Devin Booker didn’t mince words while discussing referee James Williams and the Thunder’s Alex Caruso after being issued a technical foul for saving the ball from going out of bounds. The incident occurred in the third quarter of the game after Jaylin Williams bumped Booker as he dribbled the ball in the corner at full speed and lost his balance.
As the ball went out of bounds, Booker, while off balance and falling on some of the Thunder’s staff courtside, threw it back inside, and it hit Williams. Caruso signaled for a tech and the referee obliged. The decision baffled ESPN’s commentators and pretty much everyone online.
Booker was willing to accept a fine for his comments post-game, in which he called official James Williams “terrible” and claimed Caruso influenced the call:
“I heard Caruso tell them to call the tech and he ended up doing it. In my 11 years, I haven’t called a ref out by name, but James Williams was terrible tonight. It’s bad for the sport. People are going to start viewing this as the WWE if they’re not held responsible.”
He continued:
“I know I haven’t won a championship in this league but I have been in it for 11 years now, so to get to this point to be treated like that, for me to even be saying something out loud, it’s bad. It’s my first time in 11 years but it’s needed. Whatever, I get fined for it, everybody can pull the clips and see where the frustration comes from.”
Suns coach Jordan Ott said he didn’t receive any explanation on the technical foul from James Williams. Devin Booker had a frustrating game, often complaining about calls that went against him and the Suns on both ends. Booker finished with 22 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three fouls. He had 10 attempts at the free-throw line, the highest across both teams.
Devin Booker backed by fans after technical foul controversy
Fans sympathized with Devin Booker after he was issued a technical foul for saving the ball from going out of bounds on Wednesday. Many felt he was wronged by the officials for most of the night, a common complaint among opposing players and fan bases when playing against the OKC Thunder.
After the technical foul controversy and Booker’s comments, fans showed their support for the Suns star:
“Talk your s**t Book. Those refs were atrocious and everyone watching the game knows it. You haven’t won a ring but you won an Olympic gold and a WCF,” one fan said.
“never thought I would find myself agreeing with Devin Booker..but alas, here we are,” another wrote.
“Everyone sees it. The NBA is rigged for the Thunder. It’s clear as day. I don’t know why, but there is something going on,” one fan added.
“It’s been WWE for a few years now. Adam Silver is Vince McMahon,” another said.
“Devin Booker just told the entire sports media and the entire world that the NBA is rigged,” one fan commented.
