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Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George will pay a steep cost for criticizing the officiating crew following Wednesday night's loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
George has been fined $35,000 by the league, per USA TODAY's Mark Medina.
The NBA fined Clippers forward Paul George for $35,000 for criticizing the officiating following the Clippers' loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Wed.
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) March 19, 2021
The All-Star forward was dismayed the Clippers did not get more calls at the rim. Los Angeles had 39 shots in the painted area and 30 at the rim, but managed just 11 free-throw attempts.
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George was asked about the conversations L.A. players had with the officials, saying “It's a bunch of lies.” He said the team cannot do much if players aren't seeing the benefits of being aggressive:
“I mean, our job is to be aggressive, attack,” George said, via Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints. “We can’t do much more than that, right? If they not gonna call it, they not gonna call it, and that’s the sucky part about it because we’re not flopping players. We’re not players that’s like throwing our bodies into other players. Like, we play physical, no different than any other player in this league. There’s nothing more that we can do, we’re attacking, we’re putting pressure at the rim, again, there’s nothing that I feel — unless we just start diving and playing a flopping game — there’s really nothing much that we can do.”
George was not alone in his criticisms. Fellow Clippers All-Star Kawhi Leonard also questioned some elements of the officiating, though he said the team has to stay in attack mode and do a better job of capitalizing on opportunities.
Los Angeles was scuffling prior to the All-Star break. The Clippers have not had much success stringing together wins since the second half began, either.
George and Leonard will need to lead the Clippers through all the frustrations. The addition of a playmaking point guard in the next week could also be beneficial.
