Game 1 of a highly anticipated NBA playoff rematch became a debate about foul calls. Draymond Green and James Harden took center stage.
One could very easily make the case that officiating was the most interesting and emotionally compelling topic in postgame press conferences after the Golden State Warriors defeated the Houston Rockets, 104-100, in the opener of this best-of-seven series. Warriors-Rockets is likely to produce the NBA Western Conference champion, even though it is only a conference semifinal series. The stakes are high, and both teams are known as being high-volume complainers. Game 1's events set the tone for a series in which a lot of chirping is likely to occur.
James Harden and Draymond Green predictably made their feelings known after Game 1 on Sunday in Oracle Arena.
Harden — who was not fouled by Green on a tying 3-point attempt inside the final 15 seconds of regulation — felt he got the short end of the stick from the officials:
James Harden: “I just want a fair chance, man. Just call the game the way it’s supposed to be called and we’ll live with the results.”
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) April 28, 2019
Draymond Green was not going to meekly accept those comments. He fired back:
Draymond’s response to Harden’s comments on refs?
“I’ve been fouled by James (Harden) on a James 3-pointer before. I ain’t trying to hear that.” pic.twitter.com/Bkdx8PZW03
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 28, 2019




Here is the fuller transcript of comments from Draymond Green:
Draymond Green's reaction to James Harden's criticisms about the officiating is rich. pic.twitter.com/TiTTq9fNdy
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) April 29, 2019
It is clear that James Harden is highly interested in working the officials for Game 2 of this series on Tuesday night in Oakland. Everyone will be watching to see if the officiating crew in that game gives him the “fall-down” foul calls he tries to buy on 3-point shot attempts in which he is clearly jumping several feet forward. The term “landing space” is now going to become part of the national basketball lexicon.
Draymond Green will probably be involved in another highly-discussed call or two — or eight — before this series is over.
He and Harden are just getting started.