It may be considered that, but it takes quite a stretch to believe it. And anyhow, what players say to each other almost all game long is far worse than slapping a backboard and offending the "backboards are people too" crowd.
What a strange sports world we live in now. The NFL players can now conduct a multi-player, choreographed act after a TD or whatever without penalty. I suspect the celebrations could not be enforced so they just let it go. Might as well let them throat slash. But, in college basketball, a player taps the backboard after a dunk and it is deemed taunting!?!
I’m good with a coach riding the refs so long as it is not abusive or a constant sideshow. And golden doesn’t come close to crossing those lines.
CTG is often over with the refs smiling and joking with them. It's rare that you see him get so angry with them as he did after the Richard-backboard-slap fracas. Which the refs got right (but which is still a ridiculous, petty rule).
