Jae Crowder makes a move in Washington. (USATSI)
Jae Crowder makes a move in Washington. (USATSI)

Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder said Washington Wizards coach Randy Wittman cursed at him and called him soft on Saturday, via the Washington Times' Todd Dybas. When he talked back with 22 seconds left in the game, he got a technical foul. It was terrible timing for the Celtics.

Crowder told reporters that he had never had a coach say anything like that to him before. Fortunately for him, Boston was able to hold on and win 119-117.

This is a bewildering situation, and not just because Wittman's actions are inappropriate if Crowder's story is accurate. It's strange because of the target. Crowder was picked in the second round in 2012, worked his way into the Dallas Mavericks' rotation with tough defense and then earned himself a long-term contract with the Boston Celtics with a developed 3-point shot. Far from somebody who is typically described as soft, he is the sort of player coaches normally adore. I wonder what he must have done to draw Wittman's ire.