{"id":2642,"date":"2025-04-16T22:08:08","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T02:08:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.red94.net\/news\/luka-doncics-shocking-ejection-sparks-epic-lakers-radio-reaction\/"},"modified":"2025-04-16T22:08:11","modified_gmt":"2025-04-17T02:08:11","slug":"luka-doncics-shocking-ejection-sparks-epic-lakers-radio-reaction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.red94.net\/news\/luka-doncics-shocking-ejection-sparks-epic-lakers-radio-reaction\/","title":{"rendered":"Luka Doncic’s Shocking Ejection Sparks Epic Lakers Radio Reaction!"},"content":{"rendered":"
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1. <\/strong>During a tense fourth quarter on Tuesday night between the Lakers and Thunder, Luka Doncic made a crucial jump shot that put L.A. ahead 108\u2013107. After making the shot, Doncic exchanged words with a spectator. However, referee J.T. Orr mistook this as Doncic speaking to him and subsequently ejected the star player from the game.<\/p>\n

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Lakers’ radio announcer John Ireland was visibly upset by Orr’s decision. Ireland’s on-air reaction was a mix of disbelief and outrage, making for compelling radio. He loudly contested the ejection, managing to be emphatic without being excessive. Ireland’s interruption of analyst Mychal Thompson, who was attempting to clarify the situation, added to the drama.<\/p>\n

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Right after the ejection, Ireland exclaimed in frustration, \u201cWHY?!?\u201d<\/p>\n

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When Thompson tried to explain that Doncic was merely trash-talking a fan and not the referee, Ireland was quick to respond.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThis is an absolutely terrible decision by J.T. Orr, by the referee. Absolutely terrible. You cannot eject a star player from an NBA game for speaking to a spectator,\u201d Ireland argued vehemently.<\/p>\n

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Ireland continued, \u201cThis is unacceptable. Oh my God. This should not happen in a game this exciting. This is one of the worst officiating decisions I have witnessed in my 25 years of broadcasting. I despise this call, and I would feel the same if it were against Shai.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Despite the interruption, Ireland seamlessly returned to play-by-play, \u201cThe free throw is good, game tied at 108. You cannot, Mychal, eject a star player for talking to a spectator.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Thompson attempted another explanation, but Ireland was not receptive.<\/p>\n

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\u201cHe didn\u2019t think he was talking to the fan,\u201d Thompson clarified.<\/p>\n

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Interrupting Thompson, Ireland shouted, \u201cI DON\u2019T CARE!!! Despite explanations from three Lakers, he persisted because his ego outweighed keeping Luka in the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

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That\u2019s captivating radio.<\/p>\n

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2. <\/strong>Last year I campaigned against this, and I\u2019m here to do it again.<\/p>\n

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The extravagant food creations promoted at sports events might attract clicks on social media, but they are largely impractical for actual consumption at these venues. (And frankly, they\u2019re a bit over the top.)<\/p>\n

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Whenever I see such items pop up in my feed, my initial reaction isn\u2019t, \u201cWow, that looks delicious.\u201d Instead, I think, \u201cWho in their right mind would want to eat that while watching a baseball game?\u201d<\/p>\n

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New at @Braves<\/a> games: The Home Run Stack! <\/p>\n

2 angus patties, candied bacon, house smoked brisket, red slaw, onion rings, curly fries with Carolina BBQ & Coca Cola BBQ. pic.twitter.com\/dh0mjjHZJJ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) April 8, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Such a dish is impossible to eat without making a mess, likely costs an exorbitant amount, and almost guarantees a visit to the less-than-ideal stadium restroom afterward.<\/p>\n

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3. <\/strong>The nominations for the Sports Emmy Awards were revealed on Tuesday. The networks that received nominations were quick to boast about their achievements, flooding my inbox with self-congratulatory press releases. Here are some of the headlines from those emails.<\/p>\n

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\u201cESPN Inc. Garners Industry-Leading 63 Sports Emmy Nominations\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cPrime Video Secures a Record 21 Nominations Across 17 Categories for the 46th Annual Sports Emmy\u00ae Awards\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cNBCUNIVERSAL RECEIVES 48 SPORTS EMMY AWARD NOMINATIONS \u2013 MOST SINCE 2013 \u2013 LED BY 2024 PARIS OLYMPIC GAMES\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cFOX SPORTS NOTCHES 31 SPORTS EMMY\u00ae NOMINATIONS\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cNational Football League Scores 22 Sports Emmy Nominations\u201d<\/p>\n

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While I think it’s unnecessary to get overly excited about awards, here are a few quick thoughts on the nominations.<\/p>\n

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It’s disappointing that ESPN’s Joe Buck wasn’t nominated for Outstanding Personality\/Play By Play. The category includes Mike Breen, Joe Davis, Ian Eagle, Noah Eagle, and Mike Tirico. Buck’s colleague, Troy Aikman, did receive a nod in the Outstanding Personality\/Event Analyst category.<\/p>\n

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As for the Outstanding Personality\/Event Analyst category, I’m puzzled by John Smoltz’s nomination. The other nominees are Aikman, Peyton Manning, Greg Olsen, and Bill Raftery.<\/p>\n

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You can view the full list of nominations here.<\/p>\n

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4. <\/strong>Perhaps I’m just out of touch, but I find plays like the one by Marlins outfielder Derek Hill against the Mets on Tuesday far more impressive than the typical highlight-reel catches of outfielders robbing home runs at the fence.<\/p>\n

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Derek Hill makes an unbelievable catch! pic.twitter.com\/B1FsQGLsiy<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 MLB (@MLB) April 8, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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5. <\/strong>In last Monday’s Traina Thoughts, I discussed Caitlin Clark’s dominance in viewer ratings. Here’s another interesting fact: Last year, during Iowa’s NCAA tournament run, Clark’s games attracted huge audiences. The men’s national championship game between Houston and Florida, which was a nail-biter, attracted 18.1 million viewers. It was the most-watched men’s national championship game since 2019.<\/p>\n

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National Championship between Florida and Houston delivers 18.1 million viewers on CBS, capping off the most-watched Final Four weekend since 2017 pic.twitter.com\/3FmBOMDGuF<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 March Madness Men\u2019s Basketball TV (@MM_MBB_TV) April 8, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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The women\u2019s championship game that year, featuring Clark, drew an even larger audience of 18.9 million viewers.<\/p>\n

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6.<\/strong> The latest episode of\u00a0SI Media With Jimmy Traina<\/em>\u00a0features an interview with CBS\u2019s Ian Eagle and Bill Raftery.<\/p>\n

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The duo discuss their long-standing partnership, dating back to their days calling New Jersey Nets games together in the early 1990s. Eagle shares his impressions of Raftery, and they both recall humorous anecdotes from over the years.<\/p>\n

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Raftery also opens up about his famous catchphrases, discusses a viral moment from this year\u2019s NCAA tournament, and reflects on whether he has considered retirement.<\/p>\n

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Eagle talks about the preparation involved in broadcasting the tournament, the challenge of covering four games in a single day during the first round, and the various broadcast partners he has worked with over the years.<\/p>\n

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Furthermore, Eagle discusses his new NFL partner this season, J.J. Watt.<\/p>\n

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Following Eagle and Raftery, Sal Licata from WFAN radio and SNY TV in New York joins me for our weekly \u201cTraina Thoughts\u201d segment. This week\u2019s topics include ongoing issues with MLB.TV streaming and Major League Baseball\u2019s inadequate response to its streaming problems, along with the story of torpedo bats.<\/p>\n

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You can listen to the SI Media With Jimmy Traina<\/em> podcast below or on Apple and Spotify.<\/p>\n

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