Doc Rivers' daughter defends Chris Paul against sexism accusations

Doc Rivers’ daughter defends Chris Paul against sexism accusations

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Clippers forward Matt Barnes (22) pressures Cavaliers forward LeBron James as he looks to pass. (Tony Dejak / Associated Press)

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Cavaliers forward Kevin Love tries to drive past Clippers forward Blake Griffin. (Tony Dejak / Associated Press)

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Clippers forward Matt Barnes gets in a few last words after getting ejected by referee Eric Lewis in the third quarter. (Tony Dejak / Associated Press)

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Cavaliers forward Mike Miller, left, and Clippers forward Glen Davis battle for a loose ball in the second half. (Tony Dejak / Associated Press)

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Clippers forward Matt Barnes tries to score on a drive against Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov in the second half. (Tony Dejak / Associated Press)

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Clippers Coach Doc Rivers shouts instructions during the first half of the game against the Cavaliers. (Tony Dejak / Associated Press)

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Clippers point guard Chris Paul (3) and Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving battle for a loose ball in the first half. (Tony Dejak / Associated Press)

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Cavaliers forward LeBron James drives to the basket against Clippers forward Blake Griffin in the first half. (Tony Dejak / Associated Press)

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Clippers point guard Chris Paul fouls Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov during play in the first half. Paul was called for a flagrant foul. (Tony Dejak / Associated Press)

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Cavaliers forward LeBron James scores against Clippers forward Blake Griffin in the first half. (Tony Dejak / Associated Press)

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Clippers forward Blake Griffin is fouled by Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith during play in the first half. (Tony Dejak / Associated Press)

By Melissa Rohlin

Feb. 6, 2015 2:01 PM PT

Clippers Coach Doc Rivers’ 26-year-old daughter, Callie, came to Chris Paul’s defense on Friday, tweeting that she doesn’t think the point guard’s criticism of female official Lauren Holtkamp had anything to do with her gender.

Tweeted Callie: “i believe that cp was not talkin about gender. he was stating his opinion about how awful she was as a ref. he should be fined not ridiculed”

Paul is under heat for his comments about Holtkamp following a technical he received during Thursday’s 105-94 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was dealt the technical with 10 minutes and 17 seconds left in the third quarter after the Clippers tried to quickly inbound the ball after a Cavaliers free throw.

“We’re trying to get the ball out fast every time down the court and when we did that she said, ‘Uh-uh,’ and I said, ‘Why uh-uh?’ and she gave me a tech and that’s ridiculous,” the Clippers point guard said. “If that’s the case, then this might not be for her.”

Holtkamp is in her first full season as an NBA referee and is one of two active female officials.

Some feel Paul’s comments are sexist. Others, including Callie, a former volleyball player for the University of Florida, are arguing that Paul was complaining about the call, and his remarks had nothing to do with the referee’s gender.

Tweeted Callie: “she was awful any1 who watched that game would agree. didnt matter what gender, bad is bad. that bein said, thats not why the clips lost lol

“also, compared 2 how some of the male refs get spoken 2 what cp said was nothin. so lets not pick&choose when we want 2 be treated as equals

“last thing.. those mad about him using “her” - well she is a female, which means he just used the appropriate pronoun. her = woman/his = man”

In total, the Clippers were dealt five technical fouls on Thursday.

Follow Melissa Rohlin on Twitter @melissarohlin