“I’m Italian, I like to argue. That’s how I grew up,” Del Negro said. “It doesn’t bother me. So whatever helps to get this team going, whatever comments are made, everybody knows where to find me. … Everybody says, ’What’s going on?’ Nothing’s going on, we have to try to win. That’s what I focus on.”

Asked directly if he thought Gordon’s reaction, which included an expletive, was disrespectful, Del Negro said it was not.

“No, because I argue with everybody,” Del Negro said. “It’s funny to me, it really is. … I love that guys show passion, show some fight and some grit. That’s why it’s pro basketball. It’s easy to play, it’s hard to win. So when guys show passion and get aggravated, take it out on the other team.”

So Ben’s arguing over a fine helps get this team going? Somehow it involves his trying to win? Somehow Ben’s arguing over a fine means he’s showing passion, fight and grit? Please let me be missing something.