The NBA fined Rudy Gobert a hefty $100,000 on Sunday for criticizing officiating.
After fouling out of Friday’s game between his Minnesota Timberwolves and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the former Jazzman appeared to rub his fingers together in a money gesture, allegedly directing the move at referee Scott Foster.
Referee Natalie Sago saw the gesture and issued Gobert a technical on top of his sixth foul.
In a post-game interview, Gobert spoke about the incident, criticizing the quality of the officiating and even implying sports betting was involved.
“I’ll bite the bullet again,” Gobert said, per ESPN. “I’ll be the bad guy. 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. … It’s not just one call. Everyone makes mistakes, but when it’s over and over and over again, of course, it’s frustrating.”
A statement released by the NBA explains that Gobert was officially fined for “directing an inappropriate and unprofessional gesture toward a game official, and publicly criticizing officiating.”
Gobert’s history of criticizing refs
Gobert has never been one to shy away from saying what he thinks.
The NBA’s statement says the amount of the fine “takes into account Gobert’s past instances of conduct detrimental to the NBA with regard to publicly criticizing the officiating.” Gobert’s latest penalty is the largest fine doled out without a suspension since James Harden was fined $100,000 last August, per The Athletic.
Sunday’s fine marks the fourth time the outspoken Frenchman has been fined for criticizing officials.
The four times he has been fined are:
- Dec. 4, 2018 — Fined $15,000 for criticizing officials to the media after a Jazz loss to the Miami Heat.
- March 5, 2021 — Fined $20,000 for comments made about officials after a Jazz loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
- March 15, 2023 — Fined $25,000 for criticizing officials after a Minnesota Timberwolves loss to the Phoenix Suns.
- March 10, 2024 — Fined $100,000 for criticizing officials after fouling out in a game against the Cavaliers. The Cavs would go on to beat the Timberwolves without Gobert.
Gobert isn’t alone in his criticism ... or his fines
Gobert isn’t the only person to be fined for criticizing officials this season.
While the NBA claims that referee errors are down across the league this year, per Sports Illustrated, several highly scrutinized missed calls, including missed calls on Lebron James and Ausar Thompson, have people across the NBA crying literal foul.
Gobert joins the list of several other players and coaches who have also spoken out about the quality of officiating and been dinged for it throughout this season.
That list includes:
- Taylor Jenkins, head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies, who publicly criticized officials and was fined $25,000 in November.
- Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers, who was fined $35,000 in November for saying referees did a “poor job,” per ESPN.
- Clippers coach Tyronn Lue, who was fined $35,000 in February for criticizing officials.
- The Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards, who was fined $40,000 for criticizing officials in January.
- Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic, who was fined $25,000 for criticizing officials in January.