LA Clippers’ Chris Paul Criticizes Female Ref
The Los Angeles Clippers received five technical fouls during Thursday night's 104-94 loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Clippers guard Chris Paul was not too happy about the calls.
After the game, Paul told reporters that female referee, Lauren Holtkamp, might not be right for the job.
"The tech I got was ridiculous," Paul said. "That's terrible. There's no way that can be a technical. We try to get the ball out fast every time down the court. When we did that, she said, 'Uh-uh.' I said, 'Why uh-uh?' and she gave me a technical. That's ridiculous. If that's the case, this might not be for her."
Paul got his technical foul with 10:17 left in the third quarter. Holtkamp had stepped in when the Clippers were trying to inbound the ball after a free throw by the Cavaliers. When Paul questioned her, he was given a technical. A minute later, Clippers' DeAndre Jordan got a technical for reportedly saying a profane world. Jordan believes that his technical will be rescinded.
"I guess she thought I was talking to her," Jordan said. "She made a call. The other refs, I talked to them and they disagreed with it, so hopefully it'll be rescinded."
Clippers forward Matt Barnes was ejected in the third after getting his second technical by referee Eric Lewis. Barnes' 11 technicals tied the league's highest.
"It keeps happening," Barnes said. "Some of these I earn, some of them I don't."
The Clippers ended up getting four technical fouls in that quarter, three within a 52-second span.
Clippers coach Doc Rivers also received a technical during the night.
Paul's remarks were highly criticized on social media for being sexist. He could face a fine from the NBA, which does not tolerate players or coaches who criticize the game referees. Holtkamp is one of two active female referees in the league.
Paul went 4-for-14 with 10 points.
The loss was the Clippers' third in four games. They will take on the Toronto Raptors on Friday.
