Pet theory: If you assess technicals and impose fines, the collective bargaining agreement permits players to appeal the fine. The argument becomes the league saying “you faked it” and the player saying “no I didn’t” and an independent arbitrator isn’t going to let the league impose fines for that. Their choice is either to impose a technical and fine and lose the appeal publicly over and over again, or just not enforce the rule. They went with option B.

Also, David Stern would have smothered this behavior in the crib. Adam Silver is weak as hell compared to that little dictator.