UTAH JAZZ
Jazz Center Rudy Gobert Ejected Minutes Into Game Against Houston
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert showed some clear frustration after picking up his second foul just 2:47 into the game against the Houston Rockets.
As Gobert was heading to the bench, he slapped a water bottle that was on the scorer’s table. Officials saw the action and responded with an ejection from the game.
LOL Rudy Gobert gets ejected three minutes into game after going insane and slapping drinks off the scorer’s table pic.twitter.com/fpvuDbWg1v
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) December 7, 2018
In that time frame, Gobert recorded two points, one rebound, one assist and one turnover. His first foul occurred just one second into the game and the second came with 9:13 left in the first quarter on an offensive foul.
Meanwhile in the Jazz locker room …
(via rudygobert27/IG) pic.twitter.com/Qg6JicrVth
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) December 7, 2018
After the game, Deseret News’ Eric Woodyard was able to talk to the officiating crew about Gobert’s ejection.
NBA Crew Chief Tom Washington on Gobert’s ejection: “Because when he was coming off the floor he forcefully swung at items on the scorers table. Those 3 items came out to the floor with considerable amount and that was just too monstrative of an action and we had to take action.”
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) December 7, 2018
After the game, Gobert talked to the media about being ejected so early in the game.
“I had a stupid reaction,” he said. “I think I can blame myself more than anything.”
According to ESPN, Gobert’s ejection was the fastest that a starter has been ejected from a game in 15 years.
“I’ve got to be smarter,” Gobert said. “It didn’t cost the team tonight, but it can cost the team. Losing me in the first quarter is not the smartest thing to do.”
The game was being broadcast on TNT with Kevin Harlan and Reggie Miller calling the game. Miller said on the broadcast that Gobert deserved to be ejected.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith disagreed with Miller on Twitter.
To my brother .@ReggieMillerTNT. Love ya. You know this, but I respectfully disagree. Yes, @rudygobert27 has got to control himself. But slapping a paper cut on the scorer’s table does NOT warrant an ejection. A tech? Yes! But not an ejection. The @NBA has got to cut this out!
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) December 7, 2018
The person who hands out fines and suspensions to NBA players and coaches, VP of Basketball Operations Kiki VanDeWeghe attended the Jazz game against the Rockets.
Kiki VanDeWeghe, the NBA’s executive VP of basketball operations, is at the game in Utah tonight. So he got an up-close look at Rudy Gobert getting tossed so quickly. I’m sure some Jazz folks will want a word with him.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) December 7, 2018
Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix had some comments about the officials on Twitter.
Rudy Gobert ejected three minutes into the game. Fans didn’t come to see you, refs.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) December 7, 2018
Gobert was fined $15,000 for his comments about the officials in the Jazz loss to the Miami Heat on Sunday.
“I just want it to be consistent, at one point,” Gobert told reporters after the game. “Every night is the same s—. Every night has been the same s—. If you call something one way, you have to call it the other way. Once they start doing that, I’m going to have a little more respect. I’m just tired of it. Every game is the same.”
