The Golden State Warriors’ postseason run has been marked by intense, physical battles since the Play-In Tournament—and with that has come mounting controversy over how games are being officiated. From inconsistent whistle-blowing to an overall increase in physicality, referees have found themselves at the center of debate. Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy offered his perspective on the issue ahead of Game 3 of the NBA Western Conference semifinals.
Speaking on Warriors Pregame Live with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Bonta Hill, Chris Mullin, and Zena Keita, Dunleavy acknowledged the difficulty in striking the right balance between letting players play and maintaining order on the court.
“I think it’s an interesting dichotomy,” Dunleavy said. “Clearly, in the regular season, the league, the fans—everybody—wants this open, free-flowing type of play, lots of points, all those things. But then, when you flip the page to the postseason, everyone expects physicality, grind-it-out possessions. Whether it’s the players, fans, or coaches, that’s the expectation.”
He continued: “So we put the referees in a tough spot. Suddenly it’s the playoffs, and players want whistles, but also freedom to play through contact. It’s not easy for officials. There’s been a lot of discussion about it—and rightfully so. Playoff basketball is the best, and we’ve got to let it play out, but we also need to find a balance.”
Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors is fouled by Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second quarter at Chase Center on December 08, 2024 in San Francisco, California.
Kerr not concerned with the whistles
While officiating has been a hot-button topic across the league, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has taken a more measured approach. The veteran coach, who’s experienced countless NBA playoff battles, made it clear he isn’t dwelling on calls.
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“I thought the [Draymond Green foul] we challenged was a charge,” Kerr said Sunday via Zoom. “Those are always subjective calls. You live with them. I didn’t like his sixth foul, but it doesn’t matter. Sometimes the calls go your way, sometimes they don’t. I haven’t given it a second thought.” Kerr praised the referees’ overall performance, adding: “I thought the officials did a really good job [Saturday]. We just have to play a little better.”
Dunleavy reflects on a different era
Dunleavy, a former NBA player himself, understands how difficult it can be for players like Green to adapt to changing interpretations of physicality. He pointed out that today’s game is far removed from the era his father, Mike Dunleavy Sr.—a former NBA guard and 1999 Coach of the Year—played in.
Sitting alongside Chris Mullin, Dunleavy joked about how drastically the game has evolved. “Put it like this,” he said with a laugh, “Draymond Green would have zero technical fouls in [my father’s] era.”
