NEW YORK — The NBA fined Minnesota center Rudy Gobert $100,000 on Sunday, two days after he implied that referee Scott Foster was not calling games fairly and further suggesting that gambling is having a detrimental impact on the outcome of games.
The fine is the maximum that the NBA could give under terms of the collective bargaining agreement that went into place last year, matching the $100,000 fine given to then-Philadelphia guard James Harden for his public trade demand last fall.
Gobert was called for a technical foul in the closing seconds of regulation Friday night in the Timberwolves’ 113-104 overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers when he rubbed his fingers together several times, the so-called money sign that he directed toward Foster.
“I’ll bite the bullet again,” Gobert said after that game. “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.”
The NBA said it found that Gobert directed “an inappropriate and unprofessional gesture toward a game official, and publicly (criticized) the officiating.” In announcing the fine, NBA executive vice president for basketball operations Joe Dumars said it “takes into account Gobert’s past instances of conduct detrimental to the NBA with regard to publicly criticizing the officiating.”
It is the fourth time Gobert has been fined for public criticism of officials. He is making $41 million this season.
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Rudy Gobert, the star center for the Minnesota Timberwolves, has found himself in hot water after being fined $100,000 for making a ‘money sign’ gesture at a referee during a recent game. The incident occurred during a heated matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers, where tensions were running high on both sides.
Gobert’s actions were deemed disrespectful and unsportsmanlike by the NBA, leading to the hefty fine. The league has strict rules against players showing up or taunting officials, and Gobert’s gesture clearly crossed that line. While he may have been frustrated with a call or upset about a play, there are proper channels for players to express their grievances without resorting to such behavior.
This is not the first time Gobert has been fined for his on-court conduct. In the past, he has been penalized for technical fouls and ejections, showing a pattern of behavior that the league is keen to address. As a key player for the Timberwolves, Gobert is expected to set a positive example for his teammates and fans, and his actions in this instance fell short of that standard.
In response to the fine, Gobert issued a public apology, acknowledging his mistake and expressing regret for his actions. He stated that he understands the importance of respecting the officials and will work to ensure that such incidents do not happen again in the future.
The Timberwolves organization has also released a statement condemning Gobert’s behavior and emphasizing the team’s commitment to upholding the values of sportsmanship and fair play. They have indicated that they will be working with Gobert to address the issue and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Overall, this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of respect and professionalism in professional sports. While emotions can run high during games, it is crucial for players to maintain composure and handle themselves with dignity and respect at all times. Hopefully, this incident will serve as a learning experience for Gobert and lead to positive changes in his behavior moving forward.
