Gobert was called for a technical foul in the closing seconds of regulation Friday night in the Timberwolves’ 113-104 overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers **when he rubbed his fingers together several times**, implying referee **Scott Foster** might be on the take.
After being whistled for his sixth foul and being ejected, Gobert stayed on the floor and made the gesture as Foster was going to the scorer’s table. Foster didn’t see Gobert, but official Natalie Sago did and issued the technical on Gobert.
Following the game, Gobert, who has a reputation for being outspoken, didn’t deny what he did and went further in saying gambling could be having a major impact on the outcome of games.
“I’ll bite the bullet again,” Gobert said. “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.”**
Gobert’s actions and remarks almost certainly will be reviewed by the league. He faces a possible fine and suspension. ([Source](https://apnews.com/article/rudy-gobert-nba-technical-gesture-8ffebe7f010fce6e31904addf757a9d4))
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On the one hand Gobert was highly dislikable, always complaining and crying, and made fun of Covid by [joking](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYC6oQIAzbI) to spread it around a few days before he tested positive.
HOWEVER
1) Legalized betting means more money coming in and a higher chance of someone inside the NBA being drawn in.
2) Scott Foster did receive [134 phone calls](https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/scott-foster-recipient-of-134-tim-donaghy-phone-calls-refereeing-celtics-heat-game-3/) from referee *Tim Donaghy* between October 2006 and April 2007.
And so, Gobert isn’t 110% wrong like he usually is.
What does everyone else think?
I have no doubt Adam Silver will be throwing down the gauntlet soon – however the higher the fine the more suspicious it will all be.
by sw995
29 Comments
Scott Foster wasnt any worse than he usually is, the 2 younger refs probably felt some pressure from the crowd and made some calls in favour of Cleveland but overall while it wasnt fair, it wasnt some rigged game. The Wolves had a very good chance to win if Gobert didnt make the money sign.
I don’t think NBA refs are betting on the game, and I don’t think NBA games are rigged
….however, I do think the league favors certain teams and players and tries to give them the benefit at times during games.
Short answer: no.
Long answer: noooooo.
No.
Of course he is right. Scott Foster was Tim Donaghy’s co-conspirator.
Yes
Betting is becoming a problem with how the game is presented and talked about. I don’t think refs are making calls to push lines on a night to night basis though.
NBA refs are absolutely aware about the spread.
Ofc he’s right, the nba would have never got Tim donaghy if the fbi didn’t get involved.
yes
Get gambling back out of basketball, it’s going to ruin the neutral image and I don’t fucking care what the +/- from draft kings is, why am I hearing about it in the pre game.
Bunch of delusional people in the thread
It’s not pre determined but it is soft rigged commonly. The nba did not just happen to find the perfect group of people with infinite integrity to be on the up and up every night. It could be for gambling or vendettas or stories we don’t know. But there’s too many results every year to earnestly believe it never happens.
And when it does it’s usually Scott Foster
The NBA and betting companies are making bank regardless of who wins or who losses. Why would they risk it? The Denver/Miami finals weren’t record-breaking in terms of viewership but did the NBA lose steam in raking in the big bucks? Did betting companies? I wouldn’t put it past the referees doing their own thing though
I think think the dangers of sports betting are still underestimated and at this point it is too late, generally speaking. Only political intervention can change that. For the league it will only get worse. Just read comments on social media posts when somebody loses a bet because of one player not scoring enough and see how many likes these comments get.
Gambling ruins sports
Tony Brothers
I’m starting to like Rudy Gobert more and more everyday.
In general no, the refs always get complaints on every level throughout the history of this game.
the whole gobert covid thing was some overblown bullshit
Mixing it officially has clearly been a problem.
Yes.
I need some insider tips.
You think fining someone a lot of money for implying the league is rigged, is proof that the league is rigged? lol
This subreddit has already made up its mind so I’m not gonna bother trying to argue the other direction. Why do you guys even watch if it’s all rigged?
I’d give -500 odds that he is.
Use code “BAN GAMBLING ADS FOR THE LOVE OF FUCK” for a 1% discount on your first bet.
All went downhill when they started to allow pro sports in Vegas. Downvote if you will, but it’s literally the reason pro sports weren’t allowed in Vegas.
And look where we are now lol
Of course its happening. there is no way this was entirely centralized to Donaghy and it all went away as soon as he took the fall.
It’s more of an open secret at this point. Everyone knows, but they wont talk about it because that is bad for business.
Does corruption happen
Listen, I know it’s easy to hate on the officials but I would like to see them treated better lol. They get verbally abused all game after every single call/no call. It’s actually kind of disgusting to watch after a while.