I’ve met a lot of people in my life who either don’t understand and/or can’t handle people who are passionate about something or show emotion in different ways. Those are the people who don’t like Hurley. It could be tone, choice of words, etc. Some people were raised to have thick skin, some weren’t. Some people will smile to your face and talk garbage behind your back. Others tell it like it is. Although I don’t know him personally, I’m with Hurley. He seems like a fiercely loyal guy who cares deeply about the people around him. He doesn’t sugarcoat things and doesn’t come across as phony or holier than thou. I think we need more people like him in society as it seems like people are more and more fake these days.
Hurley was in the moment, as he is coming off back to back titles and just had a chance to beat arguably the best team in the tournament. I’m sure he thought some calls didn’t go his way, and I’m right there with him (Karaban drive to the basket, offensive that waved of Ball’s three). Heat of the moment just said some things to another team about officiating. It’s literally not a big deal at all. A few minutes after this his was giving an interview and talking about what the team meant to him and how it was an honor to compete.
Sometimes people need to blow off some steam. Hurley does it by going after the refs. Does it help our cause? Probably not, but the refs should know this about Hurley. I’m sure it’s nothing personal. If the refs get offended and call the game differently because they don’t like Hurley, well then that’s a problem, and that’s on the refs. Refs should call a game based on the rules and not the actions or antics of a coach, fan base, etc.