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It’s only February, but JJ Redick may have already blocked the “Worst Release of the Year” award.
At the start of the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game between the Celtics and the Pelicans, the New Orleans shooting guard headed for the basket and fouled Boston rookie Aaron Nesmith. Redick, who picked up a technical foul on the previous possession for discussing a no-call, threw the ball in the direction of referee Josh Tiven and walked away without appearing to say anything .
AFTER: Hornets stun Warriors after Draymond Green’s late ejection
Boom. Second technique. Redick ejected.
Huh?
In a post-match interview with Athletic’s Will Guillory, Tiven explained why Redick brought T’d up so quickly:
Guillory: What happened with the first technical foul against JJ Redick?
Tiven: The first technique was for the use of profanity directed at an official resentful of a non-appeal.
Guillory: The second technical foul on JJ Redick, what happened on that one?
Tiven: The second technical foul was throwing the ball in the direction of an official with force.
Throw the ball forcefully? Like to throw the ball hard enough to hit its target?
That’s a pretty weak justification for Tiven. Redick didn’t shoot a chest pass through Tiven’s back. He tossed the ball to Tiven with a twist. The NBA should cancel this second technical foul.
Fortunately for the Pelicans, Redick’s early exit did not slow their return efforts. After leading the Celtics by no less than 24 points in the second half, the Pels rallied to claim a 120-115 overtime victory.
Redick finished the game with four points, three assists, a rebound and a ridiculous ejection.
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