Manu Ginobli: Photo of Tim Duncan and Tony Parker aiming gun at Joey Crawford just a joke

Tim Duncan and Tony Parker decided to have a little too much fun at a Halloween party this year, and now they are hearing about it from all angles. As you can see from the photo above that was posted on Reddit and quickly made the internet rounds, Parker and Duncan dressed up as characters from “The Avengers” and held fake guns to the head of a person dressed as NBA officiating veteran Joey Crawford.

Many people thought the bit was violent and in poor taste. Parker and Duncan were not made available for comment on Monday, but teammate Manu Ginobili didn’t think the costumes were a big deal.

“What I know is, it was Halloween,” the Spurs guard according to KABB Fox San Antonio, noting that he attended the party. “If probably somebody dressed as Pop was there, I could have done the same thing with my little sword of Zorro. So I think it was a joke. It was very innocent and they were just probably kidding. I didn’t see it at the time, but nothing to be serious about.”

Crawford is one of the most well-known officials in the NBA, so it’s possible Duncan and Parker chose him to assure that people would understand the joke. Whatever the case, they can’t be surprised it sent people into an uproar — especially since gun references were involved and firearms are a sensitive subject in the NBA. Hopefully Crawford feels safe the first time he officiates a Spurs game this season. Just kidding…