Rudy Gobert T'd up for implying ref Scott Foster is betting on games by flashing a money sign
Rudy is going to get fined for this one
Rudy Gobert can probably expect a hefty fine and some stern words from the NBA after his latest on-court antics directed at referee Scott Foster fed into one of the league’s most resilient conspiracy theories.
During the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 113-104 overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, Gobert flashed a money sign at Foster after he was ejected in the final seconds of regulation for his sixth foul of the game.
While Foster didn’t see the gesture, another ref did and immediately called the technical on the T-Wolves’ big man. The implication couldn’t have been more clear.
Foster has long been the center of betting rumors in part due to his past relationship with disgraced former NBA official Tim Donaghy and Foster’s own history of questionable calls.
Rudy Gobert puts up the money sign at the ref and gets a technical foul pic.twitter.com/jLJob9DjNS
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) March 9, 2024
Rudy Gobert gets a technical foul for making money gestures
pic.twitter.com/B52BQmIeBJ
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 9, 2024
Gobert’s antics allowed the Cavs to tie the game at the free throw line and go onto take the win in overtime.
“My reaction, which I think was the truth, but it wasn’t the time to react that way,” Gobert told reporters. “It cost my team the game. It was an immature reaction.”
He also used his postgame remarks to expand on why he believes betting is hurting the league:
“I made some mistakes. I air-balled a dunk. Mistakes happen. Referees make mistakes, too. But sometimes I think it’s more than mistakes. I think everyone that’s in this league knows. I think it’s got to get better.
“…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,”
Gobert was fined $25,000 last March for similar comments after a seven-point loss at the Phoenix Suns prompted more criticism of how officials call games.
“I’ve been in this league for 10 years and I try to always give the benefit of the doubt, but it’s hard for me to think they’re not trying to help them win tonight,” Gobert said then. “It’s hard for me to think they didn’t try to help the Warriors win the other night or Sacramento Kings the other night. It’s just so obvious. As a basketball player that’s been in the league for so long, it’s disrespectful and it sucks, to be honest.”
On Friday night in Cleveland, the Timberwolves were called for 25 fouls compared to the Cavs’ 20 while free throw attempts were 36-22 in favor of Cleveland.
Yet Minnesota assistant coach Micah Nori, who was filling in for head coach Chris Finch, didn’t agree with Gobert’s assessment.
“I thought the game was called pretty much the same way, both ways,” Nori said. “I think both teams were a little bit frustrated, but that’s basketball.”
Now Gobert, the Timberwolves and NBA fans await to see how the league will respond.