The Rockets and Thunder will meet in a Game 7 in the bubble on Wednesday, and both teams were likely dismayed by the news that veteran official Scott Foster will serve as the referee. Foster has a controversial history with the Rockets and with Oklahoma City’s Chris Paul, and some Rockets fans are already dreading his potential impact on the game.
In 2019, James Harden said he didn’t think Foster should be allowed to referee Rockets games, and called Foster “rude and arrogant.” Paul has also publicly criticized Foster on multiple occasions, joking that Foster officiates as if the fans “pay to see” him rather than the players on the court. The Rockets are on a major losing streak in playoff games officiated by Foster, and as Sports Radio 610’s Adam Spolane points out, Paul’s personal playoff losing streak in games called by Foster is even longer.
Rockets-Thunder Game 7 will begin at 9:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The Rockets have lost their last 7 playoff games officiated by Scott Foster while Chris Paul's teams have lost 9 straight Scott Foster playoff games.
Something's got to give
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) September 2, 2020
Scott Foster walking his way to eliminate the rockets once again pic.twitter.com/YtCLhEmKWk
— Rockets_Feed (@rockets_feed) September 2, 2020
Scott Foster sitting in his hotel right now wondering if he wants to screw over Chris Paul or James Harden more tonight. pic.twitter.com/fIAmsYur2k
— Gary Kester (@garykester) September 2, 2020
If the Rockets are able to win a close game against Chris Paul and OKC with the entire world waiting to clown them, with Scott Foster refereeing, with no dumb mental breakdowns and sloppy play down the stretch, I will believe we are winning the whole thing
— Nathan Fogg (@NathanFogg1) September 2, 2020
CP3 – James Harden – Scott Foster – G7
Chaos theory at its finest. You've gotta imagine CP is not happy.
Rockets +8 tonight, lets get it.
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) September 2, 2020
When you just know Scott Foster will be assigned to Game 7 but also remember he hates Chris Paul. pic.twitter.com/043BE91m91
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) September 1, 2020
Scott Foster after he stops James Harden from getting to the second round. pic.twitter.com/ixObgrgmYz
— Sam 🏀☘️ (@SamIsHyper) September 2, 2020
