Steve Kerr sounded off on the state of NBA officiating after he was displeased with how the Warriors’ Christmas game against the Nuggets was called.
Denver star Nikola Jokic shot 18 free throws as the defending-champion Nuggets defeated the Warriors 120-114.
Speaking to reporters after the game on Monday, Kerr lamented how the league’s referees have been instructed into presiding over a game that lacks flow.
“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.”
Kerr emphasized his belief that the individual officials are calling games the way they are at the behest of the league office.
“It was just baiting refs into calls, but the refs have to make these calls because that’s how they’re taught, Kerr continued.
“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.”
Kerr’s complaints come amid a stressful season for the Warriors.
The loss dropped Golden State to 15-15, the tenth seed in the Western Conference.
Draymond Green, a key component of the team’s run that has included four NBA championships, is suspended indefinitely after his second instance this season of violence against an opponent.