NBA fines Raptors’ Fred VanVleet $30K for rant at referees that included profanity

The Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet said, “I’ll take a fine, I don’t really care,” to start off his foul-mouthed rant on Wednesday. A day later, the NBA compiled and fined him $30,000 for “public criticism of the officiating.” VanVleet used that euphemism to describe what he said after the Toronto Raptors lost 108-100 on the road against the Los Angeles Clippers. VanVleet specifically mentioned Ben Taylor, the official.

“Most of the referees are trying their best. I like a lot of them. They’re quite fair, they communicate well, and then you have the other ones that just want to be,” one referee said (expletive). It only kind of messed the game up. Everyone comes to watch the players; nobody comes to watch that (crap). I believe that a significant portion of what the NBA is and was is being lost. This season has been poor.

He expressed that many guys were feeling clearly frustrated and emotional, but there are many individuals who feel that way. That was a tough loss. We got caught up in the moment a little, and it was a little emotional. Also Read: Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers Final Injury Report date – 10/03/2023: Are Kevin Love and Kyle Lowry Playing against Cleveland Cavaliers Tonight?

Ben Taylor and Fred VanVleet had a rocky past

During his team’s 108-100 loss to the LA Clippers, Ben Taylor issued Fred VanVleet his third technical foul. Seven minutes remained in the third quarter when the event took place. Three of the eight technicals given to the Raptors’ point guard so far this season have come from Taylor.

After Monday’s 118-113 loss to the Denver Nuggets, the refereeing had already been aggravating for the Toronto Raptors. They had a one-point lead late in the fourth when referee Scott Foster issued Scottie Barnes a technical foul, leading to his eventual dismissal.

In their previous game, the Raptors received 20 fouls against the Nuggets’ 12. While the Clippers received 18 fouls against them. The free-throw line was where there was the biggest difference, with the Clippers getting 17 more shots (31-14).

Fred VanVleet made references to Scott Foster’s controversial expulsion of Scottie Barnes in Denver as well as Ben Taylor’s performance in the Toronto Raptors-LA Clippers game. VanVleet proceeded to criticize Taylor and the officials while stating that he didn’t care whether he is penalized. Also Read: Los Angeles Lakers vs Toronto Raptors Final Injury Report date – 10/03/2023: Are Anthony Davis, Mo Bamba, and D’Angelo Russell Playing against Toronto Raptors Tonight?

VanVleet remarked, “You come out tonight, competing pretty hard, and I get a bulls**t tech that changes the entire dynamic of the game, changed the entire flow of the game.

“And the majority of the officials are working quite hard, as you may know. The referees are generally fair, work hard, and have excellent communication skills. Then there are those who just want to be d**ks and ruin the game in general. Moreover, nobody is coming to see that s**t.”

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