Adam Silver emphasizes the need for professionalism from Chris Paul and referee Scott Foster
“We have two seasoned professionals in their roles. Scott is one of the NBA’s most respected and highly-rated officials, as evidenced by his presence in our Finals games. Chris, with his remarkable track record, speaks for himself. Our approach has been to address them privately, stressing the expectation for professionalism. They don’t need to be friends, but they do need to fulfill their responsibilities,” Silver stated.
Paul, expressing surprise at no league contact since November’s ejection, remarked, “Usually, they’d call, interview, something like that. No texts or calls since.” He learned about Silver’s comments through a family text, noting his lack of direct communication with league officials, except for reaching out to Byron Spruell.
When asked if he anticipates any changes, Paul replied, “I don’t know. Nothing has changed regarding that.”
Paul has a history with Foster, notably ending a 13-game playoff losing streak with a win under Foster’s officiation last season. He mentioned a past meeting involving his father, Doc Rivers, and Bob Delaney during his Clippers tenure, referring to a situation involving his son.
While reconciliation might not occur as it did for other players and refs, Silver hopes their history won’t overshadow the game. The expectation is simple: maintain professionalism and keep the focus on basketball.
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