- LeBron’s text message when Kyrie Irving asked him to come to Dallas Mavericks revealed
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar blames poor start to season for Lakers, says they looked ‘gassed’ in playoffs
- Report: There are ‘corners’ of Lakers organization that want to bring back D’Angelo Russell
- Report: ‘Door is not closed’ on Kyrie Irving joining Lakers in future even if he re-signs with Mavs this offseason
- Lakers insider doesn’t think team will sign Anthony Davis to extension this summer
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar mentions sad truth about relationship with LeBron James while describing admiration for him
- Report: Kyrie Irving wants to shut down notion that he’s ‘angling’ to get to Lakers
- Gilbert Arenas says LeBron James will be behind Karl Malone if he goes to Dallas Mavericks
- Jaren Jackson Jr. calls LeBron James the ‘greatest player to play’ the game of basketball
- Report: Lakers have maintained that they have no interest in Kyrie Irving
Rajon Rondo Issues Strong Statement About Chris Paul Getting Preferential Reffing
- Updated: January 12, 2020
The Los Angeles Lakers dominated the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night, thanks much in part to the efforts of Kyle Kuzma and Rajon Rondo.
Rondo was not only charged with added offensive responsibilities due to the absence of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but was tasked with guarding Chris Paul for much of the night as well.
That clash of rivals led Rondo to infer that he believes Paul received preferential treatment from the game’s officiating crew.
Rondo specifically pointed to a fairly physical common foul that Paul was called for in the third quarter of Saturday’s game.
“I just felt like if that was me, I would have been thrown out. Or it would have been a hell of a (thorough) review,” said Rondo, who wouldn’t detail the nature of the contact Paul made with him.
“It’s in the past. I don’t really want to talk about it. I don’t think it was a clean play. But like I said, I guess it’s reputation: his versus mine.”
Luckily, the foul didn’t lead to things spiraling out of control for the two players like it did last season.
In an Oct. 20 matchup between the Lakers and Houston Rockets during the 2018-19 season, Paul and Rondo exchanged blows, leading to suspensions for both players.
Despite the frustration Rondo seemingly felt during Saturday’s win, he didn’t let it impact his production.
He served as the Lakers’ second scoring option on the night and finished with a near triple-double, posting 21 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists.
Paul, on the other hand, finished with a more pedestrian effort on the night, finishing with 16 points, five rebounds and eight assists.