Raptors’ Coach Uses Conspiracy Theory to Call Out Refs After Lakers Get 23 Fourth Quarter Free Throws
It’s safe to say Toronto Raptors coach Darko Rajaković will be hearing from the NBA about a potential fine.
That’s because Rajaković ripped the officiating in the wake of Toronto’s 132–131 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night in which Los Angeles shot 23 fourth quarter free throws while the Raptors only shot two.
“It’s outrageous. What happened tonight, this is completely B.S.” Rajaković began. “This is shame. Shame for the referees. Shame for the league to allow this. 23 free throws for them, and we get two free throws in the fourth quarter? Like, how to play the game? I understand respect for all-stars and all that, but we have stars on our team as well.”
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Rajaković didn’t stop there. He sent a message to the league, asking them to let the Raptors know if they need their opponent to win on a particular night. That way, they can just not “show up.”
“They had to win tonight,” Rajaković continued in his rant. “If that’s the case, just let us know, so we don’t show up for the game. Just give them a win. But that was not fair tonight. And this is not happening first time for us.”
Raptors HC Darko Rajakovic was BIG MAD after the Lakers got 23 free throws (to Toronto's two) in the fourth quarter of their 132-131 win.
— Kendall Baker (@kendallbaker) January 10, 2024
“They had to win tonight? If that's the case, just let us know so we don't show up for the game."pic.twitter.com/1AOcazPLoX
Rajaković was particularly miffed by the lack of foul calls for his young star Scottie Barnes, who only shot two free throws the entire game despite playing aggressively and getting to the basket.
While that rant certainly must have felt good for Rajaković as he got his frustration out after a tough loss, it’ll hit him in the wallet in short order from commissioner Adam Silver.
The Raptors return to the floor on Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Clippers.