The NBA fined Chicaco Bulls guard Marco Belinelli for an obscene gesture made during Saturday's playoff game. The gesture cost the guard $15,000, according to USA TODAY Sports.
Belinelli incurred the league's wrath in the fourth quarter of Saturday's 99-93 Game 7 win against the Brooklyn Nets. After sinking a 3-pointer to put Chicago up by 10, Belinelli celebrated with a rendition of the "Sam Cassell Dance."
The "Sam Cassel Dance," made popular by the eponymous former NBA guard, is a gesture insinuating "big balls." It usually comes after a player makes a crucial shot.
The move is popular but frowned upon.
Josh Smith of the Atlanta Hawks and Eddie House, then with the Miami Heat, both were fined in January 2011 for doing the same move. Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant did a rendition in 2009 after hitting a last-minute three-pointer against the San Antonio Spurs.
The Bulls surprised the Heat in Game 1 of the eastern conference semifinals Monday night with a 93-86 win. With the Bulls' roster depleted by injuries, Belinelli has seen his playing time increase during the playoffs. He played for 46 minutes in Monday's game and recorded 10 points and seven rebounds.
Chicago faces Miami for Game 2 Wednesday. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. ET on TNT.
