Move over Al Michaels and Johnny Most, we have a new Hall of Fame candidate in the announce booth – all because Boban Marjanović wanted to give fans free chicken.
The Los Angeles Clippers lost 116-105 to the Houston Rockets on Sunday night in the final game of the NBA regular season, but LA fans still had plenty to celebrate. Rockets forward Marjanović, a former Clipper and star of John Wick: Chapter 3intentionally missed a free throw late in the game to ensure the home crowd would receive free chicken sandwiches as part of a Chick-fil-A promotion.
The Clippers offer free chicken if a visiting player misses two consecutive free throws in the fourth quarter, a fact Marjanović was well aware of after missing his first attempt. As he neared the line with four minutes to play in an eight-point game, Marjanović pointed to the crowd in the Crypto.com arena as they shouted for their fast food. “Do you want chicken?” said Marjanović, according to the broadcast. “I have got you.”
The Clippers are running a promo where fans get free chicken if an opponent misses two free throws in a row.
When Boban Marjanovic realized it, he missed the second on purpose.pic.twitter.com/Fk5veT5Nu
— Frontoffice Sport (@FOS) April 15, 2024
Marjanović fumbled on the second attempt before raising a finger in the air. “He gave them chicken!” Ryan Hollins said on the Rockets broadcast. “He is a man of the people.”
“Do you think he did that on purpose?” asked lead announcer Craig Ackerman. “He did! He gave out free chicken!” Hollins replied.
The Rockets were already eliminated from the NBA playoffs by the time Marjanović stepped to the free-throw line, but they salvaged a .500 record for the season thanks to 21 points from Cam Whitmore.
after newsletter promotion
Despite making an intentional free throw, Marjanović scored 13 points in 12 minutes of the fourth quarter. He is a finalist for this season’s NBA Sportsmanship Award, given to players who exemplify “the ideals of sportsmanship on the court with ethical conduct, fair play and integrity.”