Referee Tony Brothers has some explaining to do.
Following the Dallas Mavericks victory yesterday, Dallas guard Spencer Dinwiddie, who was hit with a technical foul during the second quarter, became extremely bothered by what veteran referee Tony Brothers allegedly said about him to his teammates afterward.
“If you watch the games, and I know that’s what refs are supposed to do, you’ll see I clap to get the attention of my teammates, things of that nature, so it was nothing personal,” Dinwiddie said after the game.
According to Dinwiddie, a Mavs teammate came up and told him that Brothers referred to him as a “bitch ass motherf—–.”
After being called for a take foul, Dinwiddie protested the call to Brothers, saying he may have used a curse word but not in a derogatory manner.
“Everybody’s a competitor out there,” Dinwiddie said after the game. “I understand it’s the heat of the moment. I’ve definitely said swear words, but like if I was playing against somebody on the other team and they said that to my teammate, I would be like listen, ‘Hey, I’m right here.'”
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“But because obviously [referees are in] positions of authority and whatnot, you can’t necessarily ask for that address, so I’m just taking my fair stance and saying, ‘Hey, look, if you feel that way, fine by me, just say it to my face, like any other grown man.’ That’s all I want.”
The 29-year-old apologized to Brothers for the exchange and requested the fine money issued for technical fouls be rescinded in this case.
“I apologize to Tony Brothers for what seemed to keep him irate, which was a clap,” Dinwiddie said. “He thought it was disrespectful. If you watch the games, and I know that’s what refs are supposed to do, you see I clap to get the attention of my teammates, things of that nature, but it was nothing personal, so as a man, I would like to say I’m sorry first and foremost. And secondarily I would like to say, not only would I like my [fine] money back, but I would like to not be called a b—h ass motherf–ker to my teammates.”
Dinwiddie finished the game with 21 points on 8-of-17 shooting with seven assists and two steals in a 111-110 win for the Mavericks.
The team picked up a much needed victory that moved them to 5-3.
