An Atlanta Hawks rookie was fined for a hard foul that saw him ejected from Wednesday night’s loss to the Miami Heat.
Sometimes things can get a little emotional during a blowout loss. The Atlanta Hawks learned that the hard way against the Miami Heat on Wednesday night. Taurean Prince was ejected and assessed a flagrant foul two for his hard foul on Heat center Hassan Whiteside in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s Heat win.
It’s unclear whether or not Prince had any ill intent in committing the foul, it didn’t look like it to me, but when a player goes down that hard referees tend to be severe with their punitive measures. Prince’s punishment did not end with his ejection.
Today it was announced that the NBA has fined Prince $25,000 for his role in the heated altercation.
Prince’s comments to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution suggest that the officials may have blown things out of proportion.
“I wasn’t trying to wrap him up at all,” Prince told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution when asked about getting his arm around Whiteside. “Yeah, it is what it is. It was unintentional. They made it more than what it is. Stuff happens. It’s the game of basketball. Everything is not perfect.”
James Johnson‘s reaction did not help matters.
Taurean Prince with the hard foul on Hassan Whiteside – James Johnson promptly loses his mind. #NBA pic.twitter.com/wCT7px4kc7
— FOX Sports: Hawks (@HawksOnFSSE) February 2, 2017
Johnson was also fined $25,000.
Prince’s effort can never be questioned. He gives his all whenever he steps onto the court. When a player plays with so much passion these things are going to happen occasionally. He’ll move on and learn from this situation.
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