“He’s not some repeat offender,” Stephen A. Smith won’t mind Jamal Murray given a ‘pass’ for throwing heat pack on referee

Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray is undoubtedly in hot water over heat pack incident.

“He’s not some repeat offender,” Stephen A. Smith won’t mind Jamal Murray given a ‘pass’ for throwing heat pack on referee

Jamal Murray

Stephen A. Smith expressed understanding for Jamal Murray’s actions, suggesting leniency after the Denver Nuggets’ loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves yesterday, where Murray threw a towel and a heating pad onto the court.

He went further to acknowledge Murray’s clean track record but believed that the incident was both reckless and dangerous. Stephen A. Smith also highlighted that throwing stuff onto the court could lead to injuries, and aiming objects at an official is a totally unacceptable behavior. 

Jamal Murray throughout his career has been class personified. He's never done anything, as far as I can remember, that he doesn't deserve to be criticized, besmirched, or anything because of his character. And so taking those things into consideration, I don’t wish for it for him because he’s not some repeat offender… you know what, give him some pass because that’s very uncharacteristic out of character for him.
Stephen A. Smith said on ESPN’s First Take

SAS went on to say that he believes that Murray’s outburst was as a result of frustration seeing his team suffer against the Minnesota Timberwolves and it’s never an excuse to endanger a fellow player. He also expressed confidence that Jamal Murray would learn from the incident and return to his composed personality fans are used to. 

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However, the league has ample time to investigate and deliberate on the issue before Friday’s Game 3 encounter. Goes without saying, the NBA’s response would serve as a yardstick for future offenders. 

NBA looking into Jamal Murray’s actions

The league authorities are investigating the Jamal Murray incident where he threw a heat jack into the court in the loss against the Timberwolves. Seated on the Denver Nuggets bench, Murray threw the heat pack toward game official Marc Davis but wasn’t penalized. 

Furthermore, about the incident, Wolves head coach Chris Finch called the incident inexcusable and dangerous and Murray might face disciplinary action, most likely a suspension after the authorities have come to a conclusion. 

Unfortunately, this doesn’t spell great for the Denver Nuggets who are 2-0 down and have a key player potentially facing a suspension. It would make their comeback response more tasking if that’s the case. 

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