CLEVELAND — Warriors coach Steve Kerr likely will be fined with gusto by the NBA after he unleashed on the league in a strategic diatribe that ripped the referees for calling six fouls on MVP Stephen Curry — three of which he classified as “absolutely ridiculous” in Cleveland’s 115-101 Game 6 victory.
Curry fouled out with 4:22 left after a ticky-tack backcourt infraction as he hounded LeBron James. Curry went ballistic, getting a technical to boot after throwing his mouthpiece and jawing at referee Jason Phillips.
“He had every right to be upset,’’ the normally mild-mannered Kerr said, his voice rising with emotion. “He’s the MVP of the league. He gets six fouls called on him — three of them were absolutely ridiculous. He steals the ball from Kyrie [Irving] at one point. LeBron flops on the last one. Jason Phillips falls for that flop. As the MVP of the league, we’re talking about these touch fouls in the NBA Finals.”
During the Cavaliers’ first-period onslaught, after Curry picked up two fouls in the opening five minutes, Kerr spent most of an early timeout lecturing referee Ken Mauer.
Curry’s wife, Ayesha, also ripped the refereeing on Twitter, questioning the league’s integrity, but her husband stopped short of fineable remarks.
“I’ve never been ejected,’’ Curry said. “It was a lot of frustration, though it was hilarious the way the last two fouls went.’’
Kerr wasn’t done.
“Let me be clear, we didn’t lose because of the officiating,’’ he added. “They totally outplayed us. But those three of the six fouls were incredibly inappropriate calls for anybody, much less the MVP. I’m happy he threw his mouthpiece. He should be upset.’’
The league usually fines coaches the standard $25,000 for referee criticism, but Kerr’s rant could be viewed as more excessive. He added later the refs are “going to call ticky-tack fouls on the MVP. I don’t agree with that.’’
J.R. Smith continued to make a big contribution to the Cavaliers’ cause. He buried 14 points, hitting 4 of 10 3-pointers in the Game 6 win, including two big 3s in the final period.
“Anything we can get out of J.R. is always a plus for our team and we have to do a better job of continuing to do a great job of getting him the ball, touches and early looks,’’ James said beforehand. “He’s very key for our team. Anytime he’s able to make a couple of shots it just frees up opportunities for myself and Kevin.’’
Meanwhile, Andrew Bogut wouldn’t give Smith a free pass on the collision that cost the Australian the rest of his NBA Finals. In Game 5 Monday, the former Knick with the reputation for sketchy play drove hard to the hole, as Bogut blocked his shot in the lane. Smith, off balance, crashed into Bogut’s legs and the Warrior went down in agony. Bogut has bone bruises in his left knee that will keep him out six-to-eight weeks and may cost him a chance to play in the Olympics.
“Somehow he cannonballed right into my shin with his shoulder,’’ Bogut said at the Warriors’ morning shootaround. “It was painful. I went down. I thought I blew out my knee, the pain I had. I heard two cracks but that was bone on bone.’’
Told Smith said it was “a basketball play,” Bogut responded, “I’ve seen [the replay]. I don’t know. It’s a tough play. I don’t know how he fell. It’s up to interpretation.’’
Smith did not exercise the option to his contract for next season, making him a free agent, but said he plans to re-sign.