The Cleveland Cavaliers are so determined to ensure that nobody falls for a DeMar DeRozan pump fake that they’re making anyone who does pay up.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst noted the practice in a story on Wednesday, reporting that the Cavaliers have a standing $100 fine to any player who bites on a DeRozan pump fake.
That was apparently something that helped the Cavaliers handle DeRozan late in the fourth quarter. Tristan Thompson didn’t want to bite, and that helped Cleveland’s defensive rotations late in their win over the Raptors in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
“I’m not trying to give up that money,” Thompson said. “I just had a kid, so I’m just trying to save up for their college tuition.”
Thompson probably enjoyed shutting up the Toronto fans. The threat of the fine seems to be working.
