In a close game, Denver managed to hold off Golden State thanks to Nikola Jokić’s 18-of-18 shooting from the free-throw line and Jamal Murray’s clutch shooting. Steve Kerr, the coach of the Warriors, chastised the officiating afterwards.

Following the Golden State Warriors’ 120-114 Christmas Day loss in Denver, Steve Kerr held a two-minute and two-question postgame news conference. Following an overview of the team’s performance, Kerr was questioned about a more particular aspect of the defeat. Nuggets star Nikola Jokić converted all 18 of his free throw attempts despite being fouled 12 times.

All season long, Kerr has been critical of his own team’s propensity for fouling. Out of the 30 teams in the league, they commit the fifth most. After the Nuggets loss, though, he directed his wrath elsewhere, criticising the league and the state of the sport.

“I have no problem with the officials themselves,” remarked Kerr. “We have excellent officials throughout the league. The way we are legislating defence out of the game bothers me. In the NBA, that is what we are doing. Players can bluff their way to the foul line because of the manner we are instructing the referees.””I object to the way defence is being eliminated from the game by legislation. Players can simply bluff their way to the foul line with our assistance. I wouldn’t have wanted to watch the second half if I had been a fan. It was repulsive.”