Timberwolves coach Chris Finch calls referee Tony Brothers’ actions ‘completely unprofessional’
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch wanted to call a timeout with five minutes to play Friday and the Wolves trailing Game 3 against San Atnonio by two. Finch felt official Tony Brothers waited three ticks too long to grant the request and, per his account, told Brothers “I want my three seconds back. ” “Because he clearly heard me.
He looked my way, ignored me, went on with the play, and then gave me it. It almost cost us the turnover,” Finch said. “And then he lost it.
” “Lost it” is a subjective term, but Finch then claims he went to ask Brothers where the ball would be inbounded from after the timeout, at which point Brothers turned and took a couple steps toward Finch before shouting in his direction. “So, completely unprofessional behavior by him,” Finch said. It is rare for an NBA official to get into a shouting match with a player or coach.
But Finch’s account is only one side of the story. And the Timberwolves’ coach is possibly the biggest complainer — both during the game and after — re: officials. Nearly every time the refs make a trip down the floor, Finch has something to say in their ear.
That likely can be grating. Still, does that give the refs justification to bark back? Or should they merely “take” the verbal scolding from players and coaches with little to no reaction?