Tom Thibodeau On Taj Gibson Ejection: 'That Was A Nothing Play'
(CBS) On Wednesday afternoon, the NBA announced that Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova had retroactively been assessed a technical foul for his role in an altercation in Game 5 on Tuesday that led to the ejection of Bulls forward Taj Gibson, who received a flagrant 2 foul and was ejected for kicking Dellavedova, who had locked his feet around Gibson's ankle.
Dellavedova wasn't originally whistled for anything, and Gibson could only watch from the locker room as Chicago gave up a crucial offensive rebound on a late defensive sequence and lost 106-101.
Speaking before the league announced a retroactive punishment that doesn't sooth the Bulls' anger, Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau was still perplexed by the ejection.
"I still don't understand it," Thibodeau said. "That was a nothing play."
Asked about the altercation, Bulls big man Joakim Noh called it a "good move" by Dellavedova.
Upon review, the NBA didn't downgrade Gibson's flagrant 2, so it will remain on his record. As Gibson left the court, he had a towel thrown out him, and he later called Cleveland fans "classless."
In a sarcastic manner, Noah shared his thoughts about the Cleveland fan base.
"They're great fans," Noah said. "I think they have a lot of class."