Sometimes, it’s just not your night. That was the case for Luka Dončić and the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, as they took on the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Mavericks were defeated and Dončić — as well as coach, Jason Kidd — were not around for the ending.
Late in the third quarter, Luka was driving and attempted a shot over Minnesota’s Jaden McDaniels. The shot missed and while there was contact between Dončić and McDaniels, no foul was called. Referee Rodney Mott apparently didn’t like the way that Luka was protesting the call and ejected him. Kidd then took up the argument for his star player. Shortly after doing so, he was ejected by referee Nick Buchert.
It was already a bad night for the Mavericks. Then, Luka Dončić and Jason Kidd got ejected. pic.twitter.com/qHdAIjndW2
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) December 20, 2022
Officials have long been a point of contention, but this has been particularly true in recent years — in basketball as well as football, baseball and pretty much any other sport that uses officials. So, when there’s a conflict between a star player and an official, there will inevitably be a strong reaction.
That was the case with Luka on Monday night.
Tim McMahon, ESPN: “It will be interesting to read the explanation in the pool report for why Luka Doncic got hit with two quick T’s for one walk-by complaint. Rodney Mott also tossed Doncic and ex-Mavs coach Rick Carlisle in a May 2021 game.”
It will be interesting to read the explanation in the pool report for why Luka Doncic got hit with two quick T’s for one walk-by complaint. Rodney Mott also tossed Doncic and ex-Mavs coach Rick Carlisle in a May 2021 game. https://t.co/rJbNLQZqi9
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) December 20, 2022
Bucket List Fans: “So excited to watch Rodney Mott, Nick Buchert and Mousa Dagher referee tonight! And boy did they deliver! Those fans really got their monies worth.”
So excited to watch Rodney Mott, Nick Buchert and Mousa Dagher referee tonight!
And boy did they deliver! Those fans really got their monies worth. https://t.co/R9yqsA8Hm7
— Bucket List Fans (@bucketlistfans) December 20, 2022
Eric L. Mitchell: “NBA Refs are absolute GARBAGE this season!!! Rec league Hacks.”
NBA Refs are absolute GARBAGE this season!!! Rec league Hacks. https://t.co/t5SVAvZLGM
— Eric L. Mitchell (@EricLMitchell) December 20, 2022
Amiliano “Amil” Fragoso: “I am once again asking for officials & the league to grow thicker skin”
I am once again asking for officials & the league to grow thicker skin😤 https://t.co/kcypkEbAOw
— Amiliano “Amil” Fragoso (@AmilianoFragoso) December 20, 2022
There is a delicate balance here.
We, of course, don’t know what Luka said to prompt the ejection. He didn’t argue in a demonstrative way, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t say something that crossed the line. If that was the case, the ejection was warranted.
The problem is that we’ve seen similar incidents recently. Ja Morant was ejected on Saturday in another incident that didn’t seem to warrant it. Jayson Tatum received a technical foul earlier in the season, that players around the league said was bogus.
Fans pay money to see the stars play. The networks pay big money to have games that feature star players. The referees are not the stars of the show. The best referees/umpires are the ones that realize that and genuinely do not want to be noticed. Too many others, though, don’t seem to follow that mindset.
None of that means that the players should be able to say and do whatever they want. There are limits. But when these conflicts persist, the roles the officials play in them get harder to ignore.
[Photo Credit: Bally Sports Southwest]
