"Le pregunté a un árbitro si podía darme una falta técnica por pensar cosas malas sobre él. Dijo, por supuesto que no. Dije, bueno, creo que apestas. Y me dio una técnica. No puedes confiar en ellos."

Simplified Meaning:

The quote describes a conversation between a basketball player and a referee. The player humorously asks the referee if thinking bad thoughts about him could result in a penalty. The referee says no, but when the player then openly insults the referee by saying he stinks, he gets a penalty. This highlights how actions and spoken words can have consequences, while thoughts alone are private and don’t lead to punishment. The story suggests it's important to be mindful of what we say out loud, as speaking harshly or rashly can get us into trouble. For example, in a workplace, even if you think your boss is making a mistake, directly saying something rude could have negative consequences, like getting you reprimanded or fired. Instead, if you disagree or have concerns, it's better to express them respectfully. The quote also touches on the idea that people in authority, like referees or bosses, have the power to enforce rules, and it’s wise to communicate with them carefully.