Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajkovic was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Tuesday for publicly criticizing officials during a heated exchange with reporters after the loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Ta.
Rajkovic didn't go into how he felt about the Lakers being called for more fouls in the fourth quarter of the Raptors' 132-131 loss. The Raptors attempted just two free throws to the Lakers' 23, most of them to Anthony Davis, making them 13-14 on the night.
“That's outrageous,” Rayakovic said. “What happened tonight, this is complete BS. It's a disgrace. It's a disgrace to the referees. It's a disgrace to the league for allowing this to happen. They had 23 free throws and in the fourth quarter. Do we get two free throws?”
“Like, how do we play the game? I understand the respect for the All-Stars and all that, but we also have star players on our team.”
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Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajkovic during the second half of a game at Crypto.com Arena on January 10, 2024 in Los Angeles. (Sean M. Huffey/Getty Images)
While speaking, Rayakovic banged the table he was sitting on, clearly showing his dissatisfaction.
Perhaps Rayakovic knew he would be fined. Publicly criticizing an official will always result in a letter from the NBA. So he got his money's worth.
Raptors' Darko Rajkovic slams officials over free throw disparity: 'This is completely wrong'
Davis scored 20 of his game-high 41 points in the fourth quarter, including a perfect 11-of-11 from the line.
Rajkovic thought Raptors star Scottie Barnes, who was driving to the hoop, should have received the same treatment as Davis.
“how [is it] Scottie Barnes, who is probably an All-Star player in this league, goes to the rim with force every time, doesn't flop, doesn't try to get a foul call, tries to get to the rim. Can he get two free throws the entire game? ” Rayakovic said, banging on the table.
“How is that possible? How can you explain it to me?”
Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajkovic during the first half of a game at Crypto.com Arena on January 10, 2024 in Los Angeles. (Sean M. Huffey/Getty Images)
“Did they have to win tonight? If so, let us know so we don't come to the game. Just give them the win.”
Lajakovic added that he believes that is happening throughout the season, not just this game.
“It’s total bullshit,” he said.
LA's LeBron James commented on what happened against the Raptors: “I felt like they fouled us, but we didn't foul them.''
Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajkovic during a game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center in San Francisco on January 7, 2024. (Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
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Coach Rayakovic is in his first year as head coach and his team has a record of 15 wins and 23 losses.
