The deteriorating relationship between the players and the officiating crews has been looming large over the entire season. Though the data shows that technicals and ejections are basically on par with where they were last season around this time, there have been plenty of high-profile run-ins involving superstars like LeBron James, Kevin Durant and others.
Karl-Anthony Towns joined their ranks on Friday night during the Timberwolves game against the Jazz in Utah, earning two quick technicals and an automatic ejection before halftime.
Most viewers and those in attendance felt it was a hasty decision by referee Kane Fitzgerald, who apparently assessed both technical fouls, which came within just moments of one another.
ESPN's mics picked up KAT saying "Damn… call that one!" before the tech that got him ejected (h/t @v_nat9) pic.twitter.com/JFn9A9yVz6
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) March 3, 2018
The Players Association and the Referees Association had both agreed to hold a summit during All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, but the officials were allegedly disheartened by a poor showing on the part of players, only two of whom – Andre Iguodala and Spencer Dinwiddie – showed up to the meeting.
Nonetheless, the officials came up with a four-point plan that was designed to help repair relations. But Friday’s incident involving Town was just the latest in a string of highly-visible showdowns between the two sides, each of whom believe strongly they have legitimate qualms that need to be addressed.
