Chris Paul Fined for Criticizing Female Ref

LA Clippers guard Chris Paul has been fined $25,000 for the comments he made in regards to first-year female referee, Lauren Holtkamp.

During the third quarter of the Clippers game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, Paul received a technical foul when he tried to question Holtkamp's call.

"Some of [the technical fouls] were ridiculous," Paul said. "The tech that I get right there was ridiculous. I don't care what nobody says, I don't care what she says; that's terrible. There's no way that can be a tech. We try to get the ball out fast every time down the court, and when we did that, she said, 'Uh-uh.' I said, 'Why, uh-uh?' And she gave me a tech. That's ridiculous. If that's the case, this might not be for her."

Although Paul stated that his comments were in reference to the fact that she is a new and less-experienced referee, many viewed them as sexist. The National Basketball Referees Association tweeted on Friday, "After review, the calls made by Ms. Holtkamp are fully justified. We deplore the unprofessional comments made by Chris Paul. #shebelongs."

The NBA players union, however, stood by Paul's side and defended his comments. Paul is the president of the union.

"Any suggestion that Chris Paul would ever conduct himself in a disrespectful manner towards women is utterly ridiculous, outrageous and patently false," National Basketball Players Association executive director Michele Roberts said in a statement Friday. "His personal management team, which includes several accomplished women who play a major role in virtually all of his business affairs is, alone, evidence of that fact."

Former WNBA player, Becky Hammon weighed in on the debate about Paul's comments. She tweeted, "Chris Paul @CP3 is a competitor & he had an opinion, I don't think it has anything to do with the refs gender."

Holtkamp did not comment on Paul's statements.