NBA: Bell’s backboard dark provides for trouble

After the clear beatings against the Golden State Warriors, Dallas Maverick’s frustration spread in the Dallas camp – not only about the 30-point beatings themselves. Players and coaches were also outraged by a scene in the closing minutes: Jordan Bell’s backboard dunk.

Less than three minutes left on the clock when Warriors rookie Jordan Bell blocked Dwight Powell’s three-way attempt. The 22-year-old changed hands in a flash, after a pass from JaVale McGee, the track to the Mavs’ basket was free. At that time Golden State was already in the lead with 25 points. But what did Bell do? He played an Alley-Oop-Pass over the backboard to himself and hammered the spalding through the Reuse. While the Dubs Bank was in ecstasy, the Mavs were in a state of trouble.

“I’ve just told Rick[Carlisle] that I’ll talk to Jordan,”warrior coach Steve Kerr said after the match,”He’s a young guy, he’s having fun. He didn’t realize he was insulting anyone, but Kerr also had to admit that the Forward’s action wasn’t well received everywhere.

“Young players say to themselves,”We’re just playing basketball.”The older guys are rather angry. According to a report by Anthony Slater from The Athletic, however, the apology he received from Carlisle was initially deafened.

According to Slater, the head coach of the Mavericks passed Kerr without displeasure. Later he also played the scene down a bit. His team had more important things to do than dealing with Bell’s behaviour, Carlisle told reporters. Dirk Nowitzki was a little more fretted:”The darkness was a bit too much. But that’s just a rookie who was a little too enthusiastic.”

Quite different opinion was little surprising Draymond Green. The Big Man of the Dubs celebrated his teammate’s darkness and showed little sympathy for the Mavs’ reactions:”If you want to play the ball over the backboard, do it. That was a great play. What difference does it make if you play the ball over the backboard and play dark or just as dark?” Last but not least, Green’s mother, Mary Babers-Green, joined in the discussion – and shared her son’s opinion.