The NBA postseason is set to begin this weekend, and one of the biggest concerns heading into the playoffs is the officiating. Referees have been criticized throughout the regular season due both to many questionable calls that have impacted close games and the perception among certain players that some officials let personal bias affect their job performance.
However, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is pretty confident that the games will be called the right way from here on out.
Officiating is guaranteed to be a topic the next couple months. Steve Kerr: “Fans need to understand, it wouldn’t be possible to officiate the games the exact same way in the playoffs as the regular season. The game’s would take four hours.” pic.twitter.com/G48vSFxi77
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 12, 2019
Kerr has a point. The games do slow down during the playoffs, meaning if the refs will be calling each and every petty foul they see, there would be a lot of stoppages. Also, as history suggests, NBA officials tend to allow players be a little bit more physical in the postseason.
The Warriors have been part of several games with bad officiating this season, and since they are gunning for their third straight title, the referees' calls might hurt their chances of doing joining the league's hallowed club of “three-peat” champions.
But Golden State, just like every other team in the field, is expected to face all postseason obstacles head-on. Whether the calls go in their favor or not, they are wise enough to just play the game and move on. They may need even more patience than their opponents considering Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, and DeMarcus Cousins all have long histories of butting heads with referees, too.
The Warriors' first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers tips off on Saturday.
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