NBA Hits Anthony Edwards With $40K Fine After Obliterating Refs
Bite the hand that feeds and expect punishment swiftly. Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards knew he'd be in the NBA's crosshair after criticizing the refs Monday following a win over OKC.
As a result, the NBA collected another pretty payday off players' conduct violations. The league announced a $40,000 penalty on Edwards after criticizing the officials.
Imagine how much $40K buys … it was time for Joe Dumars, Adam Silver and Co. to collect.
The NBA released its decision, to the groans of many around the league.
"Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards has been fined $40,000 for repeatedly publicly criticizing the officiating," Dumars and the league announced Wednesday.
Edwards stated that the game felt like an ‘8-on-5' after the referees looked the other way on contact from Thunder players. And despite edging the second-seeded Thunder team, 107-101, to keep their top seed in the West, Edwards couldn't believe the officials' malaise and went to town on the refereeing.
To Edwards, it was likely money well spent — winning the game and sticking it to the refs, letting them know he still came out on top.
Edwards went NSFW on his critique against the refs — calling it a bad night for officiating and later dissing the "cheating a**" effort by the refs. ‘Off’ the record, of course.
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Most argue Edwards went a bit out of bounds … but $40,000 is fairly steep for a seemingly innocuous comment. It highlights a terribly confused standard by the NBA regarding conduct discipline.
Major violations of conduct such as Ja Morant flashing a weapon on social media, twice, or Miles Bridges' off-the-court incidents often incur ‘slap on the wrist’ suspensions by the NBA. But when it comes to calling out a referee or inconsequentially kicking a basketball, the NBA pounces on players with a ticket in hand and an outstanding balance to pay.
Edwards, a smart, young talent in Minnesota, may lay off the complaints for now … though there's little doubt it felt great to pummel those refs.
Follow along on Twitter:@AlejandroAveela
Anthony Edwards doesn't plan on sharing his money. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)