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Utah Jazz: Rudy Gobert is still beefing with the refs

By Ryan Aston

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - NOVEMBER 21: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz reacts to a foul called by referee Eric Dalen in the first half of a NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Vivint Smart Home Arena on November 21, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - NOVEMBER 21: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz reacts to a foul called by referee Eric Dalen in the first half of a NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Vivint Smart Home Arena on November 21, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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The Utah Jazz may have been eliminated from postseason play, but that hasn’t stopped Rudy Gobert from going at NBA referees.

When last we saw the Utah Jazz on the hardwood, Rudy Gobert and Co. were watching their 2018-19 season come to a close at the hands of the Houston Rockets. Despite the fact that his team’s year is done, though, Gobert continues to do at least one thing he was known for this past season.

Namely, take shots at NBA officials.

Much has been said about the officiating during Game 1 of the Rockets’ second-round series against the Golden State Warriors, with James Harden saying “I just want a fair chance, man. Just call the game the way it’s supposed to be called,” after the contest.

Meanwhile, Gobert believes his squad is the one that didn’t get a fair shake.

The Stifle Tower took to Twitter with his thoughts on Sunday night, clearly confused by some of the non-calls during his own series with the Rockets and wondering why the Warriors were being allowed to defend the way they did on the perimeter —

Whether not the Warriors should have been whistled more frequently is definitely worth exploring; to say that Klay Thompson and others played jump-shooters tight is a massive understatement.

That said, the non-call on Harden’s 3-point attempt during Houston’s final possession that has grabbed the headlines was probably a good one. The Beard clearly kicks his legs out and into Draymond Green on the play —

Regarding Gobert, I would say that the talent gap and the Jazz’s poor start to their first-round series had more to do with them going home than the officials. Especially with their “backside” defense in play. The only real controversy here is whether or not the league will now fine Gobert for his comments, a point that wasn’t lost on Donovan Mitchell —

Mitchell’s tweet brought Royce O’Neale into the fold, and awesomeness ensued —

https://twitter.com/BucketsONeale00/status/1122624743490744320

https://twitter.com/rudygobert27/status/1122627583659663361

Next. Utah Jazz player grades: Donovan Mitchell. dark

For the sake of his pocket book, I would hope the league office agrees with Gobert’s assertion that he’s just commenting as a fan. However, something tells me that dog won’t hunt.

In any event, Gobert’s perpetual war of words with NBA officials wages on.

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