Officiating often stirs debate, with coaches and players frequently sharing their views. However, it’s rare to hear referees candidly discuss players.
Recently, former NBA official Bill Spooner offered his perspective on Warriors point guard Chris Paul, who famously feuds with veteran referee Scott Foster.
“I’m going to tell you, and I know you are recording me, but I get asked all the time: ‘Who are some of the tough guys, some of the bad guys?'” Spooner told The Athletic. “And when I tell them that Chris Paul, in my 32 years in the league, was one of the biggest assholes I ever dealt with, they say, ‘Not Rasheed Wallace … or da-da-da?’ Nope. Nothing like (Paul).
“And they are like, ‘Oh, he seems like such a nice guy.’ And I say, ‘Yeah, he’s a great image cultivator.'”
Although Paul has not publicly commented on Spooner, he is known to dislike Foster.
RELATED: NBA Referee Scott Foster Breaks His Silence on Chris Paul Feud For The Very First Time
Spooner explained that “every era has the referee who everybody hates.”
“But guess what? They are the ones working the big games. Earl Strom, Jake (O’Donnell), Joey Crawford … everybody hated those guys,” Spooner said. “Same with Scott. But if it’s a big game, and the league wants somebody to run the game, Scott is going to be on it. Because he is a damn good referee.”
One notable incident between Paul and Foster occurred last November. Late in the second quarter of the Warriors’ 123-115 loss to the Phoenix Suns, Foster ejected Paul after two quick technical fouls.
“It’s personal. The league knows, everybody knows, there’s been a meeting,” Paul said after the game. “… I’m OK with a ref talking, just don’t use a tech to get your point across.”
Interestingly, Paul’s teammate Draymond Green has a different view of Foster.
“One of my favorite officials, which I guess is odd for most people, is Scott Foster,” Green said on The Draymond Green Show earlier this year. “I love Scott, by the way.”
Green appreciates Foster’s clear boundaries.
“Scott, I can say a few things, and he gonna cut it off,” Green explained. “It’s not like I’m judging where the line at. Like, ‘Nope, this is the line, Draymond, and if you cross it, I’m tech-ing you.'”
Choosing sides in this feud seems to depend on perspective.
In 2020, Green admitted he did not like Paul and said they had a poor relationship.
However, when Paul joined the Warriors last year, Green was able to separate the competitor from the person, improving their relationship.
“If you’ve ever watched Chris compete, he’s kind of an a–hole,” Green said. “He may say the same thing about me, and that’s OK. But he’s also one of the most competitive guys that I’ve played against over my 11 years in this league. I’m also an extremely competitive guy, and I’m not backing down from anyone. He’s not backing down from anyone.”
