NEW YORK, NY — The National Basketball Association (NBA) has levied a $25,000 fine against Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond for making a “gun-like gesture” towards an opposing bench, sparking widespread confusion among fans and players alike regarding the precise boundaries of on-court pantomime.

The league’s official statement condemned the gesture as “detrimental to the game,” prompting many to wonder if the NBA is now penalizing the *idea* of shooting more severely than, say, a poorly executed free throw. “I’m just trying to understand the rules here,” remarked one anonymous player. “I shoot a ball 20 times a game. If I pretend to shoot a ball, that’s a problem? What if I pretend to pass? Is that aiding and abetting?”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addressed the controversy, explaining, “While we encourage our athletes to engage in the physical act of propelling a spherical object towards a hoop, any non-ball-related simulation of that action, particularly one that could be misconstrued as aggressive, falls outside the parameters of acceptable sportsmanship. It’s about optics, people.”

Sources close to the league suggest that the NBA is now considering a comprehensive review of all player gestures, with potential bans on miming high-fives, air guitars, and even the universally understood ‘time-out’ signal, which could be interpreted as a hostile demand for cessation of play. “We want to ensure that all on-court communication is strictly limited to actual basketball actions or pre-approved celebratory dances,” stated a league spokesperson, who then mimed typing on an invisible keyboard.

Drummond has reportedly been advised by his team to limit all future non-verbal communication to interpretive dance or charades, neither of which currently carry a financial penalty.