Reggie Jackson is about to learn the hard way that the NBA takes criticism toward its refs very seriously.
The Pistons guard voiced his displeasure about the officiating after his team was swept by the Cavaliers on Sunday night. Detroit almost avoided the sweep as Jackson had a chance to tie the game at the end of regulation but missed the shot. He felt he was fouled by Kyrie Irving, and he let the media know about it.
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"I just think refs need to have some type of system in line," Jackson said. "Fines, suspensions, being fired. Same thing that happens to us. Make bad plays or questionable (calls), you're not really being productive to the sport and I think you should have consequences just like the players, so that's about (all) I got to say on that."
Whether Jackson has a point can be debated, but it's likely he'll be fined for his comments.
Jackson's coach — Stan Van Gundy — was fined $25,000 for comments he made earlier in the series.
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Houston coach J.B. Bickerstaff was fined $10,000 in February for the same offense; Pacers' Paul George was fined $35,000 in December; and Chris Paul was fined $25,000 last season.
There are more examples, but the message is clear — don't publicly criticize the officials. Or be willing to pay for it.
