Complaining has become a part of the NBA game, as most stars around the league try to maximize the foul calls they get. Even though it’s become commonplace in the NBA, specific players go above and beyond in how often they complain to referees about missed calls.
Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox was asked about the biggest complainers in the NBA and quickly coughed up the names of Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green.
“Luka’s up there. Like Draymond will clothesline you and look at the ref like, ‘What I do?’ I think a lot of guys definitely have it. Sometimes it’s warranted… Reffing is God awful at times, I never want to be like they shouldn’t get it because a lot of times, they should.”
Fox went on to describe one incident of Luka’s complaining habits on a play where the Mavs guard fouled Fox and got angry at the referees for calling it.
“I was like, ‘Bro? You clearly fouled me.’ That’s why Malik (Monk) is sitting there and laughing too. It was like, ‘bro, you smacked my whole arm. What are you complaining about?'”
Complaining in the #NBA is warranted in some instances… 👀
but not after a clothesline from Draymond Green or this foul by Luka Doncic on De’Aaron Fox 😂 pic.twitter.com/OPj6UWultV
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) December 3, 2024
Fox didn’t say anything rudely or drag Doncic or Green down, but it seems he just genuinely shared his opinion. Luka doesn’t have any ground to contest such a sentiment, with most fans around the league also believing Doncic complains to referees a lot. It’s a bad habit that’s even been called out by Mavericks coaches and is something he’s actively tried to correct this season.
That must be hard, as Doncic was in the middle of a slump before a week-long injury break, averaging 28.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 8.0 assists on 6.4 free throw attempts a game, much lower than the frequency he got to the line last year with.
While that’s also a result of Luka’s lower usage and more perimeter-oriented play style, Luka hasn’t been able to get whistles like he has in the last two seasons.
Green hasn’t had any controversial moments with officials so far this season but was suspended twice last season for poor conduct on the court. The fact that Fox named Green and Luka for this list when they’ve been two of the players with the most technical fouls called against them in the last two seasons is also ironic.
Fox is averaging 27.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.9 assists this season, going to the line for 6.8 free throw attempts per game. He might benefit from complaining and putting pressure on the referees himself given his slashing style of play and aggressive finishes at the rim. Whining to the referees might not get you more fans, but it likely will get you easier scoring opportunities at the free-throw line.
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