In the midst of what might go down as the best basketball game of the 2018-2019 NBA season, a San Antonio Spurs double overtime victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, Paul George was issued what you might say was a questionable technical foul.
https://twitter.com/HeartofNBA/status/1083764211866574849
Down two with just over three and a half minutes to go in the second overtime, George drove the lane and muscled in a tough layup while drawing contact from LaMarcus Aldridge to tie the game at 143 a piece. George, upset with the lack of a whistle, looked at the ref and clapped his hands together in frustration. He then slapped his elbow, mimicking what he thought Aldridge to him that should’ve warranted a foul.
That, apparently, was enough for the ref to blow his whistle and give George a tech. George was outraged, as was much of Twitter, including the point guard for the Golden State Warriors.
No. Nope. Na. Hell no!
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) January 11, 2019
Curry, in response to a Bleacher Report tweet of the play asking if PG13 deserved a technical, had some pretty strong words. He wasn’t the only NBA player that had an issue with it, either, as Jared Dudley couldn’t believe that call came in that late in the game.
Can’t call this! It’s double OT man! The game isn’t about you 🤦🏽♂️ https://t.co/82D566I8T6
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) January 11, 2019
Twitter was ablaze with people appalled at the ref feeling the need to issue a tech in such a crucial moment of an incredible basketball game.
You can’t call a tech like that in 2OT on Paul George.
— Syl (@sylver4syl) January 11, 2019
That ref should get suspended for calling a tech on Paul George in that situation. Unbelievable.
— Tony (@thetonebone13) January 11, 2019
That’s a clear foul by LaMarcus Aldridge on Paul George and then ref calls a tech??? @NBA you got some explaining to do!
— Gardner Royce (@GardnerRoyceTV) January 11, 2019
Worst tech I’ve ever seen tonight called on Paul George in 2nd OT of incredible game. He did nothing to warrant it. 143-143 at the time. #okcthunder shafted two straight games.
— Lyle Spencer (@LyleMSpencer) January 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/BULLETlN/status/1083597162737487873
It will be curious to see if the NBA addresses the technical in their last 2-minute report. Regardless, it won’t change NBA Twitter’s (or Steph Curry’s) feelings on its legitimacy.
