The Golden State Warriors suffered a frustrating 120-114 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday, and while there was no shortage of factors contributing to the defeat, it was the officiating that drew the ire of Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.
Kerr struggled to conceal his frustration in the post-game conference, pinpointing the excessive fouls called against the Warriors as a significant factor in the team’s struggles. The Warriors were called for 23 fouls compared to the Nuggets’ 17, a statistic that did not sit well with Kerr.
“I have a problem with the way we are legislating defense out of the game. That’s what we’re doing in the NBA,” Kerr expressed. “The way we’re teaching officials, we’re just enabling players to BS their way to the foul line.”
Kerr’s grievances extended beyond the game in Denver, as he openly complained about the officiating trend throughout the league in the current season. According to Kerr, the emphasis on fouls is “enabling players to BS their way to the foul line,” creating a situation that, in his opinion, is detrimental to the game.
The Warriors coach highlighted the impact of these frequent foul calls on the flow of the game, criticizing the inconsistency and suggesting it led to a less enjoyable viewing experience. Kerr emphasized that players, over the last decade, have become adept at manipulating situations to draw fouls, turning the game into a “parade to the free-throw line.”
Players, including Warriors star Stephen Curry, echoed Kerr’s sentiments, expressing frustration with the inconsistency in officiating and its impact on the game’s dynamics. Curry emphasized the need for more consistency, recognizing that the current scenario affects the Warriors’ ability to defend and adapt to different playing styles.
While the Warriors, at times, effectively limited Nuggets’ star Nikola Jokic from the field, the constant fouls allowed him to capitalize at the free-throw line. Jokic went 4-of-12 shooting but made all 18 of his free-throw attempts, ultimately influencing the game’s momentum.
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