“No more of this!”: NBA blocks the Brooklyn Nets from mocking Giannis Antetokounmpo using a free-throw timer

The NBA ordered the Brooklyn Nets’ front office to cut the gamesmanship tactic of using a free-throw timer for Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Brooklyn Nets started their Semi-Finals series with a bang. They defended their home court and won both games against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. The wins came despite the absence of James Harden, who has been out due to his hamstring injury. The Nets beat the Bucks with a 47 point differential combined in Games 1 and 2.

Kevin Durant has been on fire and has put up 61 points in the two encounters. Kyrie Irving has been sensational as well and is holding down the Point guard duties till James returns.

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As for the Bucks, they are being outplayed on every stat possible by the Nets. Going back home, Milwaukee would use this as a chance to regroup and try to edge their way back in the series.

The Brooklyn Nets mock Giannis Antetokounmpo with a free-throw timer

Giannis Antetokounmpo is not the best shooter in the league. The ‘Greek Freak’ has worked on his shooting a lot, and was shooting a career-high 30.3% from deep this season. He also led the league in free-throw attempts, at 581, and shot them at 68.5%.

However, his free-throw shooting has been abysmal this series. Giannis has only made 2-10 shots from the charity stripe in Games 1 and 2 combined. Giannis also fell in free-throw 10-second violation trouble during the Heat series. The Nets remembered that, and put a free-throw timer on the jumbotron whenever Giannis went to the line in Game 1.

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While we often see teams use tactics to distract the opponent players in home playoff games, the NBA felt this was excessive. They sent a notice to the Nets’ office and asked them to stop the same.

An NBA source said the league ordered the Nets to cut out the gamesmanship tactic of a timer shown on the overhead scoreboard at Barclays Center during Game 1 of their playoff series against the Bucks whenever the two-time MVP was at the line. The league doesn’t advocate teams inciting the taunting of other players, the source added.

Heading back to Milwaukee for Games 3 and 4, the Bucks have their work cut out for them. If they plan to make their mark on the series, the next two games are the only shots they get. The Nets take on the Bucks for Game 3 on Thursday.