During last night’s Celtics-Heat game, the Celtics were called for five technical fouls, but none was more controversial than the one assessed to Boston coach Doc Rivers in the second quarter with the Celtics down by five. Official Ed Malloy called the tech on Rivers, and replays showed that it was called for Rivers not going on an expletive-laden rant, but for saying “come on, Eddie.”

ESPN announcers Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy let Malloy have it, questioning the validity of the call for something as innocuous as “come on, Eddie.” Van Gundy said he couldn’t come up with a scenario that would necessitate a technical being called in the situation, and Breen brought up that “it’s a conference final!” Van Gundy’s closed by saying it didn’t matter if this was a “high school McQuaid Jesuit East high school game” (yes, he said high school twice), and that the foul shouldn’t be called. Van Gundy is known for honestly stating his opinion with regard to bad calls, but to hear Breen openly criticize the officiating was fairly surprising.

During an interview on the Dan Patrick Show this morning, Warrios coach (and former ESPN analyst) Mark Jackson said that in situations like this, an official will usually tell the coach, “that’s enough” and any further complaining will lead to a technical, which may be the situation in this case. The logic almost reminds me of a “third strike” policy, but less clarified. If that was the case in this situation, it makes sense. But if there was no warning issued to Rivers (the coach said it was the worst technical of his career)… it really doesn’t

[h/t: SI Hot Clicks]

About Joe Lucia

I hate your favorite team. I also sort of hate most of my favorite teams.

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