The NBA fined Brooklyn Nets assistant coach David Vanterpool $10,000 and the Nets organization $25,000 for Vanterpool’s interference during a live play in Wednesday’s game against the Washington Wizards.
Vanterpool stuck his hand out and deflected a pass from Wizards guard Spencer Dinwiddie to an open Kyle Kuzma late in the fourth quarter. The deflection by Vanterpool turned into a steal for the Nets and costly turnover for the Wizards.
NBA referee Ben Taylor drew a great deal of criticism for missing the deflection despite being a mere couple of feet from the play.
The Nets led 109-103 with 5:42 remaining in the fourth at the time of Vanterpool’s interference. Brooklyn held on to beat the Wizards 119-118. In a one-point outcome, the Wizards were none too pleased with the missed call.
Wizards acting coach Joseph Blair said he was in “utter disbelief” and he “never seen anything like that.”
Kuzma called Vanterpool’s action “horses–t.”
Taylor, the official closest to the play, said none of the referees saw the interference while on the floor. Because Vanterpool’s interaction didn’t result in a dead ball, there was no mechanism for the officials to review the play.
