Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves was ejected from Friday night’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers after receiving his sixth foul.
Gobert raised a lot of eyebrows when he looked at the refs and rubbed his fingers together, implying that money had something to do with them calling him for a foul.
Gobert was seemingly saying that the refs were on the take and making money because he was out of the game.
After his team’s defeat, Gobert spoke with Jon Krawczynski and the press about his reaction to the referees.
Gobert said:
“I bite the bullet every game. I’ll be the bad guy again that speaks what I think is the truth. … Once again, I’ll take the fine. But I think it’s hurting our game. I know the betting and all that is becoming bigger and bigger, but it shouldn’t feel that way.”
More Gobert: “I bite the bullet every game. I’ll be the bad guy again that speaks what I think is the truth. … Once again, I’ll take the fine. But I think it’s hurting our game. I know the betting and all that is becoming bigger and bigger, but it shouldn’t feel that way.”
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) March 9, 2024
Gobert received a technical foul for the gesture, which allowed the Cavaliers to tie the game and send it into overtime.
Micah Nori, who was sitting in for head coach Chris Finch, spoke out against his player’s actions after the game.
“A technical foul with 27 seconds in the game, to be honest, is unacceptable,” Nori told AP.
He added: “That’s who Rudy is, but you’ve got to be smart. He made a visual that was automatic. He was obviously frustrated…but we have to be smarter.”
Gobert has always been outspoken and not afraid of sharing his opinions, but suggesting that the referees were perhaps betting on the game and making money off of his ejection is going to cost him.
The league will definitely review his comments and a fine will be coming shortly.
He was obviously frustrated with the game and the calls he was receiving.
Still, he will have to watch himself, his words, and his actions, or else it’ll keep costing him and his team.
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