When it comes to the first round of the NBA Playoffs, the series between the Boston Celtics and the Jimmy Butler-less Miami Heat figures to be one of the least competitive matchups.
But thanks to Brian Scalabrine, the rematch of the past two Eastern Conference Finals has already produced some of the playoffs’ most drama, as the Celtics analyst’s assertion that Heat coach Erik Spoelstra ordered a “code red” that resulted in a late foul on Boston star Jayson Tatum has caused chaos across the NBA media landscape.
For the uninitiated, the entire situation began when Heat forward Caleb Martin hit Tatum with a hard foul late in the fourth quarter of the Celtics’ 114-94 victory in Game 1 on Sunday. During the NBC Boston postgame show, Scalabrine made note that the foul in question came shortly after Spoelstra called a late timeout with the game’s outcome already in hand for Boston.
“I’m not trying to start nothing here, but Erik Spoelstra called a timeout with 1:30 down by 16, 30 seconds later that play happens. 30 seconds later? Why have you called a timeout at 1:30 down 16? Why is that play happening 30 seconds later,” Scalabrine said. “That looked shady to me. A code red.”
"Erik Spoelstra called a timeout with a 1:30 left down by 16, 30 seconds later that play happens… that looked shady to me."
Brian Scalabrine reacts to Caleb Martin's foul on Jayson Tatum pic.twitter.com/XRchYpbOVh
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) April 21, 2024
Scalabrine might not have been “trying to start nothing,” but he certainly did. On Monday morning, Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press — who covers the Heat — tuned into Scalabrine’s daily show with Frank Isola on SiriusXM NBA Radio, in which he made note of “The White Mamba’s” continued criticism of Spoelstra.
Isola then adds that Pat Riley is known for telling his teams to “make them feel you.”
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) April 22, 2024
This led to Isola responding, accusing Reynolds of acting as the Heat’s “pro bono defense attorney.”
It was a said as a compliment, Tim. You don’t need to be the team’s pro bono defense attorney every day. https://t.co/ask3fS1X9U
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) April 22, 2024
The madness didn’t stop there, with Scalabrine appearing on the Miami-based Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, where he defended his comments while verbally sparring with ESPN’s Israel Gutierrez. Scalabrine’s appearance elicited a reaction from former Heat forward Udonis Haslem, as well as ESPN’s Jorge Sedano, who took the former Celtics forward to task for his remarks.
This comparison that his commentary about Spoelstra is ok bc he wasn’t cool with Brown’s rough play vs Robinson months ago doesn’t hold water either.
Those two things are not the same. Accusing a coach of taking out a player out of huddle is not that scenario. That’s just…
— Jorge Sedano (@Sedano) April 22, 2024
But lest Scalabrine think that it’s only those with Miami ties who disagree with him, even Bill Simmons stated his belief that he didn’t think Martin’s play was dirty.
https://twitter.com/WheelerJaylen/status/1782401861128995183
Considering his experience as a longtime NBA player, Scalabrine’s opinion shouldn’t be discounted. But when even Bill Simmons disagrees with you on a pro-Celtics take, it might be time to dial it back a bit.
