Brian Scalabrine retracts his massive complaint against Erik Spoelstra.
Boston Celtics commentator Brian Scalabrine provided a contentious take following the team’s win against the Miami Heat on Sunday, but the former fan favorite appears to have revised his attitude a bit.
The Celtics defeated the Heat 114-94 in Game 1 of the first round playoff series between the two teams. With about a minute left in the fourth quarter, Heat forward Caleb Martin collided with Celtics standout Jayson Tatum as Martin charged into the lane for a rebound. Many believed the play was filthy. You may watch the video here.
Scalabrine, who played for the Celtics from 2005-10 and won a championship with the team, claimed during the NBC Sports Boston postgame program that it was “shady” because Heat coach Erik Spoelstra called a timeout 30 seconds before Martin’s hard foul on Tatum. Scalabrine feels Spoelstra ordered a “code red,” which means he told the Heat to go after Tatum.
On Monday, Scalabrine joined the Miami-based “Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz” to further explain himself. While he did not totally back down from accusing Spoelstra of putting a hit out on Tatum, Scalabrine said he believes Spoelstra urged the Heat to “send a message” given they were getting blown out.
“Do you think Erik Spoelstra says, ‘Come on, guys.'” We’re behind by 32. We’re just going lay down and get punked? “We are not going to send a message?” Scalabrine inquired. “I’m not saying he said to go over to Tatum and hurt him. I’m like, ‘Come on, fellas, we’re going to send a message to these guys. We’re in a long series right now. “This is what we are going to do.”
Scalabrine believes that anyone who does not believe Spoelstra urged the Heat to “send a message” does not fully understand Miami’s self-proclaimed identity as the NBA’s toughest and grittiest team.
“I’m not saying that he said go run over Tatum and hurt him, I think he said to send a message…If you think that was not said, then I don’t think you guys buy in to Heat Culture…”
– Brian Scalabrine (@Scalabrine) stands on his “code red” remarks from Heat vs Celtics.
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) April 22, 2024
There is a significant distinction between a coach advising his squad to be aggressive and not give up without a fight and instructing a player to damage an opponent. Scalabrine was essentially claiming that the former was all he meant, although it was evident that he had originally accused Spoelstra of more.
