There are so many times when we get frustrated with referees or umpires across sports, and it's often for good reason. But there are also times when we can admit that it's not the easiest job in the world and they're not exactly dealing with the easiest personalities in the world at all times.
Take, for instance, a little altercation that took place on Thursday night during the Warriors-Cavs game in Cleveland. After fighting for positioning after a missed shot, Golden State forward Draymond Green — known for being just a tad difficult with others while out on the court — and Cleveland guard Darius Garland got tangled up.
Perhaps it was the fact that the 6-foot-1, 192-pound Garland was holding his own against the much larger Green, who comes in at 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds. Perhaps it was the fact that Green wasn't having as productive a game as usual with only four points and two rebounds at its conclusion, though the 14 assists are hard to ignore. Maybe it's because the Cavs stuck close with the powerhouse Warriors, leading by 13 before a massive 36-8 fourth-quarter run gave Golden State the definitive lead. Maybe it was a battle for the best player with the initials "DG," as Devonte' Graham, Danny Green and Danilo Gallinari are pretty firmly out of the race.
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Whatever the case, the two got tangled up and then insisted on staying tangled up, much to the amazement of a baffled referee that couldn't believe the middle school-level maturity he was witnessing in front of him.
That's Ed Malloy watching over them, there, who has seen a lot in his nearly two decades of experience, and even he's like... really? Really guys? You're going to act like your arms are sewn together and that you couldn't easily have just slid past each other without further ado?
I guess when you've paid over $893,000 in fines, you're prone to a scrap or two here and there, and that's pretty minor. If Garland commits $887,000 more of fines throughout his career, he'll be right there with Green.
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