“Fining the referees for the f**k up!” Ex-NBA star GOES OFF on Fred VanVleet – officiating debacle
Houston Rockets PG Fred VanVleet's recent $50,000 fine did not go down well with former NBA star Gilbert Arenas.
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Fred VanVleet and Gilbert Arenas
On November 23, 2024, the Houston Rockets faced off against the Portland Trail Blazers. During the game, Rockets PG Fred VanVleet was involved in a tussle with the referees. With 4.3 seconds left in the 104-98 home defeat, VanVleet was ejected after being called for a technical foul. In the last seconds of the game, he argued an offensive foul call against himself, earning him the technical.
Not only that, but to make matters worse, the NBA imposed a $50,000 fine on VanVleet, for “confronting and directing profane language” toward officials in their game against the Trail Blazers. Regarding this, former NBA star Gilbert Arenas shared his take on his self-titled podcast, ‘The Gil’s Arena Show.’ He spoke about the problem with refereeing in the NBA.
“You’re penalizing a reaction. There wouldn’t be no reaction if you start penalizing the action first. If you start fining the referees first for the f*** up, you wouldn’t have this… I don’t need to f***ing crash out, I don’t have to. I know the league is going to get you for the s*** you done f***ed up with.”
Gilbert Arenas said on the Gil’s Arena Podcast
“There wouldn’t be a reaction if you start penalizing the action.”
— Gilbert Arenas (@GilsArenaShow) November 28, 2024
Gil breaks down the problem with refereeing in the NBA. pic.twitter.com/kfy8wx8j5W
As a seasoned player in his ninth season, VanVleet ought to have handled the matter more calmly. He had no right to treat any official with such disrespect, even if his annoyance was warranted. The 30-year-old yelled at the referee and nearly jabbed him.
VanVleet has already received a fine for his NBA officiating violations. Following a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2023, VanVleet called referee Ben Taylor “f***ing terrible tonight” in a foul-mouthed postgame tirade at a press conference while he was with the Toronto Raptors.
Jeff Teague opens up on Fred VanVleet officiating debate
Fred VanVleet has been making the headlines lately but for all the unwanted reasons. He has been fined $50,000 in a recent matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers. That said, VanVleet is subject to numerous consequences, including the $50,000 fine.
Former NBA player Jeff Teague chimed in on this topic recently. He claimed that the entire group of officials were outraged by FVV’s “f**k you” outburst, which may have resulted in him not getting any favorable calls for a month.
Refs is like a gang. They gonna stick together. So whoever he cussed out, they gon’ report that and they a gang. Them refs not gon’ f**k with him. He probably won’t get no calls for a good month.
On the Club 520 Podcast, Jeff Teague said
Teague supported his claims by relating a story from his playing days. He disclosed that he once cursed out Scott Foster, just like the Rockets guard. Teague observed that he never received another foul call from Foster after that episode.
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Kartik Mudaliar
(975 Articles Published)