Darko Rajakovic goes off against referees: 'It's a complete crap' / News - Basketnews.com

Rajakovic called the officiating at the game vs. the Lakers crap and BS, and proclaimed this was happening often.

Credit: Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press via AP - Scanpix Credit Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press via AP - Scanpix

The Toronto Raptors lost by a single point against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. After the game, the Raptors head coach, Darko Rajakovic, went on a fiery rant about the game's officiating.

Player of the Game EFF 47 Anthony Davis Points 41 Accuracy 13-17 Rebounds 11 Assists 6

The Raptors shot 13 free throws compared to the Lakers' 36. More glaringly, the guests shot just two in the fourth quarter, while the Lakers were at the line 23 times.

"That's outrageous. What happened tonight, this is completely BS, 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 4th quarter? How to play the game? I understand, [I have] respect for all stars [in the league], but we have star players on our team as well," the coach said in the post-game press conference.

"How is it possible that Scottie Barnes, who's an All-Star caliber player in this league, he goes every single time to the rim with force, trying to get to the rim without flopping and without trying to get foul calls, he gets two free throws for the whole game. How is that possible? How are you going to explain that to me? They had to win tonight? If that's the case, just let us know - we won't show up for the game. Just give them the win," Rajakovic proclaimed. "It was not fair tonight. This is not happening for the first time for us. Scottie Barnes is going to be an All-Star, he's going to be the face of this league. What's happening over here in this season, I've been holding back. It's a complete crap."

Asked whether he receives an explanation for the calls from the referees either during or after the game, Rajakovic categorically denied it.

"There is no explanation. They just come up there, they review it, and they see what they want to see. They don't wnat to hear what we've got to say, they don't want to hear the players. They don't just want to protect us. Over the game, they got 36 free throws, 23 free throws in the fourth quarter. What are we talking about? What are we talking about? How are we supposed to play?" he passionately answered.

"It's happening a lot, but I'm telling our guys - be professional, keep fighting, keep going for the next one. But until when? For how long?" Rajakovic concluded.

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