NBA fines Fred VanVleet for rant against officials

Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet. Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

NBA fines Fred VanVleet for profanity-laced rant against officials

Originally posted on Hoops Rumors | By Alex Kirschenbaum | Last updated 3/9/23

The league announced that it is fining Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet after he took umbrage with the work of referee Ben Taylor following a loss to the Clippers on Wednesday.

VanVleet will be docked to the tune of $30K for his criticisms, per the NBA statement.

During the 108-100 defeat, Los Angeles shot 17 more free throws than Toronto. Taylor whistled VanVleet for a technical foul during the contest’s third quarter.

In his postgame remarks, VanVleet acknowledged that he would most likely incur a fine, before launching into his criticisms of Taylor’s officiating, and that of the other attendant referees in general. VanVleet observed that several of his technical fouls this season (five of eight, to be precise), transpired during games Taylor was officiating.

VanVleet alternately called the fouls “bulls—” and “personal” during his remarks, and singled out Taylor as being “f—ing terrible” on Wednesday.

VanVleet's diatribe can be heard below, but beware his remarks contain inappropriate language.

Fred VanVleet went OFF on referee Ben Taylor and NBA reffing in general in his post-game after the Raptors loss. Haven't heard anything like this. pic.twitter.com/VcMkGTh0k3
— Faizal Khamisa (@SNFaizalKhamisa) March 9, 2023

The 6-foot-1 vet, 29, has been enjoying a solid year for the 32-34 Raptors, technical fouls aside. He’s averaging 19.3 PPG on .391/.341/.899 shooting splits, 6.9 APG, 4.3 RPG and 1.6 SPG in 55 games this season, all starts.

This article first appeared on Hoops Rumors and was syndicated with permission.

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