Re: Paul George Fined $35,000 For Public Criticism Of Referees

[RealGM Wiretap]

Paul George has been fined $35,000 for public criticism of the officiating.

George made his comments to the media following the Clippers’ 110-103 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Feb. 11 at Wells Fargo Center. The amount of George’s fine also reflects his multiple prior violations of the rule prohibiting public criticism of the officiating.

Via RealGM Staff Report

[Pickled Prunes]

Before anyone calls out the league comparing this to the fine Lillard didn't receive last week... the two cases are completely different.

Lillard has no history of this kind of reaction and had a specific complaint about an obvious no-call in the final seconds of a game with playoff implications. He didn't imply cheating or conspiracy... he implied incompetence and he was on the money.

PG does have a history of this kind of reaction and he had no specific complaint. It was an abstract argument about 19 fouls vs. 11 fouls. The implication was that the refs were dirty. That will never be tolerated by the league. And honestly, sometimes one team fouls more than the other. There is no reason that those numbers should be even. It's a ridiculous point.

[nitocobola]

what a clown

[YelloC]

Ballmer is just going to pay the fine for him as it was probably part of the deferred payment deal that was likely agreed to between Ballmer, Kawhi, Uncle Dennis and PG.

[Jedzz]

Good for him, way to go. They should all complain publicly until the refs are improved on, and the rules are completely opened up to allow reviews at any time in a game. There is already limits to how many coaches reviews can be asked for. So also having moments in time or types of calls that can't be reviewed only has a couple possible explanations. They probably need a 4th or 5th ref or a committee to stand by and watch the reviews as well. Since weekly now that blow calls even after reviewing it.

[haste10176]

Before anyone calls out the league comparing this to the fine Lillard didn't receive last week... the two cases are completely different.

Lillard has no history of this kind of reaction and had a specific complaint about an obvious no-call in the final seconds of a game with playoff implications. He didn't imply cheating or conspiracy... he implied incompetence and he was on the money.

PG does have a history of this kind of reaction and he had no specific complaint. It was an abstract argument about 19 fouls vs. 11 fouls. The implication was that the refs were dirty. That will never be tolerated by the league. And honestly, sometimes one team fouls more than the other. There is no reason that those numbers should be even. It's a ridiculous point.

Your right and Paul George clearly has no case it was a really good physical game but the main thing was 76ers bigs getting down the middle and the smaller clippers with no real rim protection fouling more often.. This is pretty obvious if you watch the game.. PG just having a whinge after he keeps coming up small..

[WaltFrazier]

Before anyone calls out the league comparing this to the fine Lillard didn't receive last week... the two cases are completely different.

Lillard has no history of this kind of reaction and had a specific complaint about an obvious no-call in the final seconds of a game with playoff implications. He didn't imply cheating or conspiracy... he implied incompetence and he was on the money.

PG does have a history of this kind of reaction and he had no specific complaint. It was an abstract argument about 19 fouls vs. 11 fouls. The implication was that the refs were dirty. That will never be tolerated by the league. And honestly, sometimes one team fouls more than the other. There is no reason that those numbers should be even. It's a ridiculous point.

Your right and Paul George clearly has no case it was a really good physical game but the main thing was 76ers bigs getting down the middle and the smaller clippers with no real rim protection fouling more often.. This is pretty obvious if you watch the game.. PG just having a whinge after he keeps coming up small..

Sure the 2 cases were different, and the refs were clearly wrong in the Portland game. But still it was quite a precedent to set, to not fine Lillard after a very pointed and emotional rant. CJ McCollum and coach Stotts also said things after that game that would normally always draw a fine. Now the league is being inconsistent, they used to levy a fine no matter how good a case the player or coach had about bad reffing.

[Pickled Prunes]

Before anyone calls out the league comparing this to the fine Lillard didn't receive last week... the two cases are completely different.

Lillard has no history of this kind of reaction and had a specific complaint about an obvious no-call in the final seconds of a game with playoff implications. He didn't imply cheating or conspiracy... he implied incompetence and he was on the money.

PG does have a history of this kind of reaction and he had no specific complaint. It was an abstract argument about 19 fouls vs. 11 fouls. The implication was that the refs were dirty. That will never be tolerated by the league. And honestly, sometimes one team fouls more than the other. There is no reason that those numbers should be even. It's a ridiculous point.

Your right and Paul George clearly has no case it was a really good physical game but the main thing was 76ers bigs getting down the middle and the smaller clippers with no real rim protection fouling more often.. This is pretty obvious if you watch the game.. PG just having a whinge after he keeps coming up small..

Sure the 2 cases were different, and the refs were clearly wrong in the Portland game. But still it was quite a precedent to set, to not fine Lillard after a very pointed and emotional rant. CJ McCollum and coach Stotts also said things after that game that would normally always draw a fine. Now the league is being inconsistent, they used to levy a fine no matter how good a case the player or coach had about bad reffing.

Yeah, but I don't remember seeing a call that obvious get missed, in a game that close, with playoff implications for the team that got jobbed. Lillard has been scratching and clawing to drag his injury riddled team to a playoff berth and now he's got to drag three incompetent refs with him? Trust me, Adam Silver jumped out of his chair and started cussing at whatever screen he first saw that on. Lillard didn't get fined because Silver understood. The Blazers' entire season could come down to this one obviously missed call.

What the Blazers are doing right now is something that all NBA fans should get behind. At one point this season POR and GSW were 14th and 15th respectively. The Blazers have had nothing but more injuries since and yet they continue to fight. The GSW on the other hand rolled over; they are only competing for lottery balls. You can think what you like of tanking, but shouldn't we all applaud a team that refuses to go quietly or take the easy way out? And even if they make it and suffer a humiliating sweep Lillard will tell you it was worth it just to get there.

So you've got a player with nothing but fight on one side and three refs with a solitary job to do on the other. And not one of the three sees a foul or a goaltend? I understand not seing on or the other, but how could they miss both? What could they possibly have been looking at... seriously, I want to know.

PG called the refs cheaters. He was just letting out his frustrations but his accusations were unfounded.

Lillard called the refs incompetent in regards to one specific play. He was both honest and correct. I expected a fine, we all did, but I commend the league for not bringing it. How do you fine a person for reacting the same way 99.9% of humanity would?