SAN FRANCISCO — Steve Kerr didn’t get a lot sleep Monday night time.
How might he?
Kerr had quite a bit on his thoughts after the Warriors squandered a seven-point lead at first of the fourth quarter of Recreation 4. They'd alternatives down the stretch to drag off a series-tying win, however couldn’t catch a break, leading to a 104-101 loss in Los Angeles.
Within the speedy aftermath of the defeat that put the Warriors in a 3-1 collection gap and on the point of elimination, Kerr mentioned he thought the Lakers “took some flops and had been rewarded” down the stretch.
“I’ll should see the replays. Possibly I’m incorrect,” Kerr mentioned. “Possibly these had been all unlawful screens nevertheless it didn’t really feel prefer it watching the sport.”
Someday later, Kerr doubled down on his post-Recreation 4 feedback.
“There was undoubtedly some gamesmanship,” Kerr mentioned after a staff assembly Tuesday afternoon. “And look, I give them credit score. If you happen to can promote a name on this league, then do it. You do no matter it takes to win.”
Kerr took difficulty with the foul referred to as on Draymond Inexperienced close to the three:29 mark of the fourth quarter when the sport was tied at 96. Inexperienced tried to set a display on Lakers guard Lonnie Walker IV, who tumbled to the ground upon contact. After the play stopped, Inexperienced waved his fingers in disagreement and appeared pissed off with the decision.
Kerr sided with Inexperienced on Tuesday, saying that was “actually, actually a troublesome name.
“It’s a blatant flop. I imply, he simply takes a dive and the ref purchased it,” Kerr mentioned. “And like I mentioned, you give them credit score however you lament the truth that as a league we’re gonna reward that sort of play with the sport and the collection, all that stuff at stake and you'd hope that the officers would acknowledge when a man simply takes a dive.”
The NBA tried to crack down on flopping greater than a decade in the past and even instituted a fining system for repeat offenders who exaggerate falls to the ground that may idiot officers into calling a foul. However it largely goes unregulated.
Kerr mentioned the NBA ought to extra strictly implement guidelines to discourage gamers from flopping, just like what FIBA has completed to squash the problem.
“We now have the power to do the identical factor within the NBA if we wish. I feel we must always handle it as a result of gamers are so good. Your complete common season is about gamesmanship and attempting to idiot the refs and that is the way it’s been for some time and it’s as much as us as a league, will we wish to repair this?
“We are able to do higher by way of cleansing up the flopping. Within the meantime, give the Lakers credit score for the performs they’ve been capable of promote.”
One other defensive nod
For the eighth time in 9 years, Draymond Inexperienced has earned a spot on the league’s All-Defensive Group.
Inexperienced on Tuesday was named to this season’s All-Defensive Second Group, making him solely the fifth participant in NBA historical past drafted within the second spherical or later to gather no less than eight All-Defensive honors.
Inexperienced, a central piece to the Warriors’ protection, averaged 8.5 factors, 7.2 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.01 steals in 73 video games this season. He additionally recorded team-highs in blocks (60) and deflections (199).
The Warriors posted a team-best 109.2 defensive ranking with Inexperienced on the courtroom and a team-worst 115.3 ranking when he’s off it (minimal 10 video games).
“He ought to have been first-team,” Kerr mentioned. “However it’s an ideal honor to be on the Second Group. Draymond has lengthy been one of many premier defenders within the league.
“The season he had this 12 months, enjoying in 73 video games, giving us the hassle he did night time in and night time out, holding down the fort in a season the place we had been lacking guys left and proper. He actually anchored our protection and performed at such a excessive stage and confirmed that he’s nonetheless obtained quite a bit left within the tank.”
Inexperienced was joined on the Second Group by Warmth middle Bam Adebayo, Raptors ahead O.G. Anunoby, Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks and Celtics guard Derrick White. First Group picks belonged to Bulls guard Alex Caruso, Bucks guard Jrue Vacation, Grizzlies ahead and Defensive Participant of the Yr Jaren Jackson Jr., Bucks middle Brook Lopez and Cavaliers ahead Evan Mobley.