The Raptors are, unsurprisingly, pretty terrible. They have the second-worst record in the league and not a whole lot of hope for the future unless they try to rebuild (again) and try to see if they can get anything worthwhile for Andrea Bargnani.
So the last things fans need is something ridiculous like what Amir Johnson pulled last night. You can see it in the video, but basically, Johnson wants to touch the ball after a free throw… the ref doesn’t let him… they get into a tug of war like 6 year-olds fighting over a toy… and Johnson gets tossed for it.
THEN… Johnson loses his goddamn mind and throws his mouthpiece at the ref.
“I guess the ref didn’t let me have the ball so we kind of got into a tug of war,” he said. “No words were really said and he rejected me out of the game and I kind of lost my cool from there.”
Raptors coach Dwane Casey said Johnson’s actions were completely out of character.
“I don’t know what happened with Amir. He kind of lost his mind there for a little bit,” the coach said. “I told him we can’t have that on a night where we’re short-handed and we’re in a situation where we’re scrambling. We just gotta have more discipline than that.”
Johnson agreed that it was unusual for him to act out.
“My teammates know me, my parents know me. … I never lose my cool. I never said anything to a ref or got mad,” he said. “The only techs I’ve gotten were for hanging on the rim or slapping the backboard.”
Johnson, who is in his eighth NBA season, is likely looking at a fine from the league for the incident. Following the game, however, he was contrite.
“I think it was just really childish. It was something that didn’t need to happen,” Johnson said. “I lost my cool and I apologize on my part.”
That’s not going to help him avoid the fine or suspension. I’m not sure what the hell possessed him to do any of this. I don’t even know why players feel the need to touch the ball after a free throw.
It’s still round. It’s still leather. It’s still orange. You’ll touch it eventually, buddy. Relax.
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