Hinrich says he didn’t intend to bump ref

According to Nick Fridell of ESPN Chicago, Kirk Hinrich did not intend to bump a referee during an argument during the Chicago Bulls’ loss to the Miami Heat on Friday. Hinrich received a one-game suspension for the incident, but here’s his side of the story:

“I was following him. But, I feel like ... I don’t know what was going through his head or anything like that. But he stops. Stuck his shoulder and elbow out and the contact was made. I don’t even know why that’s why I’m suspended. If it’s because of contact or what. I haven’t really been told yet. I’m going to try and find out more [Sunday] afternoon, but there’s nothing really I can do about it.”

After watching the argument a few times, it doesn’t look like Hinrich was trying to “bump” the ref in the strictest sense of the world, but he was way, way too far up in the referee’s face than he should have been. On the other hand, anyone dumb enough to admit to bumping a ref intentionally probably shouldn’t be trusted to run an offense.