In a playoff series it is never good when the referees become the storyline of the game. That unfortunately is what Kane Fitzgerald became late in the second quarter of game one between the Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies.
Draymond Green got called for a foul and the play got immediately reviewed. Fitzgerald took his time before making the announcement.
Even with the supposed wind up of Green and the grabbing of the jersey of Brandon Clarke, many believed it was going to get called a flagrant one. The only person in the building besides Grizzlies fans who thought it was a flagrant two, was Fitzgerald.
It was his determination alone, not those in Seacaucus, New Jersey. Still one has to wonder if Green's reputation was the result of the ejection as well. If that were the case it is all more reason for the NBA to inflict swift and severe discipline to Fitzgerald.
Earlier in the game Fitzgerald called a continuation on a play where Otto Porter Jr fouled Kyle Anderson well before he even went up to take shot. The Warriors were fortunate that another referee was paying attention and overruled him.
As for the ejection this is the playoffs! That is an inexcusable determination. What the NBA needs to do to with Fitzgerald is to suspend him for the remainder of the playoffs and then demote him to the G-League.
Of course that is wishful thinking, nothing will happen to him. Yet severe discipline from the league is definitely warranted.
Here is the reaction on social media.
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