Steph Curry Reacts to Nikola Jokic’s Unbelievable 18-Point Free Throw Shooting Spree: Is This the New Splash Brother of the Charity Stripe?
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has been going viral for his postgame rant on NBA officiating that followed Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic shooting 18 free throws on Monday afternoon.
“I have no problems with officials themselves,” Kerr said. “All across the league we have really good officials. I have a problem with the way we are legislating defense out of the game. That’s what we’re doing in the NBA. The way we’re teaching officials, we’re just enabling players to BS their way to the foul line. If I were a fan, I wouldn’t have wanted to watch the second half of that game.
It was disgusting. It was just baiting refs into calls, but the refs have to make these calls because that’s how they’re taught. I have a real problem with the way we have legislated defense out of the game in this league. And the players are really smart in this league. Over the last decade or so, they’ve gotten smarter and smarter, and we have enabled the players, and they are taking full advantage. It’s a parade to the free throw line, and it’s disgusting to watch.”
When asked about this, Steph Curry understood what his coach was saying, and shared his own thoughts on the officiating:
“It does cater to the guys that can sell calls,” Curry said. “When there’s physicality, it’s tough because it’s inconsistent at times on either side, just what’s the tone of the game. Then game to game it changes, that’s the nature of basketball, but a night like tonight, you feel like there’s physicality on one side and then ticky-tack on the other. Then they get into the bonus and it changes the [complexion] of the game. It’s not like we don’t foul, I’m not saying that. It’s just consistency is key when it comes to understanding how you can defend. I know what [Steve Kerr] is talking about. It was tough tonight. Slowed the whole game down. Obviously [Jokic] made every free throw. It changed the momentum, played into their hands. Until things change, you have to adjust, but it’s frustrating.”
