Dallas Mavericks have had a rather successful season, considering no one expected them to advance this far in the playoffs. However, when it comes to fair play, Mark Cuban’s franchise is embroiled in controversy. On Sunday, the NBA fined the Dallas Mavericks for the third time in the postseason for bench rules infractions. The incident involved Warriors’ Stephen Curry.
Stephen Curry committed an odd turnover in the third quarter of Game 2 as the Golden State Warriors were heading towards a win. The Warriors phenom, who is known for his exceptional offensive acumen, flung the ball out of bounds towards the Mavericks bench. However, the gaffe was not as awful as it appeared, given that Theo Pinson was wearing white, the very same color as the Warriors’ jersey, by the sidelines. He even stood up and raised his arm as if he was calling for the ball.
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As a result, the league levied a fine on Mavs of $100,000 for this offense. This is the third time this playoffs that the Mavericks have been penalized for this same issue, and the fines now total $175,000 as they increase every occasion.
The following has been released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/2QwEdJvNcY
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 22, 2022
?On multiple occasions, several players and a member of the coaching staff stood for an extended period in the Mavericks? team bench area, stood away from the team bench, and were on or encroaching upon the playing court during game action,? the league announced in a statement.
Despite the Stephen Curry situation and the fines, Mark Cuban is unfazed
Mark Cuban, the owner of the Dallas Mavericks, is one of the most passionate franchise owners in the league. The billionaire may be seen standing and cheering for his team alongside the players every home game.
He, however, is no stranger to NBA fines. He has been fined more than $3 million. This does not include the de facto sanction of $10 million imposed as a result of an inquiry into the Mavericks’ workplace culture.
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Cuban does not seem to be deterred by the league’s punishments. He shared a video of the Nets bench celebrating. He also retweeted a video of Draymond Green arguing with referees over a call, with the Mavs owner commenting, “Our bench is out of control!”
Our bench is out of control ! https://t.co/InNJPhDKuK
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) May 22, 2022
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Steve Kerr also shared his thoughts on this whole situation. “I don’t care as long as it doesn’t interfere with the game,” Warriors coach said Saturday, “I don’t mind, as love the fact that the Dallas bench is energetic and talking trash. That’s what the fans want to see. They want to see a team that cares and they want to see energy and chemistry. So I love that, but when they get in the way of the game that’s when they cross the line.”
Steve Kerr said only time he took issue w/Mavs bench was on Steph Curry turnover w/Theo Pinson in white standing next to where a GSW player would be. Kerr praised DAL bench for great energy & team chemistry. Mavs were fined 100k today for 3rd violation
— John Dickinson (@JDJohnDickinson) May 22, 2022
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The Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks will square off once again in Game 4. It remains to be seen whether the Mavericks bench has learned from the whole scenario.