Gerald Green Fined $25K for 'Menacing Gestures' vs. Wizards

Miami Heat guard Gerald Green has been fined $25,000 by the NBA "for making menacing gestures" during Wednesday night's preseason game against the Washington Wizards, according to USA Today's Jeff Zillgitt. 

The gestures he is being punished for came during the fourth quarter Wednesday. After hitting a pair of three-pointers, he mimicked firing a gun with his hands and made a throat-slashing motion. 

The Cauldron's CJ Fogler caught the moment of Green's gun celebration.

"

Gerald Green's shooting celebration pic.twitter.com/FjTdAHxSIl

— CJ Fogler (@cjzero) October 22, 2015"

Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra spoke with the South Florida Sun Sentinel's Ira Winderman about the fine:

Green is preparing for his first season with the Heat after spending the past two with the Phoenix Suns. After originally making a name for himself as a high-flying dunker and winning the 2007 Slam Dunk Contest, Green has developed an outside game over the past few years.

During the 2013-14 season, he attempted 510 three-pointers (making 40 percent of them), showing he isn't afraid to shoot from distance. Perhaps that's the reason why he was throwing up finger guns Wednesday night. 

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald explained why that might not have been in good taste:

While it's fun and games when it comes to celebrating athletic achievements, those in the public spotlight have to be aware of their audiences and whether their actions might offend fans or send the wrong message.

Of course, that may not be in the fine print of their contracts, and athletes don't sign up to be role models. But it's something they should take into consideration so they don't get into trouble with their respective franchises or leagues. 

Stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com.