The Wizards picked up a nice road win on Wednesday night in Utah, but it cost Marcin Gortat a little bit in the wallet on Thursday afternoon:
March 19, 2015 - Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat has been fined $5,000 by the NBA for violating the league's anti-flopping rules for the second time this season.
The incident occurred with 4:31 remaining in the fourth quarter of Washington's 88-84 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, March 18, at EnergySolutions Arena.
You can watch the full video here, but here's a couple of quick glimpses at the play.
And another look:
Oh come on, this wasn't exaggerated for effect at all. pic.twitter.com/3x88zY6Nup
— Bullets Forever (@BulletsForever) March 19, 2015
Keep in mind Rodney Hood is three inches and 25 pounds lighter than Marcin Gortat, and is not from the planet Krypton, at least to our knowledge.
Still, we have to give it to Marcin Gortat. Selling out for the foul gave Gortat two free throws, which he nailed. Without those freebies, the game would have been tied at 84 when the Jazz got the ball with seven seconds left off of Paul Pierce's traveling violation. From there, the Jazz would have had all their options at their disposal, rather than being forced to go for the quick three to extend the game. From a purely competitive standpoint, the move was clearly worth the $5,000.
UPDATE: Gortat's reaction:
5k!!!??? Damnnnn.... got that win!!! Thats all I care about!!
— Marcin Gortat (@MGortat) March 19, 2015
UPDATE: More from Gortat:
@anur_7 stop crying
— Marcin Gortat (@MGortat) March 19, 2015
@iam_aalxx u have to win at least street-ball tournament or something before u get to play pro!
— Marcin Gortat (@MGortat) March 19, 2015
@FanDuelRoyal ur mama was weak last night
— Marcin Gortat (@MGortat) March 19, 2015