In an interview Wednesday on Sirius XM NBA Radio, Commissioner Adam Silver called on Warriors guard Chris Paul and referee Scott Foster to get control of their long-running feud, writes Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area.
The latest incident took place November 22 when Foster ejected Paul in the second quarter of a game at Phoenix. Afterward, Paul told reporters that he and Foster “had a situation some years ago” that he described as “personal.” Paul has repeatedly expressed frustration with Foster over the years, and his teams are just 3-17 in playoff games that Foster has officiated.
“You have there — two veterans who are the best at what they do,” Silver said. “Scott is one of the most respected NBA officials, one of the highest-rated NBA officials, which is why he referees in our Finals games. Of course, Chris’s track record speaks for itself. The way you handle that, at least the way we’ve tried to handle that, is talk to both of them and say, ‘The expectation is that you’re going to be professional.’ And deal privately with the two of them and say guys, ‘Whatever the bad blood is between you two, you don’t have to be friends, but you’ve got to both go out and do your jobs.’ So that’s my expectation moving forward.”
There’s more on the Warriors:
- Jonathan Kuminga made a strong bid for more minutes on a night when he wasn’t expected to play at all, per Anthony Slater of The Athletic. Kuminga was bumped from the rotation with Paul and Andrew Wiggins returning from injuries, but he entered Wednesday’s game against Portland with 17 minutes remaining and never came off the floor. Kuminga rejected the idea that he only excels against young, athletic opponents. “I can play against any team,” he said. “It don’t matter. I enjoy playing against anybody.”
- Injuries and the suspension to Draymond Green have forced coach Steve Kerr to juggle his lineups at the beginning and end of games, and he indicated that process will continue, per Kendra Andrews of ESPN. “Every night is going to be different with this team, that’s what I am figuring out,” Kerr said. “What we need each night seems to be different depending on the matchup, depending on how the game is going. It’s hard to predict what is going to happen each night, it’s also hard to play 10 to 11 guys. … We don’t have roster clarity in terms of who’s going to play every single night.”
- Rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis may get a chance to show that he can be the rim protector the Warriors need, Poole adds in a separate story. Jackson-Davis is averaging just 7.8 minutes in 13 games, but Kerr suggested this week that he might get an increased opportunity. “We’re trying to get certain lineups going, trying to get certain guys going,” Kerr said. “… Trayce is in our back pocket. We like him. He may get that chance at some point.”
- Kevon Looney‘s dependability has put him on a significant list in franchise history, per Ron Kroichick of The San Francisco Chronicle. Wednesday’s game was the 214th consecutive for Looney, which ties him for 10th place with Klay Thompson. “That’s the one name I really care about,” Looney said. “I want to say I beat him at something.”
Silver has no backbone to end the feud now. From what has been told its due to Foster cursing out CP3 kid when he was with the clippers. CP3 didn’t take kindly to Foster berating a young child with a bunch of curse words.
Then Chris Paul needs to get over it and not hold a grudge. Things happen and then we let them go. If you hold on to it you’re the one with the problem.
You obviously dont care much for your kids then, if you have any, i dont care if its the president of the united states if you talk smack to my kid and curse him out youre getting your a** beat
You don’t think this stuff happens when you’re not around. You don’t think your kids get yelled at.
Anyway, My thinking and it’s obviously not popular, is that if I’m offended, I need to be the forgiving party.
It’s all on me, I cannot change anyone.
They’re going to continue to be who they are. I can’t affect that but I can affect me and I can teach my kids to forgive and forget.
Why is that missing upon all you who disagree with me here?
I love my kids but I’m going to teach them how to conduct themselves and it’s not holding a grudge for 5 years.
You all are waiting for some kind of apology that’s never going to come. The only person you have control over is the one in the mirror and your family.
Wow Durt, just have MMA out in the parking lot I guess. That’ll teach your kids the proper way of handling things.
My goodness what happened to turning the other cheek. We are so far removed from that and I shouldn’t be surprised because I see it in every other category of life. God help us.
Shouldn’t Foster get over it? Of course any man would get angry if somebody cursed out their kid.
Oh yes definitely Arc, Foster’s the biggest offender in this whole thing. How can you allow a ref to control a game like that and toss out an important player on a whim because he doesn’t like the guy.
That is so unprofessional it’s not even funny. He should be reprimanded and maybe even fired for showing such unprofessionalism on the court.
But Chris Paul is NOT going to change Scott foster. Scott Foster has to change Scott foster.
And you all are saying that Chris Paul should continue holding a grudge and be angry at the man? Well it sure has worked out the last 5 years hasn’t it. My goodness people how we have lost our way.
If Chris Paul ever puts his team before his kid, THAT’S when he’ll need a good talking to…
Why, does Scott Foster credibly threaten his kid every game? By getting kicked out of a game, is Chris Paul protecting his kid from Scott Foster’s mean words?
Machismo aside, one of these men is supposed to be an impartial judge and has control over the other one. Scott Foster is the problem.
Why the respected referee cursed the kid? smh…
Something about CP3 kids were playing in the parking lot where players and Refs park.
Ref’s don’t get ejected from games. Foster has no incentive to back down.
Worst commissioner in all of sports says Foster is well respected? Not a single NBA ref is well respected. They are all jokes who manipulate games. Don’t know a single person who respects NBA refs.
I’m sorry, have you not heard of Rob Manfred?
I’m in agreement with you there. After hearing Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner speak it’s obvious the game is fixed. Now watching it with this knowledge it is so obvious.
For instance, That mid season Tournament game between Milwaukee and Miami was one of the worst I’ve ever watched. They practically did their best to hand the game to Milwaukee with all the favored whistles.
It is so obvious. Fire silver
Kuming and Moody must play no matter what. If not, Warriors have no chance this yr and in the future.
This will be unpopular but trade C Paul to Detroit for Bojan,…… Wiseman and a 2nd. Waive Jerome Robinson and Guruba off two ways and sign a young PG in Jazian Gortmen or Yuri Collins. Get Payton to play PG more. Wiggins is shooting really bad percentages and Bojan off the bench is instant firepower. Or to Utah for Kelly O, Sexton or Clarkson and Dunn and a 2nd. They need a change quick
Ask for Yurt instead of Dunn
Scott foster should be in jail next to Dounghy. Certainly should never referee a game
He can share a cell with Draymond
Silver too for that matter
Warriors soap opéra …
Seems like things are slipping away. As a fan I hate to admit it but they barely beat Portland last night. And the Blazers didn’t have all their guys.
Still hoping things get back on track and turned around. Klay can’t go three for 16 anymore. I think he has to be shut down with a hamstring or something and get him straightened out.