Why was Dillon Brooks fine $35,000 by the NBA after the Grizzlies lost to the Heat?
The contentious guard has once again found his name in the news and not for a good reason. The question is, do the Grizzlies have a problem on their hands?
During their recent loss, the Grizzlies star crossed a line and what’s worse is that it was with an individual who was working at the game, thereby removing the excuse that it could have been in the heat of the moment with a fellow player. Is a league sanction enough for a player who is continually cited for bad behavior?
NBA fines Dillon Brooks for pushing cameraman
According to an announcement from the NBA on Friday, Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks has been fined $35,000 for the “unsportsmanlike act of shoving a camera person” during the team’s recent 138-119 loss to the Miami Heat on March 15th.
The moment in question occurred, in the second quarter of the game with less than 3 minutes on the clock. Brooks at the time attempted a 3-pointer from the top of the key, which in turn missed and bounced directly upwards. At that point, John Konchar claimed the offensive rebound but could only manage to dish it back into play before losing his balance. Though Brooks then tried to chase down the ball near midcourt, he failed to do so and proceeded to take out his frustration on a nearby camera operator, who he shoved to the ground before returning to play. In case you’re wondering, the cameraman wasn’t hurt and Brooks for his part received no punishment for his actions. Yet, as you can imagine it wasn’t long before the video replay of the incident began to make its rounds on social media, at which point the league seemingly made a decision.
Is Dillon Brooks a problem?
If you feel like you’ve been hearing Brooks’ name quite a bit recently, it’s because you have. Just a few weeks ago he was handed a one game suspension without pay, after he picked up his 16th technical foul of the season. According to league rules, players who accumulate 16 techs are automatically suspended for a game. Additionally, players are also suspended for a game for every two technical fouls thereafter. To be clear, Brooks is currently leading the league in technical fouls. You may also recall his spat with the Warriors’ Draymond Green a few weeks ago as well - it’s not over.
When all is said and done, Brooks is easily one of the most controversial players in the league at the moment. A tough defender with a brash mouth, the 27-year-old Canadian has endeared himself to the Grizzlies faithful. On the other hand, you can be assured that Memphis is the only place that has a fondness for him. It goes without saying that his latest error in judgement will only serve to cement that fact.