Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr voiced his displeasure with how the game is being officiated following his team’s 120-114 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Christmas Day.
“I have a problem with the way that we’re legislating defense out of the league, that’s what we’re doing in the NBA,” Kerr told reporters including The Athletic’s Anthony Slater. “The way we’re teaching the officials, we’re just enabling players to BS their way to the foul line.”
“We have enabled the players, and they are taking full advantage,” Kerr added. “It’s a parade to the free-throw line, and it’s disgusting to watch.”
The Warriors and Nuggets combined for 55 free-throw attempts Monday, including 32 for Denver. Nikola Jokic went 18-for-18 from the charity stripe, the most free throws he’s ever made in a single game.
The Nuggets rank 25th in free-throw attempts at 20.7 per game. However, the Warriors allow the fourth-most free throws to their opponents at 25.6 per contest.
Contrary to Kerr’s comments, the six lowest free-throw-to-field-goal-attempt ratios in the NBA’s 3-point era have all come within the last seven seasons, according to Basketball Reference, including a 20.2% mark in 2023-24.
