Raptors' Fred VanVleet fined for expletive-filled tirade at referees after Clippers loss
An angry Fred VanVleet didn't mince words in his postgame press conference Wednesday', ripping some of the officials' calls and singling out one he believes has a vendetta against him.
Using a variety of expletives for emphasis, the Toronto Raptors guard said he'll accept what is likely to be a sizable fine for criticizing the referees. He was right.
NBA executive vice president Joe Dumars announced Thursday that VanVleet was fined $30,000 for "public criticism of the officiating."
Following Wednesday's 108-100 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, VanVleet said a technical foul called against him by Ben Taylor "changed the whole flow of the game."
"Most of the refs are trying hard ... they're pretty fair and communicate well," VanVleet said. "And then you got the other ones who just want to be (expletives) and just kind of (expletive) up the game. And no one's coming to see that."
STAY UP-TO-DATE: Subscribe to our Sports newsletter now!
VanVleet made a point to say he didn't believe the officials were the reason the Raptors lost the game, but he expressed concern that some are turning the game into what he called a "power trip."
In particular, he cited the refs in Wednesday's game who hit him with a technical foul midway through the third quarter.
"Most of my techs this year have been with Ben Taylor officiating. So at a certain point as a player you feel it's personal and it's never a good place to be," VanVleet said.
"I'll take my fine for speaking on it but it's just this is (expletive) ridiculous."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fred VanVleet fined for postgame tirade against NBA refs
