T-Wolves' Rudy Gobert Fined $100K After 'Inappropriate' Gesture, Comments Toward Refs

The NBA announced it fined Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert $100,000 "for directing an inappropriate and unprofessional gesture" toward a referee along with publicly criticizing the officiating in his team's 113-104 overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Gobert received a technical foul in the fourth quarter after mimicking a money gesture with his hands toward the refs.

In case that was too subtle, the three-time All-Star implied gambling interests could be influencing NBA games.

"I'll bite the bullet again," he told reporters. "I'll be the bad guy. I'll take the fine, but 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."

Whether from a coach or player, openly criticizing the referees always draws a fine from the NBA, and the league was bound to come down harder on Gobert based on the nature of his remarks. ESPN's Bobby Marks noted this was the maximum amount allowable under the collective bargaining agreement:

The NBA hasn't experienced a major gambling-related scandal since referee Tim Donaghy admitted in 2007 to betting on games.

With the growth of legalized gambling in the United States, though, sports leagues have to be even more vigilant about proactively eliminating any perceived impropriety about the integrity of its games.

Dean Blandino, the former vice president of officiating for the NFL, told Brandon Contes on the Awful Announcing Podcast in December the league "had situations where people were approached" in the past about influencing games for betting purposes.

Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, who served as the acting head coach Friday, knew Gobert went too far with the money gesture.

"A technical foul with 27 seconds in the game, to be honest, is unacceptable," he said. "That's who Rudy is, but you've got to be smart. He made a visual that was automatic. He was obviously frustrated — both teams were — but we have to be smarter."

More than the fine, Gobert's actions might have carried a steeper cost on the court. Thanks to his technical, Cavaliers guard Darius Garland sank a free throw to tie the score and send the contest into overtime.