USA Today via Reuters
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 07: Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans looks on before an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards at Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 7, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 07: Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans looks on before an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards at Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 7, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The NBA has been receiving a lot of criticism for absurd calls this season. The league is being called ‘soft’ and the players are very frustrated by the referee’s calls. Many ex-players and fans have called out refs and asked them to show a tougher restraint.
The Detroit Pistons took on the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday. There was an incident in the fourth quarter which caught everybody’s attention. Frank Jackson had the ball and penetrated inside to lap the ball in. But he was met at the rim by his college teammate and friend, Brandon Ingram. Out of jest, Ingram shouted at his friend, who was down and he was about to pick him up. The refs called it as taunting and gave him a tech. This was Ingram’s second tech of the game, which meant an automatic ejection.
Brandon Ingram was ejected after picking up his 2nd tech for “taunting” former teammate Frank Jackson!
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) February 2, 2022
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Ingram was undoubtedly shocked at the call, and he didn’t even have words to say. Meanwhile, his friend just couldn’t stop laughing at the call. Everyone in the arena were in disbelief as the refs made the call.
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 31, 2020; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) shoots as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) defends during the second half at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
“League is Soft”- NBA fans are shocked at the call
Fans were no doubt furious at the call. This has been going on all-season and they took to Twitter to express their disappointment. Here are the best reactions:
They were former teammates at Duke. The league is so soft
— Lefty (@Matthew_Risser) February 2, 2022
Exact reason I say the NBA is soft and the refs killing the game. They were college teammates at Duke so obviously it’s nothing taunting about it https://t.co/lm7ErWlfzN
— MIKE LOWREY (TMC) (@Oscar__Mike) February 2, 2022
No way 😂😂😂 cmon man. They joking ref. It’s The Brotherhood https://t.co/8keorFE7sv
— Zion. O (@DukeNBA) February 2, 2022
Brandon Ingram on his technical: "I thought Frank was going to tell the refs we were homies. He didn't tell them."
— Christian Clark (@cclark_13) February 2, 2022
ingram ejected for some duke on duke taunting. come on man 😂 pic.twitter.com/pga7KCY8xc
— Hoops ON Tap (@SONTHoops) February 2, 2022
Me celebrating after ingram got ejected from the game! pic.twitter.com/B62tDSyvhU
— vexan (@treeshardar) February 2, 2022
Brandon Ingram got ejected off the funniest reaction all year 😂
— Dub (@adubba_dub) February 2, 2022
Ingram got ejected for that??? Silver got get control over his league.
— RIP Kobe 💜💛 (@Miya_AngelNO) February 2, 2022
Brandon Ingram was ejected for this 'taunt' directed toward his former teammate Frank Jackson. The two of them are friends. 😳🤦
(📽️: @BallySportsNO)pic.twitter.com/PRKw8c6iUy
— theScore (@theScore) February 2, 2022
I'm tired of these weak refs, Cade gets ejected for pointing, Jalen Green gets T'd up for talking shit after a dunk, now Brandon Ingram gets ejected for taunting???? NBA is cooked if they allow these refs to keep being allowed to go on a power trip whenever they please.
— Cameron (@SloppyBowser) February 2, 2022
They really ejected Ingram for that?
— Chels✨ (@realchels__) February 2, 2022
NBA need to change the rules about celebrating bruh Ingram got ejected for look at a man’s face whilst he was on the ground cmon @NBA
— Ahad Ahmed (@daha_doohey) February 2, 2022
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What has been going on this season?
This is not the first time this has happened this year. Cade Cunningham got ejected for pointing at his teammates after a dunk and the refs thought he was taunting. This has been going all season as players keep getting techs for silly reasons.
USA Today via Reuters
Nov 21, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) dribbles the ball up the court during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
The fans have not liked what they have seen from the refs. According to many fans, the NBA has to do something about these calls or the lack of them, otherwise, they will start to lose viewership. The players’ association could also try to speak with the refs to show a little more restraint about showing emotion.
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