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It is near impossible to play a game to its conclusion in the NBA without an incident leading to a technical foul. In the 2020-21 season, a total of 205 technical fouls were committed.
While protests are allowed, NBA officials do not condone disrespect or profanity. The inability of players to keep their emotions in check has led to a good number of them getting hit with a T.
A rule change that was effected after the 2000-01 NBA season stipulated that players automatically get a one-game ban if they reach 16 Ts in a single season. Once that mark is reached, every additional two technical fouls also prompt an automatic suspension.
Furthermore, players are fined $2,000 for the first five technical fouls they receive in a season. The fine increases to $3,000 from the sixth to the tenth and is consistent for the next range (11-15). However, the 16th technical foul draws a fine of $5,000 added to the suspension.
On that note, here's a look at the five NBA players who were hit with the most Ts in the 2020-21 NBA season.
#5 Devin Booker - 12 technical fouls
Devin Booker had a huge season, undoubtedly the best of his NBA career so far, in 2020-21. His partnership with Chris Paul yielded rich dividends for the Phoenix Suns, as it led the team to their first NBA Finals in decades.
However, it was not a smooth journey to the Finals, as he got whistled for the most technical fouls of his career. He got called for technicals a career-high 12 times, resulting in a total fine of $47,000.
The NBA is a highly intense game, and Booker was quick to show his emotions on occasion. In a regular-season game against the LA Lakers, he was ejected for getting T'd up twice in the same game. He got payback, so to speak, as he played a significant role in ending the Lakers' 2021 NBA playoffs journey in Round 1.
#4 Draymond Green - 13 technical fouls
Draymond Green has a hard time holding in his frustrations on the court, which has landed him in a lot of trouble in the past. In the 2020-21 NBA season, he accumulated 13 technical fouls that cost him $35,000.
Referees have had to deal with Green's yelling on several occasions, to the point he was accidentally given a technical foul, as he went off on a teammate for a poor play. Nevertheless, he is an invaluable member of the Golden State Warriors' roster for his defensive prowess.
#3 Russell Westbrook - 14 technical fouls
Of all the active players in the NBA, Russell Westbrook holds the top spot in the all-time technical fouls leaderboard. In the 2020-21 season, he added 14 more technical fouls to his total, and was fined $45,000.
Russ is a very vocal player, and has gotten into several heated conversations with players and referees alike. In the 2019-20 NBA season, he hit the 16-technical-fouls milestone. However, he had a bit more control in the 2020-21 campaign.
Brody is happy to be the villain, as he acknowledged that he was always the bad guy with the Houston Rockets. With so much on the line, he will likely be more expressive and get into more trouble with the LA Lakers.
#2 Luka Doncic - 16 technical fouls
Luka Doncic has only played three seasons in the NBA, but has found his way to the top of the list. As an elite playmaker who aggressively drives to the rim, it is understandable to see him argue no calls when he strongly believes he was fouled.
Doncic was close to receiving a one-game suspension towards the end of the 2020-21 NBA season that the Dallas Mavericks could not afford. To that end, we saw Doncic smile more even when calls did not go his way.
A one-game suspension would have been inevitable if the superstar had accumulated one more technical foul. Although his count stands at 16, one of his technical fouls was rescinded, which became a lifeline for him.
#1 Dwight Howard - 16 technical fouls
Dwight Howard is skilled at fouling intentionally and feigning ignorance. Unfortunately, he gets called out often, as the officials are fully aware of his tactics. While his aggressive play aims at instilling fear in his opponents, he goes overboard at times.
Howard is an elite rim protector, and has won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award on three occasions. However, the referees also know him as a chief complainer. After receiving 16 technical fouls in the 2020-21 season, he received a one-game suspension.
The big man has led the NBA in technical fouls in three other seasons as well. His efforts this year cost him $66,000 in fines. It will be interesting to see who receives more technical fouls for the LA Lakers between him and Russell Westbrook in the upcoming 2021-22 NBA campaign.
Guess the Lakers players!
