NBA: Harden's beef with (ref) Scott Foster

[VeloClone]

https://sports.yahoo.com/james-harden-says-personal-arrogant-ref-scott-foster-150558032.html

I don't follow the NBA closely but I know that Harden tends to get away with a lot. Those of you who know more about this is there something to Harden's belief that Foster is out to get him or is he just mad that Foster won't let him schmooze into getting favorable calls?

 

[3TrueFans]

When you're only used to favorable called getting called for actual fouls feels like you're being treated unfairly. Whiny *****.

 

[megamanxzero35]

Foster was really connected to Tim Donaghy. Probably what Harden was hitting at.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Donaghy



https://www.foxnews.com/story/disgr...hys-phone-calls-to-second-ref-raise-questions

 

[Doc]

Harden's such a genius on the court I tend to trust his judgment on refs. He knows when he's fouled.

 

[jay moe]

He pushes off and travels all the time, I do not feel sorry for him.

 

[BuffettClone]

The part that gets me is Harden complains how he can't talk to Foster on the court to establish a relationship. I understand its done all the time, but he's complaining how he can't get favorable calls by making friends with the ref.

 

[VeloClone]

He pushes off and travels all the time, I do not feel sorry for him.

Did anyone see the game in question? Were any of the fouls he received in this game push off fouls? Does anyone have any knowledge of the previous game after which Harden publicly complained about Foster.

I have opinions on this, but I would rather get information from people who follow the NBA closer than I do.

 

[cyfan92]

He pushes off and travels EVERY time, I do not feel sorry for him.

FIFY

 

[Go2Guy]

He pushes off and travels all the time, I do not feel sorry for him.

As a Rocket fan, I agree, but add nobody was worse than Jordan - especially vs the Jazz, and maybe Harden thinks he's at that elite status
https://media.giphy.com/media/C4YFuLE3mqvo4/giphy.gif

 

[3TrueFans]

Did anyone see the game in question? Were any of the fouls he received in this game push off fouls? Does anyone have any knowledge of the previous game after which Harden publicly complained about Foster.

I have opinions on this, but I would rather get information from people who follow the NBA closer than I do.

One was a push off, another was an arm to Rondo's face, and then a few charges. You can see the push off in the first video here https://deadspin.com/the-notoriously-rule-bending-rockets-whined-about-the-r-1832812919 seems like an obvious offensive foul to me.

 

[Doc]

The part that gets me is Harden complains how he can't talk to Foster on the court to establish a relationship. I understand its done all the time, but he's complaining how he can't get favorable calls by making friends with the ref.

I think it helps a lot for the players to understand what the ref saw, so they can correct it. If the ref won't tell them what they saw when they blew the whistle it just makes the game worse for everyone IMO. It's not to get calls, as much as it is to understand their perspective.

 

[coolerifyoudid]

One was a push off, another was an arm to Rondo's face, and then a few charges. You can see the push off in the first video here https://deadspin.com/the-notoriously-rule-bending-rockets-whined-about-the-r-1832812919 seems like an obvious offensive foul to me.

Great comment under that article:

I understand that Harden is upset, but before making comments like these after games he should just take a step back and then take a step back and think.

 

[VeloClone]

I think it helps a lot for the players to understand what the ref saw, so they can correct it. If the ref won't tell them what they saw when they blew the whistle it just makes the game worse for everyone IMO. It's not to get calls, as much as it is to understand their perspective.

True, but in his own words Harden said that "you couldn't voice your opinion". Sure officials can help the game by answering the question What did I do? or What did you see? but when the conversation is just complaining or arguing about the call the conversation should not continue and when every conversation with that player in the game is simply complaining or arguing the calls the official has no reason to engage at all.

 

[VeloClone]

Harden benefits by bending the rules to the tune of 30+ points a game for over 30 games in a row and counting. When you benefit from breaking the rules and avoiding the calls sometimes bending the rules isn't going to work and you have to be prepared to accept the consequences. Perhaps after 3 offensive fouls and and 5 total fouls Mr. Harden should consider adjusting his play to the officiating, i.e. they are going to call the offensive fouls that I am committing so I should stop pushing off.

 

[jbindm]

True, but in his own words Harden said that "you couldn't voice your opinion". Sure officials can help the game by answering the question What did I do? or What did you see? but when the conversation is just complaining or arguing about the call the conversation should not continue and when every conversation with that player in the game is simply complaining or arguing the calls the official has no reason to engage at all.

It's a fine line for the player and ref. There's nothing wrong with asking a ref about a call or discussing something during a dead ball or play stoppage. And Foster (any ref, for that matter) should be willing to engage with a player if it's done respectfully. But in general most players don't do well toeing that line. It too often gets to the point where a player is badgering a ref or just complaining and not trying to have a constructive conversation.

 

[jbindm]

Harden benefits by bending the rules to the tune of 30+ points a game for over 30 games in a row and counting. When you benefit from breaking the rules and avoiding the calls sometimes bending the rules isn't going to work and you have to be prepared to accept the consequences. Perhaps after 3 offensive fouls and and 5 total fouls Mr. Harden should consider adjusting his play to the officiating, i.e. they are going to call the offensive fouls that I am committing so I should stop pushing off.

But that's what happens in a superstar-driven league. MVP-type players such as Harden have come to expect that they're going to get the calls. And when they don't, this is the kind of stuff that happens.

 

[VeloClone]

But that's what happens in a superstar-driven league. MVP-type players such as Harden have come to expect that they're going to get the calls. And when they don't, this is the kind of stuff that happens.

The true test will be if the League bends to pressure from the media and the Players Association on this.

 

[jbindm]

The true test will be if the League bends to pressure from the media and the Players Association on this.

I don't think they will, at least not publicly. If the league didn't stop assigning Joey Crawford to Spurs games after the Tim Duncan fiasco way back when then I doubt they'll pull Foster off Rockets games now. Sets a bad precedent. My guess is that Harden and Paul will get fined and maybe Foster gets some coaching from the league behind the scenes.