Steve Kerr blasts officiating after Jokic's free-throw spree: 'It was disgusting' / News - Basketnews.com

Steve Kerr’s frustration with NBA officiating became the center of discussion after the Denver Nuggets triumphed over the Golden State Warriors and Nikola Jokic hit 18 free throws.

Credit: Christian Petersen / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP Credit Christian Petersen / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

Steve Kerr has expressed strong dissatisfaction with NBA officiating, following a game where Nikola Jokic took 18 free throws, contributing to the Denver Nuggets' 120-114 victory over the Golden State Warriors.

Player of the Game EFF 35 Nikola Jokic Points 26 Accuracy 4-12 Rebounds 14 Assists 8

The Warriors were whistled for 23 fouls as a team. Jokic drew 12 of those fouls, matching a career high with 18 trips to the free-throw line. He didn't miss a single foul shot, overcoming an off day from the field as the Denver Nuggets extended their winning streak to five games.

According to Kerr, the issue lies in the way defense is being penalized, which he believes undermines the integrity of the game. He argued that the players are exploiting the rules to get to the free throw line, which he finds unenjoyable as a spectator.

"I have a problem with how we are legislating the defense out of the game," Kerr said. "We are enabling players to B.S. 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 those calls," the Warriors' coach continued.

"The players are really smart in this league. For the last decade, they’ve gotten smarter and smarter. 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."

Golden State guard Stephen Curry believes that those who tend to sell calls are the ones most often getting them.

"It does cater to the guys who can sell calls," Curry said. "There is physicality. But it's tough because it is inconsistent, at times, on either side. On a night like (Monday), when you feel there is physicality on one side and then ticky-tack on the other, it changes the complexity of the game."

But the Nuggets, specifically guard Jamal Murray, have no problem with a little bit of theatrics. As long as a player doesn’t flop, he is worthy of getting a whistle, Murray said, according to ESPN.

"He gets fouled a lot. He gets beat up down there," explained Murray, who scored a game-high 28 points.

"It's hard to call every foul, I understand. They can only do so much."

Jokic insisted he wasn’t trying to bait officials on Monday, he was just trying to make up for a lackluster night from the floor. The two-time MVP made 4 of 12 shots overall while missing both of his attempts from 3-point range on the way to 26 points. He also had 14 rebounds and eight assists.

"I was missing shots, so I was just trying to be aggressive in another way, maybe play a little more physical," Jokic said. "It just happened to be that kind of night. This is the most I've ever had."

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