Friday night, with just more than a minute left in the Heat’s blowout win over the Cavaliers, Miami’s Rodney McGruder threw down a putback dunk over the Channing Frye, then appeared to give Frye a little push/slap on the back. Cleveland’s J.R. Smith was sitting on the bench (he’s still recovering from a broken thumb) and he started barking at the McGruder. Soon other Heat players defended their guy, specifically Dion Waiters. It was all just a lot of talk. Players and staff of the teams stepped in and ended it before it grew into anything more.
It was really nothing, and that’s how the league is treating it, reports Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
J.R. Smith will not face any disciplinary action from the NBA for his role in an argument with several Heat players at the conclusion of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 120-92 loss to Miami on Saturday, a league source told ESPN.
Furthermore, there will not be any fine levied by the team against Smith, a Cavs source told ESPN.
That’s the right call by the league. Players jawed, cooler heads prevailed, everyone walked away. Nothing to see here, move along.