Luc Longley defends Thon Maker amid calls for the NBA to punish Bucks star for brawl involvement
AUSTRALIAN basketball legend Luc Longley has jumped to the defence of under-fire Boomers’ forward Thon Maker amid calls the NBA should come down hard on the Milwaukee Bucks star.
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AUSTRALIAN basketball legend Luc Longley has defended Boomers’ Milwaukee Bucks star Thon Maker amid calls from American commentators for the NBA to punish the forward for his role in Monday’s ugly brawl against the Philippines.
Maker attracted global attention for raising his knee in a bid to protect himself and his teammates as chairs and fists flowed freely.
The Sudanese-born big man’s actions prompted former NBA guard turned ESPN commentator Jalen Rose to criticise his actions.
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Rose called on NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to punish Maker for his involvement in the brawl, which saw nine Philippine and four Australian players ejected.
“For Thon Maker, it is going to put the Adam in a unique spot because it didn’t happen in the NBA or the United States,” Rose said.
“But he has got to be disciplined.
“I think that is something that the commissioner’s office is going to rule on swift, fast and in a hurry.
“He wasn’t throwing his hands, because he knows how valuable they are to him making money in the NBA. So he threw a couple of Bruce Lee kicks and got up out of there.”
In theory, the NBA could punish Maker for his role in the FIBA brawl.
Article 35 of the NBA constitution lets Silver punish players for “conduct that does not conform to the standards of morality or does not comply with all federal, state, and local laws … or is detrimental to the NBA.”
Longley, though, believes the NBA should be proud of Maker’s actions to defend his eammates.
“I think what Thon demonstrated was an absolute willingness to back up his teammates when the shit hit the fan,” said Longley, the Boomers’ assistant coach who won three NBA championships alongside Michael Jordan at the Chicago Bulls in the mid-90s.
“He’ll be forever endeared to his teammates for his preparedness to have a go.
“It was his first time playing with us and the first time meeting a lot of those guys, yet he put his body on the line and I believe he did the right thing.
“If I was putting together an NBA club and I was looking for guys that competed, played hard and cared about their teammates, which is clearly an important asset in the NBA, I would say that Thon’s actions reflected well on who he is.
“In a league where that is increasingly important.”
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Monday’s disgraceful brawl has sparked concerns about NBA clubs being reluctant to send their stars on international duty.
Longley understands these fears, but says they will be reduced if there is a guarantee of player safety.
“I think the NBA clubs will have a look at the security that has been around,” he said.
“If the NBA guys are convinced with the security, they’ll want their guys to play and get better.
“Because they do get better playing international basketball. Ask Aron Baynes, Patty Mills or Joe Ingles.
“I think it is more about being reassured that it is a safe environment and it wasn’t on Monday.”
Originally published as Luc Longley defends Thon Maker amid calls for the NBA to punish Bucks star for brawl involvement
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