Brian Scalabrine, a former NBA player and current analyst, has stirred controversy by accusing Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra of ordering a hard foul on Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum during Game 1 of a playoff series. Scalabrine alleged on Sirius NBA Radio and other media appearances that Spoelstra instructed his team not to 'lay down' and even suggested a 'code red' during a timeout. This claim has been widely discussed, with Scalabrine criticizing the Miami media for ignoring the issue. In response, Miami's Caleb Martin, who committed the foul, explained that the contact was unintentional and a result of momentum. The NBA community has had mixed reactions, with some dismissing Scalabrine's comments as baseless and others debating the intensity of playoff competition.
Heat’s Caleb Martin responds to accusations of ‘dirty’ foul against Jayson Tatum https://t.co/eQHPNImmgq
How did the Heat view the fallout from Caleb Martin’s hard foul on Jayson Tatum? "It was an irrational assessment." Martin and Erik Spoelstra discuss https://t.co/PyKaJuj112 Also, Duncan Robinson on his status and other notes from Heat practice today in Boston
Brian Scalabrine sent NBA media into a frenzy with his questioning whether the Heat made a shady play against the Celtics. ⬇️ https://t.co/SnVnur7WLv
Payton Pritchard says he didn’t have a problem with Caleb Martin’s foul on Jayson Tatum “I think we like that. I think that was a joy to watch.” (Via @JaredWeissNBA ) https://t.co/FWn3HgDatU
Heat can handle the truth: Spoelstra calls ‘Code Red’ take on Martin foul on Tatum ‘an irrational assessment’ https://t.co/cBHDkB00k4
Joe Mazzulla: “If you think you’re not going to see a different version of Miami (in Game 2) then you’re kidding yourself.” #Celtics #Heat.
‘Miami is going to go and do a play like that:’ Brian Scalabrine’s take on Game 1 hard foul on Jayson Tatum https://t.co/Bc7EXdQua1
.@EddieHouse_50 breaks down why he doesn't believe Caleb Martin's hard foul on Jayson Tatum in Game 1 was 'malicious' or 'suspension-worthy' 👀 https://t.co/dzNF6AogGe
Brian Scalabrine’s ‘code red’ take wreaks havoc on NBA media https://t.co/OCBsqE9UYP https://t.co/rsn0d5p07f
NEW: Caleb Martin addresses hard foul on Jayson Tatum: "I know I hit him pretty hard. But momentum was carrying me, and I think I got pushed into that direction" https://t.co/7RePm86FEN Also, one Heat player explains how the Porzingis addition has been a game-changer and more
“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. 📺… https://t.co/lFiJxJI05Q
“I thought that was a bush league play…the people who follow the Miami Heat only look at it one way.” - @Scalabrine joins the show to explain why he thinks the Erik Spoelstra and the Miami Heat ordered a “code red” on Jayson Tatum and the Celtics. 📺 https://t.co/fLLXl66D2W https://t.co/90OuCKxxKi
Miami wants Boston to get distracted. The Celtics aren't taking the bait. @ChrisForsberg_ on how Jayson Tatum and Co. reacted to Caleb Martin's hard foul, and what it says about the team's focus level 🔽 https://t.co/o2seO8szMM
Scalabrine, on Sirius NBA Radio, repeats his claim this morning that Caleb Martin was dirty and Erik Spoelstra ordered the team to not lay down in the time-out. Even made the “Code Red” allegation again. He also goes after “Miami media” for ignoring this. Yawn.
B Scalabrine was an embarrassment as a player, a sieve of inside info 2 media, as a defiant Dubs aide under Mark Jackson & now as a C’s analyst; his perverted slant accused Spoelstra, down 16 w/1:16 left, of ‘ordering’ a hard hit on Tatum. No Q re Y Tatum was in game, of course!