Warriors, Rockets coaches: Can we shut up and play basketball again?
OAKLAND — Steve Kerr and Mike D’Antoni agreed on one thing prior to Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals between the Warriors and Rockets.
Both coaches were ready for a new storyline after two days of seemingly constant dissecting of the way Game 1 was officiated.
“That’s the story right now,” Kerr said. “The good thing is we play at 7:30 and there’ll be a new story, hopefully.”
“I’m worried about the game. I’m not worried about that stuff,” D’Antoni added. “In every series that happens. It happened since probably George Mikan was complaining about something. It’s part of the game, part of the noise. It does not mean anything.”
The Rockets made it a story after Sunday when they lost 104-100 and complained they were robbed by the refs. D’Antoni griped about it and so did Houston star James Harden, who suggested he was fouled multiple times on 3-point shot attempts that drew no whistles.
The NBA agreed that some calls were missed, but said other plays were correctly deemed no-calls.
Kerr said both teams will have to be vigilant in how they defend, given the possibility the officials will try to set limits early in the game.
“Both sides have to be very aware of the possibility there could be a quicker whistle on those type plays tonight,” he said. “We’ve got to be solid and poised and play through the whistle. Whatever is called is called. Just get back to playing basketball. I think this stuff has been annoying more than anything.”
But Kerr understands this has been the hot topic online and on radio talk shows.
“Apparently people do want to focus on it,” he said. “We just show up and play and the stories that are out there are generated. These days there seems to be a bigger chance for a groundswell of momentum when a particular story enters into the picture.”
D’Antoni said the pregame talk is merely “good fodder.”
“There’s always going to be controversy — that’s the way it is. But it’s not a determining factor,” he said. “We go forward. It’s going to be a good game tonight. We’ve got good officials. We’ll see what happens.”
The Rockets have history with veteran Scott Foster, who is one of the three officials working Tuesday night’s game. Houston has lost its past six playoff games with Foster officiating, and he drew ire from Harden after a Feb. 21 game against the Lakers in which both Harden and Chris Paul fouled out.
Harden, whistled for two offensive fouls in the game, afterward called Foster “rude and arrogant” and suggested Foster shouldn’t be assigned to Rockets games.
D’Antoni downplayed that angle in the hours before Game 2.
“He’s one of the best in the game,” D’Antoni said of Foster. “Every game has its story. Doesn’t mean it’s going to carry over. It was what it was. That’s gone. What’s next is a great game tonight.”