Thon Maker is suggesting that CRAZY basketball fight this week could have been prevented if there was better security in the stadium -- insinuating officials should be breaking up fights, and not players.
Maker -- who plays for the Milwaukee Bucks -- was playing for team Australia in a FIBA match against the Philippines when things got chippy and a full-on brawl broke out.
Maker jumped right into the melee -- throwing flying knees at multiple players.
Now, he's apologizing ... saying he's "deeply disappointed" in his actions but justified the violence by saying he was trying to protect a teammate.
"My hope is that this experience provides a springboard for a discussion regarding the security surrounding these games," Maker wrote.
"I take responsibility for my actions knowing that they were a result of MY DESIRE to protect my teammates and myself."
It seems he's suggesting security should be tasked with the responsibility of breaking up on-court fights ... instead of players and team staff.
Maker continued ... "Being from a war-torn country, basketball for me has always been a means to bring people together."
"I feel a great responsibility as an NBA player to carry myself in a way that promotes peace and unity."