Raptors Coach Fined $25,000 For Ripping NBA Officials
The Toronto Raptors coach was fined $25,000 by the NBA for ripping officials following a loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
Dwane Casey, the Raptors coach, was angry that there was no foul called in the closing seconds of the 93-92 loss to Atlanta. The play happened when Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan grabbed a rebound off a miss by teammate Alan Anderson. DeRozan went up for a shot but was blocked by the Hawks’ Al Horford, who also appeared to make contact with DeRozan.
Refs didn’t whistle Horford for a foul, though, and Casey went onto the court with his arms extended for an explanation from officials, the Christian Science Monitor noted.
After the game, Casey continued his criticism of officials, saying that replays proved a foul should have been called, Reuters reported.
“I’m tired of this,” Casey said during the news conference. “I’m tired of losing games because of missed calls at the end of the game. I know the league’s going to come down on me for this, but I don’t care.”
The NBA took action, deciding that the coach should be fined $25,000 for his outburst.
Though it will take a chunk of change out of his wallet, the NBA coach fined $25,000 is far from the league’s biggest offender this year. In December, NBA Commissioner David Stern levelled a $250,000 fine against the San Antonio Spurs after the team sent a trio of players home early from a road trip for extra rest. Stern noted that the team did not notify the league and didn’t follow proper protocol, calling the leave unwarranted.
