NEW YORK, USA – Houston Rockets guard James Harden has been fined $25,000 by the NBA for criticizing referees in public following a match with the Los Angeles Lakers where his team lost, 111-106.
“You aren’t able to talk to him throughout the course of the game. It’s like, how do you build that relationship with officials? It’s pretty frustrating, ” Harden was quoted in a dispatch from Agence France Presse (AFP) as telling reports after they were defeated, referring to referee Scott Foster, whom he also reportedly described as “rude” and “arrogant.”
According to the AFP report, referee Scott Foster caught Harden’s ire as four offensive fouls were called against him with the last sending him out of the game in the midst of a six-point deficit by the Rockets in 84 seconds remaining though it was not whistled by Foster.
Harden said Foster has a “personal” issue with the Rockets and should not be permitted to officiate any more of their games, said the AFP report.
Harden, reigning MVP, leads the NBA in scoring with 36.5 points a game. He also averages 7.7 assists and 6.7 rebounds per contest as well as ranking third in the league with 2.15 steals a game. (Photo from NBA Twitter)
