Criticism of female ref ‘was about a bad call’

Chris Paul made it clear: His problem with referee Lauren Holtkamp was with her call.

His criticism of the rookie official drew a rebuke from the referees union Friday followed by strong backing from the female executive director of the NBA Players Association.

“Any suggestion that Chris Paul would ever conduct himself in a disrespectful manner towards women is utterly ridiculous, outrageous and patently false,” Michele Roberts said in a statement, noting Paul’s role in making her the first woman to head a North American major sports union last summer.

The Los Angeles Clippers guard criticized Holtkamp on Thursday night after a 105-94 loss at Cleveland, saying she might not be ready for the big leagues after six seasons in the NBA Development League.

Paul was called for a technical foul by Holtkamp in the third quarter.

Paul also was supported by Becky Hammon, the former WNBA star who was hired by the San Antonio Spurs last year as the first full-time female assistant coach of an NBA team.

“Chris Paul is a competitor & he had an opinion, I don’t think it had anything to do with the refs gender,” Hammon wrote on Twitter.