"Ratings going down even more " - NBA Fans outraged over Anthony Edwards' $75,000 fine amid league's rating slump

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards was fined $75,000 on Monday by the NBA for his public criticism of the officiating. The All-Star guard aired out his frustration on Saturday in front of reporters following a 113-103 loss to the Golden State Warriors.

Joe Dumars, the NBA's executive vice president and head of basketball operations and a Hall of Fame guard for the Detroit Pistons, made the announcement. The fine also includes Edwards' use of inappropriate and profane language.

Following the report, fans talked about how the fine would affect the league's declining ratings.

"Ratings going down even more 📉," a fan said.

"And you wonder why your ratings are down," another fan said.

"Leagues in a bad state right now can’t even lie," one fan said.

Other fans criticized the league for not punishing referees for mistakes.

"It amazes me that the officials are never fined or discipline when they screw up," one fan said.

"The fact that players get fined for expressing their opinion is outrageous," another fan had the players' backs.

"Soft a**eleague f**k outta here let the players speak or fix your s****y refs," one fan commented.

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What did Anthony Edwards say about the officiating?

Anthony Edwards was upset in the locker room after the loss to the Warriors. He didn't hold back as he talked about the inconsistencies with the calls made by the referees during the game.

"They're f**king terrible," Edwards said. "All of them, besides the woman, but the other two dudes, terrible. Excuses as reasons they don't call a foul, the reason they don't call a foul. The sh*t was terrible. They don't wanna talk back to my coach, talk back to me. I said one thing to the ref, and he gave me a tech.

"Motherf**ker told one of my teammates that if I would have said, 'Y'all calling a bad foul,' he wouldn't have given me a tech. N**gas, they just sensitive, and they're terrible. They penalize me and Ju (Randle) for being stronger than our opponent every night. We don't get no calls. So, yeah, that's how I feel about the officials every game that we play."

Although the Wolves had 25 free-throw attempts, which is close to the Warriors' 23, Edwards felt they didn't have a fair shot in getting fouls. Even during the fourth quarter, the attempts both teams had were close. Minnesota had 11 and Golden State had 10.