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NBA: James Harden wants referee taken off Rockets games
Houston Rockets All-Star James Harden said after Thursday night’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers that he would rather not see referee Scott Foster officiating their games anymore
Houston Rockets All-Star James Harden said after Thursday night’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers that he would rather not see referee Scott Foster officiating their games anymore.
“Scott Foster, man. I never really talk about officiating or anything like that, but just rude and arrogant,” said Harden, who scored 30 points before fouling out, per ESPN. “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.”
Four offensive fouls were called on Harden.
Rockets point guard Chris Paul also fouled out against the Lakers and was whistled for a technical foul by Foster.
Last season, it was Paul who was critical of Foster. A 25-year NBA veteran, he was voted the league’s worst referee in a 2016 Los Angeles Times poll of coaches and players.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, Foster called 18 personal and technical fouls on Thursday, with 12 of them against the Rockets. Seven of those against Houston were in the fourth quarter.
“It’s lingering, and it’s something that has to be looked at for sure,” Harden, the NBA’s scoring leader, said. “For sure, it’s personal. For sure. I don’t think he should be able to even officiate our games anymore, honestly.”
The Rockets were leading by 19 points in the second half against the Lakers. In the final 20 minutes of the game, the Lakers attempted 17 free throws, the Rockets none.
