Insecure NBA Ref Issues Ridiculous Tech After Being Ignored By Player

We all know NBA players are soft, but do NBA refs feel even more entitled than the players they govern?

MLB isn't the league wrecked by the ‘human element’ among officials. NBA referees had a s***ty run this week: starting with a baffling no-call on Monday between the Knicks and Pistons; then a game Saturday night when Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray received one of the most absurd technical foul calls in recent memory.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 02: Dejounte Murray #5 of the Atlanta Hawks dribbles during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on March 02, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets won 114-102. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CA - FEBRUARY 26: NBA referee Tony Brothers looks on during the game between the Miami Heat and Sacramento Kings on February 26, 2024 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

Murray's tech prompted serious questioning. He received the call while walking back to the Hawks bench during a timeout and ‘ignoring’ NBA referee Tony Brothers. 

In the footage, Brothers walked over to Murray during a timeout, versus the Brooklyn Nets. 

Murray appeared to mind his own business while the ref uttered words at him. As Murray dismissed the ref, Brothers called the tech, feeling stiffed by Murray's cold-shouldering. … Oh, Brother.

Did the call carry any merit? Of course not — just Tony Brothers being a SOFTIE. Players get tech'd for talking too much; now they're getting calls for staying mum. What a ridiculous precedent. 

WATCH:

Murray strongly disagreed and aired his frustrations after the game, via X.

"Getting A Tech Because There Was Nothing To Talk About Is UNBELIEVABLE!!!!" Murray posted. The Hawks lost to the Nets on Saturday, 114-102. Murray had a solid outing amid the Hawks' struggles without lead point guard Trae Young (out with injury). Murray tallied 20 points, 11 assists and six rebounds in the losing effort.

No one seemingly justified the ref's technical, not even the NBA. The league released a decision on Sunday, choosing to rescind the foul called against Murray for lacking any merit.

Let's wait and see if the league chooses to put Tony Brothers' ego in check.

Follow along on X:@AlejandroAveela