(Author: Chandra Moulee Das)
Following Wednesday’s loss to the Phoenix Suns, the NBA fined Minnesota Timberwolves forward Rudy Gobert and coach Chris Finch for their negative comments about the refereeing.
Gobert, who was fined $25,000, expressed his frustration with the frequent free throw disparities the team faced. In the game against the Suns, Wolves had only 12 free throw attempts compared to the Suns, who had 27.
He said: “It’s really not fair. Every night. I’ve been in this league for 10 years and I always try to give the benefit of the doubt, but it’s hard for me to think that they’re not trying to help them win tonight.”
Gobert went on to say that he believes the same refereeing bias was present in previous games against the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors. As an experienced player, he found it disrespectful and disappointing.
Chris Finch had already expressed his concerns about not receiving enough calls
On the other hand, Finch was fined $15,000 for expressing his frustration when he noticed the huge disparity in free throws
Last week, the NBA also imposed a US$20,000 fine on Suns coach Monty Williams for publicly criticizing the disparity in free throws and fouls after a 122-111 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Speaking after the match, Finch pointed out: “It works because tonight they went to the line 27 times and we went to the line 12 times. To sit here and talk about that or anything else must have worked for them.”
Finch had already expressed his concern that the team didn’t receive enough fouls during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the beginning of the month. Despite their frustration, Gobert and Finch were fined for their negative comments towards the referee.