Two expulsions in the same game, moreover at the very beginning of the season, this must not have happened often to the Celtics. However, that night, interim coach Joe Mazzulla and Grant Williams did indeed join the locker room before everyone else, and this nervousness is the symbol of a failed match on the Chicago floor.
” It is sad “ sorry Mazzulla. “We have to stay calm in all situations. In a situation where the game isn’t going your way and something like this happens, it only disrupts things further. Beyond what is happening, we must be better, more serene, and that starts with me. »
In fact, the replacement for Ime Udoka was expelled for having received two techniques in quick succession. ” I just tried to get the referees’ attention.” does he defend himself. “In times like this, when things don’t go your way, you just have to be more composed and behave better. »
As he did not really understand why he had taken two techniques, a referee came to justify this expulsion.
“After being cautioned with 4:53 left in the third quarter, he entered the pitch making unsportsmanlike comments and was given his first technical foul” explains Mark Davis in his report. “He didn’t leave the pitch and he kept pointing fingers and complaining. He was assessed his second technical foul and expelled in accordance with the regulations. »
For Grant Williams, it’s different (even if it’s very severe). “After we called a foul on Grant Williams, he jumped up and shoved the referee [Cheryl] Flores and he touched him intentionally. Per unsportsmanlike conduct regulations, he was expelled. »
https://dai.ly/x8ew5yk
Witness to the expulsions of his coach and his teammate, Jayson Tatum believes that it was simply a day without.
“At the moment, it can be complicated, but you just try to stay united” says Tatum. “I am simply frank: there are 82 games then the playoffs. There will be nights like this. We just want, as often as possible, to keep our cool because we are human. It’s like you had a bad day at work. Everyone has bad days at work. We could have reacted differently. It’s just that there are 24,000 people watching us having a bad day at work. It happens. »
Same speech at Marcus Smart, a regular of big anger. “We are human, and it happens… We try to reduce the number of errors as much as possible. Do not have many and move on. It was a good test for us, and we will just have to answer it”.
