Raptors' VanVleet fined $30K for calling ref 'f-----g terrible'

Warning: Story and video contain coarse language

The NBA fined Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet $30,000 for his profanity-laced comments regarding referee Ben Taylor following Toronto's 108-100 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, the league announced Thursday.

VanVleet intensely criticized the referees in the Raptors' defeat but singled out Taylor in his postgame remarks. After stating he'd accept a fine, the 29-year-old said Taylor was "fucking terrible tonight" and called a technical foul he received in the third quarter from the veteran official "bullshit."

Fred VanVleet went OFF on referee Ben Taylor and NBA reffing in general in his post-game after the Raptors loss. Haven't heard anything like this. pic.twitter.com/VcMkGTh0k3
— Faizal Khamisa (@SNFaizalKhamisa) March 9, 2023

VanVleet added he feels Taylor has a personal issue with him, referencing the referee's involvement in his team-high eight technical fouls this season. Taylor has officiated six games involving VanVleet this campaign, with the Raptors guard receiving four of his technical fouls in those contests and the 10th-year official assessing him a technical on three occasions, according to TSN's Keerthika Uthayakumar.