After the Golden State Warriors’ 120-114 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Christmas Day, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr didn’t hold back what he thought. He expressed frustration with the state of modern basketball officiation. Interestingly, he didn’t blame the officials at all. Instead, he blamed the way that the officials learned to do their jobs from the NBA.
The Warriors’ coach is known for his candid remarks, so that’s not much of a surprise. In his interview (seen below), he articulated his discontent with what was happening. His claim was simple. He believed that good, sound NBA defense had been legislated out of the game.
Kerr Claims that the NBA’s Dynamics Are Changing – and For the Worse
In his post-game interview, Kerr remarked on the game’s dynamics. He didn’t say the officiating cost his team the game. As well, he was clear in acknowledging the shortcomings in his team’s play. However, he was primary concern was about what was happening more broadly in the NBA. As a league, the way officiating is taught has ruined the game.
Kerr admitted that the Warriors had their struggles with shooting and ball movement. However, a larger issue was the way defense was being gradually phased out. He stated, “I have a real problem with the way we’ve legislated defense out of the game in this league.”
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The coach didn’t place blame solely on the officials. Instead, it seemed as if he believed that the officials also “got the problem.” He emphasized a systemic problem in how the game is taught and regulated.
For Kerr, the Players Have Come to Call the Game Themselves
Kerr expressed his displeasure with the current trend of players manipulating the rules to draw fouls, leading to what he described as a “parade to the free throw line.”
His frustration peaked. He shared, “If I were a fan, I wouldn’t want to watch the second half of that game. It’s disgusting.” Kerr painted a pretty clear picture of players who were baiting referees into making calls that benefitted themselves. By doing this, he claimed that they were exploiting the rules. Players had created a style of play that, in his eyes, detracts from the essence of the sport.
In Kerr’s view, player intelligence has evolved over the past decade. It has led to a situation where players are taking advantage of the rules. And, they do it to a degree that is detrimental and makes the overall viewing experience boring for fans. If he were a fan, he wouldn’t even want to watch the second half of the game his team played. His team – who has some really exciting players – had just played.
Steve Kerr Implies that the NBA Game – as Officiated – Has Become Boring
If Kerr’s comments have merit, they highlight a broader issue for the game of basketball at the NBA level. Basketball has some of the world’s greatest athletes. However, he implies, who wants to see them walk to the foul line?
His comments are firmly about the need to allow offensive innovation, but also to allow solid defense. For him, there’s an integrity to the sport that has made it exciting. As the NBA continues to evolve positively, Kerr implies that the excitement must remain. If he’s right, the joy of the game itself could be in trouble.
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