It’s kind of been a rough season for the Toronto Raptors. At 32-34, Toronto is on the outside looking in on the Eastern Conference Playoff standings. And after a hard-fought lost battle against the Denver Nuggets Monday night, a strange year just got even more frustrating for Scottie Barnes.
As the final seconds wound down in a 114-113 game, a foul was called on the Raptors. Barnes understandably took exception to this call, but not loudly. Enter infamous official Scott Foster. A man, who, in some NBA circles, needs no introduction.
Foster would eject Barnes for his whispering commentary, giving the confused Raptors’ forward the first ejection of his career. Toronto would lose 118-113.
Scottie Barnes was ejected for the first time in his career on this play in the final seconds of the game. pic.twitter.com/ebyhWL9Twt
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 7, 2023
But wait, did what Barnes said really warrant an ejection?
Because even one of the other officials was perplexed by Foster’s decision:
LOOK AT THE OTHER REF'S REACTION WHEN SCOTT FOSTER EJECTS SCOTTIE BARNES pic.twitter.com/78zZORaUGB
— Fastbreak Breakfast (@fastbreakbreak) March 7, 2023
In the post-game, the 2022 Rookie of the Year would explain he was simply quietly talking to himself. Foster apparently heard Barnes’ criticisms under his breath and was still having none of his “questioning of integrity.”
And I mean, c’mon:
Ok we have all the evidence to determine what happened:
1) Scottie Barnes says during postgame presser he was “just talking to myself”
2) Scottie Barnes following whistle says “yall are cheating bro”
3) Scott Foster says Scottie “questioned integrity of the crew” in Pool Report pic.twitter.com/gTMou8G0bK— Sherwob Holmes (@WorldWideWob) March 7, 2023
It’s one thing to rip the officiating crew to their face directly. Of course, they’ll take exception to such critique. It’s another if, as Barnes professes, to eject players for just talking to themselves under their breath.
The Raptors already had to endure a stinging defeat to the Western Conference-leading Nuggets. Barnes’ controversial ejection for apparently talking to himself is salt in the wound.
