NBA veteran guard Chris Paul has had a history with game official Scott Foster, and those counting it can add another one. This was after Foster ejected Paul with two quick technical fouls in the Golden State Warriors vs. Phoenix Suns game on Wednesday, November 22.
It was the latest addition to the well-documented Chris Paul vs. Scott Foster feud that goes way back. Ironically, it took place on the night that the 12-time All-Star returned at the Footprint Center.
Paul was banished from the playing court with 23.2 seconds left in the second quarter. It all stemmed from a squabble by the two, resulting in CP3's first technical foul for the game, the Associated Press reported. The Warriors went on to lose to the Suns, 123-115.
But even after his Warriors teammates tried to pacify him, Paul kept barking at Foster. This resulted in his second technical foul, leading to his ejection.
Paul has had several run-ins with Foster throughout his career, regardless of where he played.
Here are some of those moments:
1. First playoff run within New Orleans.
It appears that the Paul vs. Foster beef dates back to Paul's first playoff run in 2008 when he was still playing for the New Orleans Hornets.
It was a banner year for the former Wake Forest Demon Deacon, leading the Hornets to the second round before getting eliminated by the San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 that year, 91-82, per SI.com.
However, the disturbing part of that is the revelation of Foster. Paul shared that Foster told him that he was on the officiating crew of that 2008 run when both crossed paths at the 2020 NBA Playoffs bubble. Paul was with the Oklahoma City Thunder that year, per Marc J. Spears of ESPN.
2. Paul did not win any playoff game with the Rockets when Foster officiated.
In 2018, when he was playing for the Houston Rockets, Foster was singled out as why Houston never won a playoff game.
As far as Paul is concerned, he was 0-6 when Foster called the game. That continued until 2019, when James Harden joined Paul, saying that Foster should be barred from officiating Rockets games.
3. The Unexpected Playoff Run with the OKC Thunder in 2020.
In what was first said to be a temporary stop, Paul played on and even led the Thunder to the NBA playoffs. OKC faced Paul's former team, the Houston Rockets, in a series that went the distance.
Paul pinned the blame on Foster once more after being whistled for delaying the game when he was trying to tie his shoe at the time.
4. Suns' loss to the Lakers in the 2021 Playoffs.
In May 2021, the Suns lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of the first round of the playoffs, 109-95. Paul played sparingly due to a shoulder injury, ESPN reported.
Paul pinned the blame anew on Foster, who officiated the game. He cited the game official's record when calling plays to back his point.
5. Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Finals.
In one of the rare moments that anyone could imagine, Chris Paul tried to charge at Foster during Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Finals. It all stemmed from an out-of-bounds play, which Paul disagreed with.
Bobby Portis of the Milwaukee Bucks, who was part of that sequence, ended up blocking Paul from going at Foster. Odd as it seemed, Portis saved CP3 from potentially getting a technical foul and another fine.
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