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The longest-running war in the intricate dance of the NBA does not involve two teams, but it’s a player against a referee. Nevertheless, Commissioner Adam Silver is hopeful that Chris Paul and referee Scott Foster will manage the conflicting relationship stemming from the preceding disagreements within their career. Recently, the saga, which has been running for a long time, reached climax and Silver decided to tackle it in public. The commissioner stresses that professionalism must be observed, intimating that the prolonged conflicts between Paul and Foster should not escalate any further.

Adam Silver’s call for professionalism and the future outlook

Commissioner Adam Silver talked about the Paul-Foster saga while being interviewed at SiriusXM NBA Radio amid the heightened concern over this matter. Silver admitted that on a personal level, but their professional obligations as generals must overcome that hatred. In a recent statement on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Commissioner Silver expressed, “Chris Paul and NBA Referee Scott Foster] don’t have to be friends but you both have to go out and do your jobs”. 

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According to Silver, they do not have to be friends but must perform their designated functions well. The commissioner praised both Paul and Foster as “the best in their field” but emphasized having to keep it strictly professional. The NBA has issued several statements to remind the concerned parties of their roles and to ensure that personal differences do not interfere with the spirit of the game.

The league continues to try to put out this age-old rivalry with the focus centered on Scott Foster and wondering what might happen during Foster officiating any games that Paul takes part in.

The unsettling history: A decade-long feud

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The essence of this case dates back ten years ago when Chris Paul maintained a rivalry with Scott Foster and exceeded the regular player-referee confrontation. These involve how Foster’s calls, particularly when Paul is on the court, always culminate in technical fouls and ejections, most dramatically with a recent Warriors Goldens vs. Phoenix Suns clash.

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A second technical foul was given to Paul, an All-star for 12 years, at the end of an argument that had taken place on the court and resulted in the ejection of the player. According to Paul, the feud has a ‘personal’ dimension that dates back for several years to an incident that happened during his term with the Los Angeles Clippers. Recognizing the gravity of the problem, the NBA had held discussions with Paul and Foster as early as 2018 concerning the developing tension.

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Silver’s straightforward comments aim at putting out this protracted saga through the NBA and refocusing public attention back on the game. What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.