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The Oklahoma City Thunder's triumphant comeback effort against the Indiana Pacers included a 24-0 run to pull ahead, one that could ultimately turn the page on their season, but that hasn't stopped forward Paul George from the occasional frustration with the whistles from time to time.
This is a recurring theme for the Thunder, devoid of shooters and often seeking contact and at times not getting the desired call from the officials.
During the Thunder's run, the Pacers had showed signs of frustration as the final points came on a makeshift four-point play for George. The OKC forward finished an and-one play over Wesley Matthews, causing the defender to criticize an official and draw a technical foul. George hit both free throws calmly to salt it away.
Yet on the previous play George was also frustrated with a call when a foul by Matthews was called on the floor, instead of in the act of shooting.
“We're officiated differently,” Paul George told Royce Young of ESPN. “I'm gonna change my mindset. It's tough emotionally to be in the moment and respond to a call or no call. I'm human, but I've learned to be better with that. Just try to move on, and a lot of times it throws my game off when I'm wrapped up with the refs and invested too much into the refs. So, just trying to change the focus, and I think everybody is. That starts with myself, that starts with Russ. Those guys look up to us in this group. So, we just try to change our focus.”
The Thunder will have to have that focus with them past the extent of the regular season, as the playoffs could present a different challenge, considering that every point will count in determining a series.
George and company will have to learn to roll with the punches and be on their best discipline before technical fouls are called on them, which could prove costly in a ruthless Western Conference.
