Toronto Raptorspoint guardFred VanVleetwas fined $30,000 for public criticism of officiating, the league announced Thursday. Heres what you need to know:

VanVleet made his comments about officiating to the media following the Raptors 108-100 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.

VanVleet called out referee Ben Taylor during Wednesdays news conference: I thought Ben Taylor was f terrible tonight.

VanVleet is averaging 19.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game this season and is shooting 39.1 percent from the field.

VanVleet said that the referees were not the reason the Raptors lost against theClippers. But he spoke on officiating as a whole this season and his belief that some officials are stepping beyond their job descriptions.

Theres a fine line, obviously, I understand that, VanVleet said Wednesday. But I think the jurisdiction and the power trip that weve been on this year with some of our officials in this league is getting out of hand. And Ill take my fine for speaking on it, but this is f- ridiculous.

Theres been certain times this year where I feel our team is getting consumed with the way the whistle is going, especially after the night we just had in Denver, the way that finished, VanVleet said. So there was a couple calls earlier that we all disagreed with. And if I say to my team, Come on, guys, lets keep playing through the bulls, and that warrants a tech? I think thats a little bit crazy.

The Raptors are 32-35, sitting ninth in the Eastern Conference.

There is no precedent for players getting suspended for criticizing officials. The league could have fined VanVleet up to $50,000 without incurring the risk of VanVleet filing a grievance through the NBPA. Given the specificity of VanVleets comments regarding Taylor, the profanity he used and the general point he made about there being a referee or two on most crews that just f the game up, its a bit surprising the league didnt punish him further. Then again, VanVleet doesnt have a reputation for acting out or saying things unnecessarily. Koreen

During practice at UCLAs campus Thursday, VanVleet expanded on his thoughts, while saying his comments didnt meet his standards for professionalism.

I think theres healthier ways to do it than what transpired last night, VanVleet said. I take full accountability for my actions and what I said and what I did. I think its a learning lesson for everybody.

VanVleet would like there to be more room for players to express their emotions and converse with officials, noting that the black-and-white rules about respect of the game definitionally limit the leeway both players and referees have. Koreen

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