NEW YORK — On Monday, the NBA issued a $25,000 fine to Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome for publicly criticizing the officiating following his team’s 133-129 overtime victory against the Portland Trail Blazers. Jerome expressed his frustration over the game, which saw both teams called for a combined total of 53 fouls, resulting in 70 free throws being shot. Each team had 35 free throw opportunities, a significant increase from the league’s average of around 40 fouls per game.
Jerome didn’t hold back on his views regarding the officiating, particularly singling out referee Natalie Sago. “I thought the refs were really bad tonight, especially Natalie; she was really bad,” he commented. Jerome explained that in such situations, despite the referees’ performance potentially compromising the game’s flow, players need to maintain their composure. He described the first half of the game as “ridiculous” and labeled the third quarter as “horrendous,” emphasizing the need to stay focused and continue playing.
Despite the distractions, Jerome had an impressive performance, scoring 25 points, dishing out six assists, and achieving a career-high of six steals. However, he did receive a technical foul for disputing decisions with the officials.
Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson also noted the disjointed nature of the game, attributing it to the frequent stoppages caused by excessive whistle-blowing. “The game was so choppy,” Atkinson remarked, suggesting he would review the game to gain more insights. He acknowledged the competency of the league’s referees but noted that the match lacked fluidity, detracting from the spectacle for fans, media, and coaches alike. “It would just seem like it was constant stoppage. I’ll just leave it at that,” he concluded.
