Chris Paul Labeled NBA's Greatest Diva By Former Ref

Out of all the egos in the NBA, longtime point guard Chris Paul makes his case for the biggest brat of them all. 

A retired NBA referee's account of CP3 called him the biggest "a**hole" he encountered after 32 years of officiating in the league. 

The Athletic posted a story on NBA official Scott Foster amid the buzzing 2024 NBA Playoffs. Longtime NBA ref Bill Spooner stepped in with his take on an ongoing Scott Foster-Chris Paul feud, zeroing in on Paul as the person at fault for the beef.

Spooner didn't hold back on his thoughts about Paul. He took a shot at CP3 for being a great "image cultivator" as a nice NBA guy but acting as the worst kind of headache for officials — frequently vocal and often petty when officiating doesn't go his way.

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 22: Chris Paul #3 of the Golden State Warriors reacts to referee Scott Foster #48 during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on November 22, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

"I'm going to tell you, and I know you are recording me, but I get asked all the time: 'Who are some of the tough guys, some of the bad guys?'" Spooner told the outlet. "And when I tell them that Chris Paul, in my 32 years in the league, was one of the biggest a**holes I ever dealt with, they say, 'Not Rasheed Wallace … or da-da-da?' Nope. Nothing like (Paul)."

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 14:  Referee official Bill Spooner controls the ball during the game between Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat in game one of round one of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 14, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

Spooner added, regarding Paul: "And they are like, 'Oh, he seems like such a nice guy.' And I say, 'Yeah, he's a great image cultivator.'"

In a league with Draymond Green and LeBron James, Chris Paul faces major ‘brat’ allegations by Spooner, though his pettiness in the league is also well-documented.

CP3 has long accused Foster of holding a vendetta against him. They shared a flare-up last season when Foster assessed two techs to Paul, booting him from the game. Foster has also been at the helm of a handful of losses by Chris Paul-led teams, giving the player belief that Foster's got a target on his back.

MILWAUKEE, WI - JULY 20: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during Game Six of the 2021 NBA Finals on July 20, 2021 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

The 39-year-old point guard, seemingly still interested in playing, has been a fiery figure throughout his career. 

Paul's competitive edge with the Charlotte Hornets to start his career put him on the map. 

Now that he's approached ‘NBA old man’ status, CP3's antics aren't landing as well.

(Who is the NBA's biggest egomaniac? Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com)

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