Raptors coach, Nurse, fined $15K for comments about officiating
TORONTO — Kawhi Leonard appreciates his coach’s support, but it came at cost.
Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse was fined US$15,000 by the NBA on Tuesday for comments he made to the media about officials following the Raptors’ 95-86 loss in Denver on Sunday.
“It’s great . . . he can see the game,” Leonard told reporters after Tuesday’s practice. “We’re playing it and we might see it a certain way and we always feel like we’re right on the floor, but when you have your coach watching it and seeing the same things you’re feeling, then it’s great.”
Nurse had lashed out at officials, saying he didn’t understand why they were allowing opponents to “play one of the best players in the league so physically.”
“It’s been going on all year,” Nurse said after the game. “But tonight was a very severe case of a guy who was playing great, taking it to the rim and getting absolutely held, grabbed, poked, slapped, hit and everything, and they refused to call any of it. It’s unbelievable to me.”
C.J. Miles said bigger, stronger players such as Leonard routinely take a beating because they’re capable of playing through a lot of contact.
“Sometimes, getting hit, it might not look the same as if Freddy (VanVleet) went in there and got hit, but it’s still a foul,” Miles said.
He believes a vocal coach can translate to favourable calls on the floor.
“It helps. I played for Jerry Sloan (in Utah) and he talked to the referees in a way, I don’t know how to put it, but definitely, they hear you,” Miles said. “They’re human beings, they make mistakes, the way you approach them, the way you talk to them definitely makes a difference.”
Nurse said Tuesday that his comments were a long time coming.
“So I just thought it was time to do it. And I’m gonna back my players,” the coach said. “I don’t mind physicality. I don’t mind it in the least, both ends of the floor.”
Sunday’s game at Denver capped a fourgame western road trip that saw the Raptors go 2-2.
Despite the two losses, the Raps (23-9) continue to lead the league. They host Indiana tonight and Cleveland on Friday.
Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore was also fined by the NBA on Tuesday, $10,000 for throwing the ball into the stands during a loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.