Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet praised referee Ben Taylor and his crew for their performance during the Rockets’ victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night. This praise is particularly noteworthy given VanVleet’s history with Taylor, which includes a heated confrontation and a $30,000 fine for his criticism of the referee when VanVleet was still with the Toronto Raptors.
During the post-game press conference, VanVleet commended Taylor and his crew for their “fair and consistent officiating,” a stark contrast to his previous comments.
“I have to give credit where it’s due. The officiating tonight was spot on, and it made a big difference in the game,” VanVleet said. “It’s not easy to admit when you’re wrong, but I think it’s important to acknowledge good work when you see it.”
Fred VanVleet after tonight’s game: “I thought the refs were amazing tonight. I love to give them credit when they’re good. Shoutout to Ben Taylor, man. He reffed an incredible game tonight.” https://t.co/ioDk7QRDci
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) December 2, 2024
This change of heart is especially intriguing considering VanVleet’s past outburst against Taylor in March 2023, when he called the referee “f—ing terrible” and was fined $30,000 by the NBA. VanVleet’s tirade was a result of frustration over several close calls that he felt were unfair, and he even suggested that Taylor had a personal vendetta against him.
The Rockets’ win over the Thunder was a hard-fought battle, with VanVleet playing a crucial role in securing the victory. His acknowledgment of Taylor’s performance adds an interesting layer to the story, showing that even former adversaries can find common ground.
