Many NBA players have tactics for establishing a rapport with referees in the hope it will help their case when they’re lobbying for calls in the heat of the moment. The style and personality of certain high-profile players make building a relationship with referees a priority, while others, such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, avoid lauding officials and try to remain respectful of them. Referees are chosen based on their grading rankings, play-calling accuracy and team rankings, and are evaluated throughout each round of the playoffs. Chris Paul has a notorious reputation for his relationship with some referees, while Luka Doncic tends to protest authority to the detriment of his game.
How NBA stars such as Draymond Green and Dillon Brooks take player-referee relationships to new levels
