Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert picked up an ill-timed technical for making the “money” sign to officials after fouling out Friday night, but he didn’t back away from his accusation that their calls can be influenced by gambling, according to Joe Vardon and Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic.
The technical, which allowed the Cavaliers to tie a game that they went on to win in overtime, came after Gobert was whistled for his sixth foul with 27.8 seconds remaining. He admitted that his reaction was a mistake, but he believes the reasons behind it are justified.
“Mistakes happen. Referees make mistakes, too,” Gobert said. “But sometimes I think it’s more than mistakes. I think everyone that’s in this league knows. I think it’s got to get better.” After saying he expects to be fined for his comments, Gobert added, “I know the betting and all that is becoming bigger and bigger, but it shouldn’t feel that way.”
Gobert has a history of being outspoken about officiating throughout his career, the authors note. Speaking to reporters because head coach Chris Finch was ill, assistant Micah Nori called it “unacceptable” to get T’d up in that situation, no matter how strongly Gobert feels about the subject.
“We just have to be smarter,” Nori said. “I think he made a visual or something, it’s kind of automatic. And we all know Rudy. There’s no more professional guy than him. In that moment, for him to do that, obviously he feels awful about it. We just gotta be a little bit better.”
There’s more from the Northwest Division:
- Chris Hine of The Star Tribune examines how the Timberwolves can survive without Karl-Anthony Towns, who’s lost for at least four weeks with a torn meniscus. Hine points to Kyle Anderson, Naz Reid, Jaden McDaniels and Mike Conley as players who have to contribute more until Towns returns.
- The Trail Blazers welcomed back starting center Deandre Ayton and rookie point guard Scoot Henderson tonight. Ayton had been sidelined since spraining his right hand in a February 27 game, and Henderson hadn’t played since before the All-Star break because of an adductor strain. Coach Chauncey Billups said Henderson will start out under a minutes restriction, but will eventually be reinstated into the starting lineup, tweets Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report. Billups also expressed hope that Shaedon Sharpe can return from core muscle surgery before the end of the season (Twitter link). “This has been tough on him,” Billups said. “He wants to play 82 games. He’s one of those guys. … If he’s healthy, we’d love to have him back. I don’t care how much of the season is left. He’s a guy who needs those reps.”
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander believes the Thunder have the talent to compete for an NBA title this season, telling ESPN (video link), “I think we’re capable of anything.”
Gobert called it out then back peddled. Amazing now how guys now can’t stand by what they say to the fullest.
Except that he didn’t. He stuck by it, just said it was poorly timed.
He was wrong, of course, as he deserved all six of his fouls. But the general point was correct.
Ruddy needs to stay away from the conspiracies. Do we not remember what happened last time?
Gobert saying he believes the refs are making calls based on gambling will be a big deal to the league. His fine could be a record amount since it’s attacking not just the individual refs, but the integrity of the entire officiating staff.
He was fined $100k.
It would be nice to see OKC get to the WCF but it will be tough. They know they will need a big that can help rebound in the offseason.
Their first round match ups could be any of Sac, GSW, LAL, Mavs, or Pels. The only team without a big that can dominate is GSW. The Mavs new bigs could be problem but they are not like a Sabonis, AD, or Val. They can’t let someone do what Nurkic did and get 31 rbs.
Billups says: Sharpe needs those reps? Billups doesn’t have a clue what Sharpe needs, all Chauncey has done is abuse this young star with his mouth and how he’s used by Billups! Sharpe should be “the man” with his court vision and passing ability, while Billups tries to turn him into a spot up shooter. Billups has grounded the high flyer and caused Shae to regress. Probably be traded and will become the next MJ, yea he has that kind of talent.