Image Source: X
[Saba Sports News] NBACentel has struck again.
Minnesota Timberwolves play-by-play announcer Michael Grady became the latest victim of the notorious parody account during Monday’s game against the Indiana Pacers.
While providing commentary in the third quarter, Grady discussed the latest NBA happenings and mentioned a postgame rant by Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff following a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Grady then stated on air that Bickerstaff had been fined $100,000 by the NBA for his comments.
The problem? That fine never happened. The “report” actually came from NBACentel, a well-known parody account on X (formerly Twitter) that thrives on spreading fake, exaggerated news.
Grady’s slip-up quickly went viral, and NBACentel wasted no time taking credit for yet another successful troll job. The night only got worse for the Timberwolves, who ended up losing in overtime 132-130 to a severely shorthanded Pacers squad missing Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, and Myles Turner.
NBACentel’s growing list of high-profile victims now includes FS1’s Colin Cowherd, who fell for another one of their hoaxes just last month.
As for Bickerstaff, he did unleash a passionate rant after Detroit’s loss to OKC (video here), and he may very well be fined. But historically, NBA coach fines for similar outbursts have been in the $25,000–$50,000 range, making the $100,000 figure pure satire.
Grady, unfortunately, just got ‘Centel’d’.