After fouling out in a 111-106 loss to the Lakers, James Harden declared that referee Scott Foster “for sure” has a “personal” issue with the Houston Rockets and should not be allowed to officiate any more of their games.
James Harden had enough of NBA referee Scott Foster who had 134 calls to his phone from another ref (Donaghy) that was fixing games… yeah nothing to see here #NBA #WWE always corrupt since Ewing envelope was frozen days
#Rockets #Lakers #Refs pic.twitter.com/rWo6jtLMlX
— IB ? (@incarceratedbob) February 22, 2019
“Scott Foster, man. I never really talk about officiating or anything like that, but just rude and arrogant,” said Harden, who finished with 30 points to extend his streak of 30-point performances to 32 games, the second longest in NBA history. “I mean, you aren’t able to talk to him throughout the course of the game, and it’s like, how do you build that relationship with officials? And it’s not even that call [on the sixth foul]. It’s just who he is on that floor.
“It’s pretty frustrating. And I’m probably going to get hit [with a fine], but honestly, I don’t really say anything. I’m a pretty quiet guy, to myself, but it’s one of those things where you can’t voice your opinion. You can’t have a conversation with someone that’s officiating the game. You’re getting a tech. It’s pretty sad.”
James Harden says Scott Foster is rude and arrogant. Says he shouldn’t be allowed to referee their games anymore, believing it’s a personal thing now.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIkoNBA) February 22, 2019
This marks the second consecutive season that a Rockets star has publicly called out Foster, a 25-year NBA veteran who was voted as the league’s worst referee in a 2016 poll of players and coaches conducted by the Los Angeles Times.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, Foster issued 18 fouls (personal or technical) in Thursday’s game — 12 against the Rockets and six against the Lakers. Seven of the fouls against the Rockets occurred in the fourth quarter.
Harden, who committed half of his eight turnovers on offensive fouls, said he was bothered more by Foster’s attitude than by any particular call.
“I don’t really talk about officials or anything, but I think him in particular, he’s different,” said Harden, who was 11-of-24 from the field and scored only four points on 2-of-7 shooting in the fourth quarter.
Foster was the crew chief the last time that Harden fouled out, in a Dec. 22, 2017, loss to the LA Clippers.
“It’s lingering, and it’s something that has to be looked at for sure,” Harden said. “For sure, it’s personal. For sure. I don’t think he should be able to even officiate our games anymore, honestly.”
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