Even outside the basketball court, LaVar Ball is getting called for technical fouls. At least that's what it looked after the NBA Referees Association, through Twitter, unloaded a series of tweets, each expressing their displeasure on how Ball played a part in replacing a female referee in the middle of an AAU game, which involved Ball's team, last Friday.
2/ First, the misogynistic comments and intimidation by the coach have no place in basketball – or anywhere.
— NBA Referees (@OfficialNBARefs) July 30, 2017
It could be remembered that Ball was called for a technical foul in the said game but instead of falling silent to avoid further penalties, Ball threatened to take his entire team out of the contest if his demand of finding another referee to take over the one held by the female official was not met. He even went beyond the line of decorum when he reacted with a sexist remark following the incidence as reported by Scott Gleeson of USA Today.
“She’s a woman who’s trying to act — I get that she’s trying to break into the referee thing. But just giving techs and calling fouls, that’s no way to do it. I know what she trying to say: ‘I gave LaVar, I gave him a tech, I’m strong.’ That ain't got nothing to do with it. Just call the game.”
The NBA Referees Association also pointed out to Adidas' leniency in allowing Ball's behavior to influence the contest.
3/ The actions by Adidas show what happens when an organization does not support those tasked with protecting the integrity of the game.
— NBA Referees (@OfficialNBARefs) July 30, 2017
It's bad enough for Ball to castigate someone who's merely doing her job, but he managed to take it into a higher level of ugly with how unapologetic he appears to be in light of the uproar his actions have triggered. All told, this doesn't help Ball's public image in any way.
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