a wrong call. But this ‘sorry’ for the Bucks and their fans cannot turn their defeat into a victory.
Penalty: NBA’s strict rule
After these statements of Doc Rivers, the NBA fined him ₹ 25 lakh. This is not the first time that a coach has suffered a fine after criticizing the referee.
The NBA believes that publicly criticizing the referee hurts the dignity of the game. However, Doc Rivers’ fans are praising his honesty and emotional reaction.
Milwaukee Bucks: The struggle continues
This season of the Bucks has been much below expectations so far. Their team’s record is 4-9, and the lack of consistency in their game is clearly visible.
The team’s star player Giannis Antetokounmpo has left no stone unturned in his performance. But, how long will he alone carry the team forward? Injuries, lack of strategy, and now the referee’s wrong decisions have put the Bucks in trouble.
Fans’ reaction: Memes and funny tweets
This whole matter shook social media. Bucks fans expressed their anger and disappointment on Twitter. At the same time, some people expressed their views through funny memes.
One user tweeted, “If slipping can be a foul, then I need foul calls on my bathroom tiles.”
Another wrote, “It’s time to make the referee wear glasses. Or, bring in AI referees. No emotions, just right decisions.”
Way forward: Challenging times for the Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks have to forget this defeat and move on. Their next match is against the Houston Rockets on Monday. It has become extremely important for coach Doc Rivers and his team to win.
The team should not just depend on the referee’s decisions. They have to correct their mistakes, especially by performing strongly in the last moments.
Will the Bucks be able to bounce back?
Even though this season has been disappointing so far, the Bucks have every chance to come back. With a player like Giannis, their team has no shortage of potential.
Doc Rivers needs to pull the team out of this disappointment and motivate the players.
A little humor, a little patience
Doc Rivers’ reaction teaches us that sometimes, it is important to find laughter even in anger. There was anger in his statement, but his truth and humor connected the fans.
Bucks fans are hoping that their team will avoid slipping now—whether it is on the court or in the referee’s decisions. As a funny fan would say, “Next time just watch for slam dunks, not fouls.”
So, the next step for the Milwaukee Bucks is to pick themselves up, learn from their mistakes and get back to winning ways. And yes, it would be fun if the referees also exercised a little more caution in their decisions!
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