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Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George recently had a few bones to pick with the officials after a 112-105 win over the Orlando Magic, claiming he should have gotten to the line more often.
George shot 6-of-7 from the foul line, despite attempting 20 field goals in the game, telling reporters after a bounce-back win that OKC's Big Three wasn't being officiated fairly.
“We're just officiated differently, all three of us,” said a frustrated George, according to ESPN. “When we're on that floor, no one is getting the better side of that whistle.”
According to Second Spectrum, George's cries are unfounded, as he ranks atop a list of 125 players who have attempted 200 or more shots in the paint, getting fouls called his way in 31 percent of his paint attempts — the top rate among the bunch.
According to @SecondSpectrum powered by NBA Advanced Stats, Paul George is 1 of 125 players who has taken at least 200 contested shots in the paint this season.
He is fouled at the highest rate in the league on those shots (31%). https://t.co/UxHedo8QNF
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 27, 2018
George's complaint has no place due to his increased volume as a 3-point shooter this season, attempting 9.3 long-range shots per game in February alone —making that virtually half of his shot attempts per game.
The 6-foot-9 forward has shot double-digit free throws 10 different times this season, but his percentages at the line have taken a major dip, shooting only 81 percent after shooting a whisker under 90 last season in the same amount of attempts per game.
There isn't any unfairness coming from the refs side to either him, Russell Westbrook, or Carmelo Anthony — and now George likely awaits a fine from the league office for criticizing the officials, which will not be likely to make their whistles heard more often just because he chose to speak on it.
