Fred VanVleet was right! - Stephen A. reacts to his comments on NBA officiating | First Take

Fred VanVleet was right! - Stephen A. reacts to his comments on NBA officiating | First Take
Stephen A. Smith and Monica McNutt react to Fred VanVleet's comments on NBA officiating.
#firsttake #nba
0:00 Video of Kevin Durant spraining his ankle during pregame warmups
0:55 Fred VanVleet press conference on 8th technical foul
1:45 Stephen A. on Fred VanVleet's comments on NBA officiating
3:30 Did VanVleet cross the line calling out ref by name?
6:00 Monica McNutt's thoughts on VanVleet calling out NBA referee
8:30 Stephen A. refs need to calm down ejecting players
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[@Bilnation]

VanVleet took the hit so we can move the conversation forward.

[@jerrardwelch2272]

It's crazy because Trae Young been called this out.

[@Viqtor]

@@jerrardwelch2272 Trae's a kid tho, its different when its a vet

[@kodyscot9360]

i love the way fred said " i'll take the fine F*ck it " whats $30,000 to him ?

[@jerrardwelch2272]

@@kodyscot9360 me too. That's also literally what Trae Young said. 🎯

[@Polo22546]

Exactly!!

[@TonyDanzaDancingExtravaganza]

Glad these refs are being called out, don’t matter who your team is you have to recognize that the officiating especially this year has gotten a *little* ridiculous

[@joeshmoe8134]

Or have players gotten more combative with referees? When has staring down another human ever gotten you what you wanted? Players need to understand the dynamic and stop trying to argue against a call. Just accept it and move on like every other adult in every other profession.

[@matthewhoward6106]

@@joeshmoe8134 Ah yes, the ol' don't question any of the calls as the refs are perfect. It's a normal reaction when you hear a bs call to get upset. Refs are softer than ever nowadays.

[@Tryingjoinaclan]

@@joeshmoe8134 why you commenting on every comment? Go get a job basement dweller

[@fringe_minority]

​@@joeshmoe8134that would work if their calls were always correct but they make so many mistakes accidentally and sometimes purposely. Foster literally took the game from Raptors in the last minute vs Nuggets by giving out non shooting bogus fouls and sending nuggets to the line and got butthurt when players complained so he ejected Barnes....unacceptable.

[@lordhuebi]

@@joeshmoe8134 Just accept unjustice and blatant, inexcusable mistakes and move on? I'm sorry but that's a pathetic way to go through life, I'd rather kill myself.

[@rini3159]

VanFleet did the NBA a solid by specifically call out a ref. They need to be held accountable because these calls easily turn the tides of close games.

[@desordenpublico]

I believe after sports gambling became legal …I think some of them are bought out for sure ….just like Bill Bur said ..I’m slowly becoming less of a sports fan by the years cause it’s getting nuts out there

[@princellasmith7562]

​@@desordenpublico 👀

[@kodyscot9360]

@@desordenpublico i stopped watching nba games 20 years ago. i do watch highlights though. the nba was rigged way before sports betting , they just more bold about it now. watch the 60 minute documentary about the crooked nba ref, that video will open up your eyes about the politics that goes on behind the scenes in the nba.

[@ceez8731]

so true

[@box5bastard277]

​@@kodyscot9360 so you admit stern and the corporate backing team made sure Jordache won right? I just want someone to be honest yell

[@alain1639]

And Fred seems like a great dude and nowhere as whiny as guys like Dray or Luka and he had enough, him and AD speaking out this season, there needs to be more of this.

[@tonys4299]

Jordan Poole was just had a tech the other day for passing the ball to a ref. This is Adam Silver's fault for allowing this nonsense.

[@jamesonedwardsii4943]

If you believe that you’re a fool……

[@sedohema]

Stop being a sheep

[@joeshmoe8134]

Jordon Poole is a child with no accolades trying to get the same treatment as MJ. He’s one of the worst whiners in the game along with his teammates Dray and Steph.

[@trajohnson2640]

@@joeshmoe8134 he does have a championship

[@fangman21]

@@joeshmoe8134 Both an be true. You don't think that T he got was absolutely ridiculous?

[@Jblanco20S]

Refs are making the NBA unwatchable nowadays. They need to be held accountable!

[@sedohema]

The game has been unwatchable for some time now and it's ALL on the players.

[@JD-te6vm]

Last time the NBA was a thing.. 2016

[@eduardopena5893]

Then don't watch.

[@jD873KiD]

The refs AND the players are making the NBA is unwatchable!

[@sedohema]

@@bryrashad the game is soft and stars missing 30 games a year and only a 3rd of that is due to injury and There's no defense

[@rogu3tharonin]

Fred Van Vleet just jumped up a couple ranks in my book. Trying to be discreet and not say who it is. They give you a fine anyways. Call them assholes by name. Maybe when you do that they'll start fining the refs.

[@Dawg476]

The fact that Scott Foster is still in the league after that controversy says all I need to know about the NBA’s integrity.

[@yungfresh726]

Facts!!!

[@Kyle11011]

Absolute joke of a referee who clearly shifts the game how he wants.

[@kadeemk4679]

As a Rockets fan I stopped watching the NBA once the Chris Paul vs Scott Foster Stat was pulled up. Paul Lost every game with that mf as a ref. How!?!

[@MeBihhhh]

Your team must have lost with him in😂 find a better excuse kiddo

[@kadeemk4679]

@@MeBihhhh I got a whole list of complaints lmfao 🤣😭

[@jacobmacgregor8403]

The problem with the refs is they are incredibly inconsistent with calls. Half the time they let clear fouls go, other times they call fouls on nothing. Same with technical fouls, dudes freak out and nothing happens or you say one thing and guys get tossed. All fans want is it see it called constantly. You can't have refs playing huge roles in games with bad calls.

[@eduardopena5893]

You also can't have out of control players breaking the rules all the time and nothing happening.

[@eduardopena5893]

@@bryrashad Precisely my point. They are a bunch of whiny, emotional, big babies and somebody needs to keep law and order on the court. TF are you talking about?

[@jacobmacgregor8403]

@@eduardopena5893 seriously man, players allowed to show emotion. Refs act like baby half the time when players disagree with the calls. I get refs aren't gonna be perfect but I've seen at least 5 games the past few weeks bad calls or technical fouls changed the way the games went. Refs not gonna be perfect but they gotta understand players got a right to get pissed when they mess up.

[@took__1t]

@@eduardopena5893idk if you know what “fines” are, but that should be said for certain refs in that case.

[@eduardopena5893]

@@took__1t It means you get docked some pay. Officials that don't perform get demoted and eventually weeded out. Some have even gotten fired. I don't know what more accountability you want than that.

[@dhanipersaud6227]

I think what Stephen A & Monica McNutt missed on the Vanvleet comments was that not only refs making bad calls and the bad calls are influencing the outcomes of games but there seems to be pattern/history with particular refs.

[@freeyourmindyourasswillfollow]

and teams...

[@liltunchijrjr5145]

Helps casinos keep making money trust they got a deal with gambling now A public one

[@mr.anderson3694]

No. Players inability to be clutch is what is influencing the outcomes of most games. There are bad calls, but that's always been part of the game. The best players overcome that while guys like Vanfleet whine about it because they simply don't have what it takes to overcome it.

[@bojanpejovic7691]

@@mr.anderson3694 you don't overcome officiating, you can hit a game winner, a ref can just call a travel, there may not be a travel to call, but a ref can just call it anyway. Remember lakers kings, remember wade shooting 18 free throws per game in '06 finals, officiating can absolutely win you titles.

[@GenericBG22]

​@@bojanpejovic7691Don't forget the Kings-Lakers back in 02

[@AegonThePomsky]

More players need to come out and talk the truth like VanVleet did. The random technical fouls and awful calls this year have been atrocious and downright embarrassing.

[@hdeodh]

I dont pay $200+ a ticket to watch guys from my team get ejected. I want to see passion, competition, and an overall intense game. If you give a tech and throw someone out late in the game (from either team) I will feel cheated.

[@Popthat123456789]

Especially when the tech/ejection isn’t warranted. That Scottie Barnes ejections was a joke.

[@koola998]

They will never face the media...

[@philipboles7810]

I totally agree with you! I also hate to pay a lot to go to a game and find out that 2 or 3 players are sitting out

[@toptiertech7291]

@@koola998 yeah imagine Refs had press conferences after to explain some calls

[@darius6917]

Well, the Raptors' last game vs Denver was completely doctored by Scott Foster at the end.

[@AAAAAA79473]

100%.

[@Bowditch200]

Thank you

[@ommaryoutube8443]

Yep was watching that game. Raptors were up in the fourth and there were like 10 calls in favour of the Nuggets (including a one technical ejection of Scottie Barnes) that won the Nuggets the game.

[@Kyle11011]

Straight facts. As a raptors fan, I appreciate a good game, win or lose. Scott Foster completely shifted the game for Denver to win…

[@SportNut1]

He is rigged af

[@optimistic1__299]

How bout let some of these refs get a interview 😂😂😂😂

[@andrewa9700]

Should be mandatory in all sports.

[@colinedelman6392]

@@andrewa9700especially soccer and the NFL! At least in the nba, we know why they’re so bad.

[@toddpacker1015]

@@colinedelman6392 NBA would be the easiest refs to fix. NFL are lost causes they're literally blind.

[@colinedelman6392]

@@toddpacker1015 it’s easy to fix because they know they are empowered by that commissioner. In the NFL, so many rules are terrible and yeah they just can’t see haha

[@williamwong3379]

Everyone else is put in front of the press. Refs says integrity of the games but no accountability or transparency in what they called??? How do fans trust in the system??

[@serialkiller77]

Fred gonna end up having to pay for these comments, but god bless you bro for calling them out. As a Lakers fan, we have had our share of joke calls this season that cost us several close games facts

[@joshvms1268]

Exactly. All the fan bases and players need to unite in this one. I’m sick of watching refs betting and fixing games and throwing out our favorite players for showing a little emotion. Drama is what makes sports exciting. We wanna see rivalries and trash talk. But now when someone passes the ball to a ref a little too hard or stares a guy down they get tossed. Ridiculous

[@Popthat123456789]

I’m still pissed about that that noncall on Tatum in that Celtics game and the Philly game where Russ was clearly fouled. Hopefully this forces Silver to actually do something. It’s making the game hard to watch.

[@tuple4986]

​@Popthat123456789 plus the double OT game against Dallas in January where non call on LeBron driving at the end of OT1. The 2 minutes report confirmed. Lakers would have been on 4th now if the ref did their jobs.

[@MickLoud999]

I'm quite sure when a player speaks out like that certain people kick in to help him "pay".

[@danieltatum4262]

He needs to pay for a new strait hairline also

[@user-im1kc6td2k]

The foul calls for last night's game was 31-14 for clippers ....so clearly the refs were trying to prove a point to the raptors after the Scott Foster issue .... they are showing solidarity with one of their own ...its fucked up and should be investigated...sad to say but the raptors are fucked for rest of the season after Fred's comments ...smh

[@emmanuelobodozie713]

@@shadow_realm47 the warriors dont get calls except someone might get injured or it's just too obvious

[@LatinLegacyNY]

Glad VanVleet did it because I know Randle was about to blow a gasket himself lol. It was only a matter of time. A lot of players have been frustrated with the officiating over the last several years. Especially after the bubble.

[@milsyburg3307]

@Kelly Q rozier flopped

[@milsyburg3307]

@Kelly Q i worked my magic

[@BadmanC3]

3:04 anyone else see that sneaky elbow from the ref to FVV?

[@bobmarley6219]

Yup he was getting an elbow right back

[@BigHeadTony]

I JUST commented this! If that’s vice versa what conversation are we having! That was crazy.

[@mikebyers1873]

Yep

[@skeeter12274]

i stand by Van Fleet 💯

[@tjones8778]

The officiating this year is horrible I’m glad he’s calling them out

[@AAAAAA79473]

With Toronto and VanVleet on this one. Both of these matches against the Nuggets and Clippers.

[@matthewoberson2440]

If anyone hasn't watched the Tim Donaghy documentary you should probably check it out. NBA refs control the outcomes of far too many games. Not saying rigged, but...

[@stanleymoumolua1446]

Thanks Matt. Boye! U couldn't have said it more. I was a teenager in the bay area but i remember the 2002 series between Sacramento kings and Lakers. Special game game 7 cuz the league wanted Lakers to go to the finals

[@088l]

yes problem with our society and issues is people cant use the correct verbiage describing issues. the wrong verbiage can make people shut off and ignore (defund the police vs reform/accountability). extremes don't get your message across. it just makes you loud and obnoxious. rigged is the wrong word for this situation. influence is the better term.

[@kadeemk4679]

Ill say it, It's rigged lol

[@martyleija1394]

I saw that documentary and I agree the refs do bet on teams maybe under someone else name

[@chillaxboi2109]

@@088l Exactly, can't be rigged if its a third party that hardly cares about who wins but "excitement" of the game which is most likely what most refs have as their main aim. Making games "exciting" but at the cost of it being a fair/grounded experience for all players. Nice use of verbiage, I usually use it just as a description of myself, never knew it had other meanings or uses.

[@JSmith-kh4vo]

NBA refs are terrible...I've been waiting for a player to call them out like Fred did.

[@Realmknjeeze]

Damm Fred earned my respect. .he got some baIIz

[@anthonysinclair8882]

YES YES YES!!!!!! These refs are getting out of hand. More players need to do the same

[@kevine-anaba4348]

nothing will change. refs are too protected. Adam silver doesn't care

[@christiankarlkarganilla2763]

It's been out of hand for a long time now. And the league has been enabling them.

[@travissorenson9554]

Fred VanVleet speaks for all fans with his comments

[@daragingbull]

I love it!!!!!!!! We need more players to step up like Fred!!!!!!

[@mboyd988]

I like this guy. What I like most is that he didn't run to social media.

[@AaronBrown2015]

Love what I heard from Vanvleet

[@PrinceH8907]

Joey Crawford giving Tim Duncan 2 techs and ejecting him while he was on the bench laughing is the greatest and funiest ejection in NBA history!!!

[@munefresh]

Here I am a Cavs fan, agreeing with Draymond (on Brooks) and FVV (on refs) in the same day.

[@pm7315]

Bottom line! The NBA has had a problem with Toronto since 1995.

[@jasonwhite6463]

Players can have off nights and get criticized for that. Refs deserve that same energy. Sometimes refs make bad and/or emotional calls and get in the way of the game. Calling them out is 100% OK.

[@diegomagellan]

Humans will human

[@manuelsoares9698]

I agree and a pattern seems to be developing with certain refs

[@simbehim]

Can we please talk about the late whistles? Refs have consistently been waiting to see if a player makes a shot or not before they make the call. I know I can’t be the only person seeing this

[@williamwong3379]

How about the phantom fouls at the beginning of the game? By the end of a game no one on one team is allowed defend

[@laz0rama]

seconded! late whistles seem to be a pandemic now.

[@shun8733]

Yep . Seen tht 1 too many times , I don’t like nba refs at all

[@saulshine1969]

Fred Van Fleet was spot on and this group of refers have just been horrible. What's the point of having 3 refs on the court if they aren't going to call the same game? Absolutely ruins the flow of the game.

[@KGisdaman]

The ref tried to bump him too League needs to look at that

[@scottrader6411]

4:32 Joey Crawford wanted to fight players, was suspended for a while and went to therapy for anger issues.

[@mikevic9366]

Fred is the only one that has the guts to speak up 32 free throw attempts to 14.. no NBA games are not rigged not at all.. Lol was it wise. It was the truth, did he cross the line.. Lol

[@tylerk4641]

Bravo to Vanvleet! Guys need to start speaking up like this

[@STKPYL]

What’s crazy is that after some games, the refs will post about a missed call in the game. But then nothing is done or no punishment is handed (at least that we know of) to correct this. And to be fair, FVV said they got outplayed last night. He wasn’t blaming the loss on the refs. Just that the flow of the game was affected by it.

[@bobcatch102]

he was been generous. I think the Clippers are a butter team than the Raptors but they had 34 foul shots and the Raptors had 14. I mean come on? Siakem constantly goes to the hoop and was awarded 4 foul shots. Love the NBA but the refereeing is on par with wrestling.

[@theologyandpipes]

FACTS!! Thank you Stephen A ✌🏼💯

[@nhiavang27]

These refs need to be more robotic. The players are allowed to show emotions because that is part of the game all fans like to see. The refs can't have their feelings get in the way of making calls.

[@manuelsoares9698]

I agree, a pattern seems to be developing with certain refs and they aren't able to remove emotions from their decisions.

[@thaferg525]

Van Fleet 👏👏👏 there have been several games ever since last year in the last three years where these refs got a chip on their shoulder they act like they the police out there something so Kudos and Applause to Fred Van Fleet for saying how he feels and calling these assholes out

[@respectbegetsrespect6019]

I have to agree with SAS on this matter. Terrible refereeing does affect the game and players. Certainly Refs are humans and will make mistakes/ bad calls but that's where advance technology can/should help out. Also, there are too many nonsensical techs from some Refs. It needs to be addressed by the bigger heads.

[@colinedelman6392]

Scott foster especially

[@markharmon4436]

3:04 why did the ref try to bump VanVleet!?!

[@SBxB2L]

Look that way I played it over he tried to catch the ball but Fred caught it and gave it to him

[@Helloim_anthony]

What a reach

[@Viqtor]

he caught the ball lmao relax

[@younlo]

That boy Freddy starting to look more like Drizzy 😂

[@paulettefrancissmellie8564]

Am pleased that Fred said what needed to be said. I sincerely hope that hope that this starts a serious conversation about the refs who seem to me to be out of control!

[@vegan.violist]

One more thing to point out. In the original interview, Fred also said the Raptors lost because they got outplayed, not because of the officiating. That tells you he is not making excuses.

[@cristinaf3844]

Great observation!

[@mattosgood28]

Absolutely love his comments here. 100% correct. I barely even want to go to games as a season ticket holder cause the games are typically ruined by a shitty ref. Either cowtowing to players like draymond green, or calling touch fouls on one end and allowing murder on the other end. Needs to be addressed.

[@shakil4001]

The take about her Dad being high school referee was a horrible take 😂

[@Matte0369]

Fred is what ppl who are just loud and dumb think they are: a true real one. Fred ain’t interested in talk but when he does he’s calling like it is and he actually is right whenever he does. He’s a good player and a straight forward dude that ain’t interested in playin games with ppl.

[@Bonus1123]

That tech on Tatum clapping due to SELF frustration was comical. 😂 FVV is right on this one

[@stulittles7108]

I love all the nicknames 🤣 M&M

[@reginaldperiwinkle]

I appreciate that these videos are time stamped so that I can skip a certain section -- you know which one.

[@RayMon504]

Refs need to start getting fined also. Plain and simple.

[@tooney97]

Nah they never gave Bron a tech against Boston it was just on Beverly for the camera

[@harshitahuja8036]

that cuz they just gave lakers a L that game with a terrible terrible decision..u cant defend that

[@jsgr5382]

Cant believe 6 people exist on this planet that liked that comment Peas and carrots. You're talking about two different scenarios

[@miyinan]

This is a good take!

[@maplante]

About time....

[@jtrix34]

We need more of theses refs names out there in the public. Cyber bullying might be the answer here.

[@joeshmoe8134]

Lmao….like threaten to go to their house and hurt their family? Go to their kids school? Death threats? What exact level of cyber bullying do men and women working their job “deserve”?

[@anthonyflores9433]

@@haashemmalik216 yeah you’re dumb

[@brandoncarneiro6063]

You need to be put into hospital straight away

[@soundvillxge1194]

@@haashemmalik216 nah your weird they deserve to get called out tho and criticized considering how much is on the line for players an how much money the refs get payed to be professional if players get put on the spot they should to

[@miltonemahan6276]

Nobody comes to see the ref. They come for the players.

[@BeastModeXCIII]

That’s the worst kinda ankle sprain 😕 happened to me. He planted with his ankle rolled already with FORCE as if he were planting the bottom of his foot to take off for a dunk 😖. Extremely painful and took me a full year before it felt like 100% again. And I was young too 19

[@michaelfredgren1342]

Kings fans are not thrilled with Ben Taylor's refereeing as well.

[@thepiratepenguin_]

I'm surprised the Players Association hasn't talked about the horrible reffing in the league. They really need to fix things, because no one is going to the game to see players get techs for passing the ball to the ref or talking to themselves.

[@mollyweir9350]

B/c they are part of the machine. And they have certain things that they signs if on when you enter the league + let's face it $$$ matters. How many are willing to sacrifce $$ or yet go against the secret society & before you know it out of the league.

[@benlee4573]

Need more players like Fred VanVleet to speak up. Officiating will only get better if they get called out 🤷‍♂

[@lovellbinns1524]

Thats crazy!

[@nicholaspetrilli3971]

Caesers palace in the background as Stephen a talks about nba refs 🤣

[@portbasic2333]

Stephen A right, emotions and passion are part of the game!

[@PWCDN]

Preach it SAS

[@jumpinjohnnyruss]

To protect your ankles, strengthen them. Jogging on uneven ground can really help (just make sure there aren't any huge divots and don't lose focus on the ground).

[@respectbegetsrespect6019]

Refs do determine the tone and outcome of games. They either help or hinder teams/ players. Certainly it helps when teams/players play smart and together to separate themselves from their opponents but when games are close, that one or two bad call causes a huge impact on the outcome of the game. So yes, this problem of officiating needs to be addressed pronto.

[@Slang666]

Kawhi double dribbled, traveled, and put a knee in the stomach/groin of Jakob when he dunked in the 4th QTR...none called!!! BS

[@dbutta2496]

That dunk wasn’t a foul fool

[@mollyweir9350]

There was akso a play in the 3Q when Raps came chsrging back when he got tied up with Yak and instead of a jump ball they called a foul on Yak.

[@tylertheurer9122]

The problem was clearly on display in the recent OKC/Warriors game (just an example, I've seen it happen all year). The officials called maybe 2-3 fouls in the entire first half for both teams, then with no real change to the physicality of the game the third quarter saw the Thunder shoot about 30 free throws in 12 minutes. They are too inconsistent, and it is clearly a huge point of frustration for the players. Then they call technical fouls BECAUSE the players are frustrated with the poor and inconsistent performance by officials.

[@OGD5000g]

Stephen A. commenting on refs,with Ceasar Palace as a backdrop. 🤣🤣🤣

[@swordboy5477]

The league acts like they don’t know why ratings are steadily falling while continuing to totally ignore bad refs and load management. It’s really getting old.

[@keiongarnett1825]

If the NBA are trying to polish their brand, then they need to start fining refs for these bogus calls because it's getting ridiculous

[@notDonaldFagen]

When SAS is making sense, you know the situation is really bad.

[@theemario]

Can’t argue.

[@justinherbert9146]

I watched the refs put Luka on the free throw line NINETEEN TIMES the other night, and put the Mavs on the free throw line 13 more times then the opposing team -- the refs did what they could to tilt the game towards Dallas - but they still lost the game at home in their own building. PS- bad karma for KD he was treated really well by Nets owner and management but bailed on them so not rooting for him or that headcase kyrie to win anything

[@ThinkBeforeYouAct]

KD and the Nets ownership came to an amicable agreement and were on great terms when he left, which is why they traded him to the team he wanted to be on instead of elsewhere, like Kyrie.

[@theflysubjecttv1308]

Facts

[@justinherbert9146]

@@ThinkBeforeYouAct -- Nets owner Joe Tsai paid KD $45 million dollars in his first season knowing that KD would not play a single game for the Nets the entire season while he rehabbed from his surgery. Imagine being paid $45 million dollars by a company while you rehabbed an injury you sustained at your prior job. Unheard of! And how does KD repay Nets management - by demanding to be traded. He should have stayed a Net, they hired a talented black head coach but KD showed zero brotherhood and support by bailing on Coach Vaughn. I hope KD and kyrie irving never win another ring, two selfish, self centered creeps.

[@ThinkBeforeYouAct]

@@justinherbert9146 you’re trying to put yourself in the owners shoes 😂that’s not how he feels. Those are YOUR feelings

[@justinherbert9146]

@@ThinkBeforeYouAct Joe Tsai is pissed at those two con men who took him for a fortune and hardly ever played -- and what about NETS fans - those two creeps treated the Nets fans like garbage

[@themachine379]

Fred was right

[@johnplacca4746]

When you got the quote on quote quiet players having problems you know its right

[@tmotivate]

“Right Said Fred?” Well played

[@jerrardwelch2272]

Fred Van Fleet has gained a fan!

[@hert10]

The ref kinda pokes his elbow out at 6:20 when he makes contact with Fred. Subtle, but definitely shows the refs mood at the moment. No doubt the refs are going to carry their own biases based on their personal perspective and experiences. It shouldn't decide games...I don't think that was the case here though.

[@shaungreene751]

thanks for keeping it a buck SA

[@toddfreeman8132]

Preach

[@kylebakerink3303]

U can literally see the ref intentionally try to sneak a little elbow at Fred. They’re like the cops. Just abusing their power

[@theepicone9995]

If these 2 past games cost the Raptors a Playoff birth, I will lose it, 2 game they should have won.

[@stevemcewan8129]

I agree with you to a certain extent but they've also had some bad losses to some bad teams that they can't get back too bad they're playing so well now only to have the rug taken right from underneath their feet it's definitely been a tough season to watch. They're much better than their record is

[@arieslove6144]

Exactly SAS.

[@nbarealtalker]

I think in old school NHL there was either an actual written or at least unwritten rule that a player can cuss out an official for a certain number of seconds until it becomes an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. NBA needs to take a page out and allow players to react. Only antics or theatrics exceeding a certain level or amount of time should qualify. But turning your back to an official and calling a call garbage should never result in a technical foul.

[@Gillz22]

This year the refs have been insufferable. Terrible calls/non calls. They’ve always been sus, but this year I’ve never seen anything like this. Good on FVV. He said what a lot of players wanted to say.

[@bryantwalley]

It pretty sad that the NBA will fine a player for telling the truth instead of actually addressing the poor officiating.

[@xkaosG]

Mark Daigneault was complaining about the officiating in the suns thunder game yesterday too, it's only getting worse and worse

[@leaveblank2]

its them low top sneakers when you got matchstick legs and ankles for me

[@mellofuego4917]

VanVleet is my new hero.

[@Samsonmanase]

There needs to be a middle ground for holding refs accountable for bad calls

[@edwardchau6871]

Thank you Fred for speaking out

[@liljuno22]

Was I the only one to see the ref throw a elbow in the video when they got close? Lol

[@SaharaKnows]

Yea finally a player saying what needs to be said. Adam silver and refs are ruining the nba product. Nobody is gonna watch in 10 years if still goes down this path

[@sedohema]

Adam already let the players ruin the game the refs are just the cherry on top

[@timwindling436]

Unless you planning on handing out refunds to the fans refs need to be careful with these techs. It’s the same in the G-League. I dropped $100 to see the 905 vs G League Ignite and Scoot Henderson was ejected in the 3rd. Significantly alternated the game and was not the same product.

[@cuomosrevenge947]

You payed $100 for a g league ticket?

[@davyjoneslocker4859]

@@cuomosrevenge947 yeah cause he enjoys basketball

[@cuomosrevenge947]

@@davyjoneslocker4859 yeah me too that's why I dropped more than that to get into the building to see bron play I hope that's courtside for the g league tho

[@davyjoneslocker4859]

@Cuomos Revenge lol hopefully he did get Courtside

[@cuomosrevenge947]

@@davyjoneslocker4859 I didn't really mean to critique him personally its just funny they would charge that much... im pretty sure the warriors g league games aren't that much and the arena is pretty small... between that and any footage Ive ever seen of a g league game I just wonder why charge a lot for tickets when the league itself is prolly nowhere near profitable and, rightfully, any dude playing in the g league would rather get a 10 day with the worst team in the league than win a league championship

[@ComboBreakerHD]

Gotta love Fred he's got that Rockford in his DNA. Just straight up real talk. And it's perfect on the Raps because Masai and Bobby encourage him to say whatever he wants at all times.