NBA officiating has perpetually faced criticism, but this year has witnessed an unprecedented surge in discontent. Players, coaches, and fans have consistently called out both referees and the league itself, making nightly grievances a common occurrence. A predominant concern throughout the season has been the perceived difficulty in playing defense.
Many argue that the NBA has effectively regulated defense out of the game, echoing sentiments expressed by Steve Kerr. Kerr’s frustration peaked when Nikola Jokic shot 18 free throws against the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day. Notably, Kerr directed his rant at the NBA’s rules rather than the referees enforcing them. This distinction underscores a prevailing theme of the season – the recognition that officiating issues extend beyond the individual referees.
This narrative unfolded prominently in a recent game between the Golden State Warriors and the Philadelphia 76ers. During the match, star guard Steph Curry found himself penalized with a defensive foul against Patrick Beverley, sparking controversy.
The contentious call gained widespread attention on social media, amassing over 2 million impressions on X (formerly known as Twitter). In response, the NBA’s official referees account defended the decision with a detailed statement:
“By rule, this is a defensive foul as Curry is turned sideways (illegal) and moving into the path of Beverley. The contact clearly impedes the progress of Beverley to the basket and was correctly judged as a defensive foul. Beverley is driving to the rim, and, by rule, it is the responsibility of the defender to be in a legal guarding position. We are trained to judge the legality of the defender unless the offensive player does something overt or abnormal that would trump a defender not in a legal guarding position.”
Apart from misspelling Beverley’s last name, this explanation from the NBA further fueled dissatisfaction among those who perceive such justifications as contributing to the problem. As Kerr underscored in his Christmas rant, the root issue lies not with the referees themselves, but with the league’s training that guides them to make such calls.
