"It's Complete B.S.!": Raptors Head Coach Goes Scorched Earth On Refs & NBA

The Toronto Raptors feel they had a game stolen out from under them in LA Tuesday night, and head coach Darko Rajakovic let the NBA and its officials know all about it. 

In the final 30 seconds, Scottie Barnes had just tied the game with the Lakers with a three, but it was wiped out when a questionable offensive foul was called on RJ Barrett when the much larger Anthony Davis went flopping to the floor. Moments later, after AD free throws, the Lakers had a five-point lead and that was the game. Between that call and the 23-2 free throw disparity in the 4th quarter in favor of the Lakers, Darko let the league have it:

“That's outrageous! What happened tonight, this is completely B.S.,” Rajakovic exploded. “This is shame. Shame for the referees, shame for the league to allow this.

“How possible is it Scottie Barnes, who is All-Star calibre player in this league, he goes every single time to the rim with force and tries to get to the rim without flopping, not trying to get foul calls, he gets two free throws for whole game?” Rajakovic said. “How is that possible? How you going to explain that to me?

"23 free throws in the 4th quarter! What are we talking about? What are we talking about? How are we supposed to play?!

"What's been happening here all season, I've been holding back. But it's complete crap!"

Rajakovic suggested, in no uncertain terms, that the league and those three referees wanted the Lakers to win that game (which they did, 132-131).

“They had to win tonight?” he asked, rhetorically. “If that’s the case, just let us know so we don’t show up for the game. Just give them a win.

“That was not fair tonight.”

Raptors got robbed last night. One of the most one sided officiating in recent memory. That 4th quarter was crazy. Darko has every right to feel that way.

— Ball Don't Stop (@balldontstop) January 10, 2024

It should also be noted that the crew chief was Ben Taylor, the very same ref who was absolutely blasted by ex-Raptor Fred VanVleet after a game last year, also against the Lakers.

No doubt the NBA's head office will have the last word on this, and the Raptors coach will be much lighter in the wallet because of it. 

But good on him for sticking up for his troops.