Marcus Smart Sounds Off on Officiating Frustrations: “All We Want Is Consistency”
Marcus Smart has never been one to bite his tongue, and over the past two games, the Lakers guard has made it clear he’s fed up with what he sees as inconsistent officiating across the NBA. After picking up technical fouls in back-to-back contests - including one that cost him a $35,000 fine for an obscene gesture toward a referee during a win over the Utah Jazz - Smart let his frustrations boil over again following the Lakers’ loss to the Clippers on Saturday night.
Speaking postgame, Smart didn’t mince words. His message? It’s not about perfection - it’s about consistency.
“We understand that not the officials, not us, are perfect,” Smart said. “We don’t expect them to be. We just expect consistency, and that’s it.”
That’s the heart of the issue for Smart - and, frankly, for a lot of players around the league. NBA officiating has always been a lightning rod for criticism, but what’s bothering Smart isn’t missed calls in isolation.
It’s when the same play gets called differently on opposite ends of the floor, with referees in the same position making opposite decisions. That kind of inconsistency, Smart says, is what wears players down.
“You’re telling us you don’t see this one on this end, but the exact same play, you’re in the exact same spot, you see it on that end,” he explained. “All we want is consistency.”
Smart’s frustration isn’t just about the whistles - it’s also about the silence. According to him, even trying to engage referees in a respectful dialogue during games feels like a dead end.
“You can’t talk to them,” Smart said bluntly. “Even in the Utah game, I went up at the beginning to be a captain. The captains should be able to go talk to them, but they still don’t want to hear it.”
That lack of communication has clearly struck a nerve. For a player like Smart - someone who plays with emotion and intensity, someone who’s earned a reputation as a vocal leader on and off the court - being waved off by officials when trying to have a conversation is more than just frustrating. It feels personal.
“It definitely is frustrating when you pour your heart out to this game and the feedback is literally waiving you off, telling you to get out of their face and then give you a tech because you’re asking questions.”
That’s where the fine comes in. Smart didn’t shy away from the fact that his gesture toward the official in the Utah game crossed a line, but he also made it clear: it was intentional. A calculated move to send a message.
“Sometimes you gotta take the hit to get your point across,” he said. “They’re gonna fine you regardless… so it’s like, why even talk to you guys?”
This isn’t new territory for Smart, who’s built his career on playing with an edge - sometimes right up to the line, sometimes over it. But it’s not just about him. There’s a growing sense around the league that the disconnect between players and officials is widening, and Smart’s comments echo a broader sentiment among players who feel their voices aren’t being heard.
And he’s not alone.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick also voiced his frustrations after the loss to the Clippers, backing up Smart’s concerns and adding his own critique of the officiating. While Redick’s comments weren’t quoted directly, his support underscores the fact that this isn’t just an isolated incident - it’s a league-wide conversation.
For now, Smart will likely continue to walk that fine line between passion and punishment. But his message is clear: players aren’t asking for perfection.
They’re asking for consistency. And until they get it, the tension between players and officials isn’t going anywhere.