Raptors head coach Darko Rajaković rips officials in table-pounding rage after a 1-point loss to the Lakers.
The Toronto Raptors lost by just one point to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, and Raptors first-year head coach Darko Rajaković opened his postgame news conference by launching into an explosive rant directed at the quality of the officiating, especially in the fourth quarter of the 132-131 loss.
That’s outrageous. What occurred tonight is pure B.S., Rajaković stated. This is a shame. Shame on the referees. Shame on the league to accept this. Twenty-three free throws for them, and we get two free throws in the fourth quarter? Like, how do I play the game? I understand respect for all-stars and all that, but we have star players on our squad as well.
They have to win tonight. If that’s the case, simply let us know so we don’t show up for the game; just hand them a win. But it was not fair tonight.
There are various causes for each loss, even a one-point one, but Rajaković was confident the officials cost the Raptors a win. The Lakers’ Anthony Davis scored 20 of his 41 total points in the fourth quarter, finishing 11 for 11 at the free-throw line. The Lakers shot 36 free throws Tuesday night, 23 in the fourth quarter, while the Raptors totaled just 13—only two in the fourth quarter.
How [is it] possible that Scottie Barnes, who is an All-Star-caliber player in this league, goes every single time to the rim with force, attempting to go to the rim without flopping and not trying to get foul calls, and he gets two free throws for a whole game?” Rajaković added, repeatedly striking the table. “How is that possible? How are you going to explain that to me?
They have to win tonight. If that’s the case, just let us know, so we don’t show up for the game,” Rajaković concluded. “Just give them a win. But it was not fair tonight. And this is not happening for the first time for us. Scottie Barnes is going to be an All-Star. He’s going to be the face of this league, and what’s occurring over here over [the] whole season… it’s pure trash.
Rajaković is now in line to get a rather large fine from the NBA for his disparaging comments against the referee. But the Raptors players were delighted that their coach had spoken up for them.
It basically says that he’s all for us as a family and as a team. Toronto starting center Thaddeus Young stated. “We’re always going to stick together. We’re always going to be behind one another as a family and as a team. We’re always going to stick together, and he’s always been behind us since Day 1 stepped in here. We love Darko to death. We think the world of Coach, and we really appreciate him coming to bat for us.
