Chris Paul’s surprise ejection from the Warriors’ game on Wednesday against the Phoenix Suns sent the NBA world into a frenzy.
This incident adds to the long-standing dispute between the Warriors goalkeeper and Scott Foster, an NBA official, and Paul described it as “personal” after Golden State’s 123-115 loss to his former team.
The next morning, Stephen A. agreed. Smith agreed that the matter seemed personal between the two, and pointed out Foster’s lack of professionalism when it came to Paul.
“Obviously it’s personal with Chris Paul. There’s no denying that,” Smith said Thursday on ESPN’s “First Take.” “And I saw it there last night. … There’s no getting around the fact that Chris Paul makes very valid points about the personal animosity that exists. …
“The problem with Scott Foster in my opinion is that Scott Foster tries to give the impression of genuine professionalism when it comes to Chris Paul. That’s not the case when it comes to Chris Paul. He’s not authentically professional when it comes to Chris.” “Paul. It’s personal. It’s not objective, it can get personal. Chris Paul obviously gets on his nerves, and he’s shown that from time to time.
“And that’s why Chris Paul needed to point out what he pointed out last night. And the NBA needs to do something about it. Scott Foster, no disrespect, I understand Chris Paul is no Steph Curry or LeBron James, but I’m going to say fuck it If we didn’t come to see him any more than we came to see Scott Foster. These officials who are ejecting players with no regard for the paying customer who came there to watch a fucking basketball game need to be checked. Scott Foster does it. We don’t have to be on the same court that moves It has Chris Paul forward.”
Both Smith and ESPN’s Brian Windhorst agreed that it would be best if the league could somehow find a way to prevent Foster from officiating games in which Paul plays.
As the dispute between the two continued, the receipts were withdrawn. In Ball’s 20 playoff games that Foster officiated, the potential Hall of Fame guard went 3-17. In 15 of those games, Paul’s team was the favorite.
Smith believes this is not just an accident, and that it is a “too blatant” coincidence to ignore.
“Now let’s understand who we’re talking about when we talk about Chris Paul,” Smith said. “We’re talking about one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of basketball. You can slice him any way you want — he’s not a champion, we’ve got all of that. He’s unbelievably great. A basketball expert. That’s the problem.” The basket is such that he can highlight it better than most mistakes made by officials. That’s why, if you’re in charge, you can have a player who whines and whines and complains – that’s not Chris Paul.”
“If you’ve ever talked to Chris Paul, and obviously I have, Chris Paul is going to question you. He’s not just making statements. He’s coming to you with questions. He’s literally questioning you. So, if you’re in charge and if there’s anything wrong with your game Somehow, he’ll expose you and he’ll spend the game attacking you because he wants you to do things right. So, in that respect, it can be very frustrating for someone like Scott Foster, who’s been around for a long time, who’s widely and universally respected. In terms of his abilities.”
While Smith and Windhorst realize that Paul may have been constantly talking down Foster and questioning his decisions, they agree that it is not Paul’s job to maintain his composure—it is Foster’s job. They also believe Foster may have let his ego get in the way.
Ball, who was ejected for just the seventh time in his 19-year NBA career, admitted he will likely see Foster soon, but admitted he has to do what’s best for his team and do whatever it takes to stay on the court, no matter what. Circumstances.
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