The NBA bubble’s anonymous tip line for violations, otherwise known as the “snitch hotline,” may be working too well.
Last week, during the league’s initial quarantine period, someone called the hotline to snitch on Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler as he was attempting to do a workout from his hotel room.
“A security guard received a complaint of disturbance for loud thumping,” Chris Hayes reported during an NBA on TNT segment. “Sources told me that the security guard went over to investigate, found the room, and found Jimmy Butler drenched in sweat with practice gear on from head to toe. He was dribbling a basketball throughout his room the whole time.”
The calls coming in are reportedly from both players and staff for those aggressively attempting to minimize mask and social distancing violations before the official resumption of the league on July 30.
However, some players, including Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie, aren’t supportive of the new accountability measures.
“To all my fellow NBA players, don’t call the snitch hotline,” Dinwiddie said during a virtual interview with Taylor Rooks. “Don’t cross the line to get Postmates, don’t fly to L.A. to workout and the Brooklyn Nets are coming for you.”
Dinwiddie was forced out of the NBA bubble after testing positive for coronavirus.