Steve Kerr implies Lakers’ flopping gave them an edge with the refs
By Ian Levy
The Warriors let Game 4 get away down the stretch, landing in a 3-1 hole. Steve Kerr put some blame on the Lakers’ flopping.
The Warriors collapsed in Game 4, surrendering a 12-point lead and losing to the Lakers 104-101. They’re now trailing in this series for a number of reasons. Jordan Poole’s shooting percentages have cratered. Anthony Davis has completely shut them down in the paint. They’re minus-22 in the fourth quarter of the four games in this series and minus-15 in turnover differential.
But the one that’s probably the most frustrating to the Warriors and their fans is that the Lakers have attempted 52 additional free throws. It was a piece of their Game 4 loss — the Lakers were 20-of-20 from the line, the Warriors were 9-of-12 — and Steve Kerr drew attention to it with his postgame comments.
Warriors Coach Steve Kerr after Game 4 loss to the Lakers: "The fourth [quarter] was about [Lonnie] Walker and we had three or four illegal screens called. That was disappointing. ... [The Lakers] took some flops and were rewarded."
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) May 9, 2023
Warriors Coach Steve Kerr decrying illegal screen calls in fourth quarter of Game 4 loss: "The Lakers are a team that plays with a lot of gamesmanship. They understand how to generate some calls. I thought they took some flops and were rewarded.”
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) May 9, 2023
Steve Kerr is using gamesmanship himself, claiming favorable treatment for the Lakers
There are a number of reasons the Warriors may be lagging in free throws. They had a minus-275 free throw differential during the regular season, the Lakers were plus-372. Early in the series, they struggle to attack the rim and create opportunities in the paint, in part because of the fantastic defense of Anthony Davis. Only one game so far in the series triggered an Official Last 2 Minute Report — Game 1. In that report, the league found just one incorrect call and found that it benefited the Lakers, not the Warriors.
Setting all that aside, Kerr’s comments can also be viewed as an attempt to draw some favorable calls for the Warriors in Game 5. In theory, the referees are impartial in all situations. In practice, highlighting supposed inconsistencies, specifically around moving screens, may draw their attention to things that could help the Warriors.
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