The Orlando Magic have built a reputation in recent years for fun, sometimes over-the-top, team celebrations. The Wagner brothers, Franz and Moritz, are known for a handshake that includes a “milking the cow” motion. While that one did catch many off guard, it was nothing compared to what happened last night in the Kia Center tunnels. While Orlando is sleeping well with a 3-1 lead over Detroit, fans called for Adam Silver to take action against two players.

The NBA Commissioner currently has his hands full with the Clippers-Kawhi salary circumvention investigation and the largest gambling scandal in league history. He even needs to find a solution to the tanking problems and address complaints about the biased referees. But now, Noah Penda and Goga Bitadze’s tunnel celebration has fans in disgust. They start normally with a standard hand clasp/grip (like a regular dap), but then…

Bitadze puts his hand out for Penda to chop up an imaginary substance. The latter then bends down low, bringing his face right up to the back of Bitadze’s hand, and makes a quick sniffing motion, then presses his nostrils while rigorously shaking his head. Bitadze laughs and flicks his tongue, encouraging his teammate. Given the NBA players’ influence on the modern generation, such gestures weren’t well-received.

The NBA can and does fine players for celebrations deemed inappropriate, obscene, or unsportsmanlike. While players have freedom of expression, the league enforces rules to maintain a “family-friendly” environment and professional image. Let’s not forget that Bitadze was already involved in NSFW trash talk with Luka Doncic. The Lakers’ superstar complained that the Magic star told him he would “f— my family.”

Bitadze, however, cleared the air and denied the accusation, claiming that Doncic had first said something inappropriate about his mother. That can be swept under the rug, saying it was a heated moment during the game. But the pre-game handshake ritual is a well-thought-out celebration!

NBA fans want their “real leader” Adam Silver to set the right precedent

Speaking about the negative influence, a netizen wrote that his nephew has started imitating the same handshake. “My nephew saw this, and now their whole 12u is mimicking @adamsilver a real leader would suspend them immediately.” Two other fans questioned, “So we doing coke celebrations now?” and “Inappropriate. What about the children? Adam Silver, what say you?”

This question is simple and raises the bar for the league to set the right example. Previously, stars like Luka Doncic, Anthony Edwards, and, most recently, Devin Booker have been fined for gestures that question the league’s integrity. So, if they can be fined, so can the Orlando Magic players. A fan stated, “Fine worthy.” Another reminded, “The NBA fines Ja Morant for less.”

The league initially warned Morant and Golden State’s Buddy Hield after the two mimicked aiming guns at each other. They were told that such gestures were inappropriate and would be viewed negatively. Just hours after the formal warning, though, Morant performed the gesture twice, and Adam Silver issued a fine of $75,000 due to the player’s history of gun-related incidents. He did the same gesture again last night after an insane Jamal Cain dunk!

It also does seem that fans currently have less faith in the commissioner, with one of them writing, “adam silver’s nba” followed by clapping emojis. This was a sarcastic comment aimed at Adam Silver, as the league is currently in the middle of multiple scandals and controversies. Such controversial celebrations aren’t only restricted to the NBA. Last year, Michigan baseball player Mitch Voit appeared to have snorted the baseline, a gesture for which he later apologized.