"Start fining the referees first" - Former Warriors guard slams NBA referees over fines for players' reactions to controversial calls

The NBA has always sanctioned players when they criticize the officiating or if they get too aggressive with the referees. A recent example is when Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet was fined $50,000 for jawing at a ref in their game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday.

VanVleet's actions and the NBA's decision to fine him have been a divisive topic. One person who disagrees with the league's decision is former Golden State Warriors guard Gilbert Arenas. He discussed the events that led to VanVleet's penalty during an episode of Gil's Arena that was live-streamed on Wednesday.

During their discussion, Arenas learned that the league admitted to being wrong about some of the calls which caused VanVleet to react.

"You're penalizing the reaction," Arenas said. "That's the problem with society itself, you're penalizing a reaction. There wouldn't be a reaction of you started penalizing the action first. If you start fining the referees first for the f*** up, you wouldn't have this."

Courtney Kirkland, the crew chief of the Houston Rockets vs Portland Trail Blazers game, explained the incorrect call. Kirkland told Jonathan Feigen of the "Houston Chronicle" that initially, the officials perceived that Toumani Camara didn't foul Fred VanVleet. The latter was trying to get into position for a three-pointer in the final 10 seconds of the game.

Kirkland admitted that there should have been a foul called on Camara. The official added that it would not have resulted in free throws as the contact happened before VanVleet attempted his shot. The NBA's Last Two Minute Report (L2M) for that game also said that this particular play was an incorrect no-call.

Just a few seconds after that play, an offensive foul was called on VanVleet. After this foul was called, the Rockets guard became livid with the officials which led to a technical foul and an ejection.

---

Gilbert Arenas gives props to LaMelo Ball and says he's making a case as the best point guard in the NBA

The Gil's Arena crew didn't just discuss Fred VanVleet being fined $50,000 but also another of the NBA's top point guards, LaMelo Ball. Gilbert Arenas and his co-hosts brought up Ball's 50-point game in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.

While discussing Ball's career performance, Arenas was asked if Ball was the best point guard in the NBA right now. The former Warriors guard said that Ball is one of the players who are making a case before proceeding to compliment his game.

"He's making a case," Arenas said about Ball. "Just like everybody they're all making a case. His ability is what you look for in a point guard. The fact that he can put up really big numbers but he's really a pass first guard.

So, if you put better players around him, he's gonna make plays for them, if his team is weak, he'll score. He's one of those hybrids that can go back and forth, he's not just strictly a scorer. He has a passing mind." ( (2:03:15-2:04:04)

So far this season, LaMelo Ball is averaging 31.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 1.1 steals per game in 18 contests. The Charlotte Hornets are 6-12 during this stretch.