Draymond Green on The Controversial Call: “It’s The Draymond Rule”

Yesterday we had Joel Embiid, today that is Steve Kerr. These two guys showed a lot of emotions because of the officials. Both of them had an opinion that the refs were making bad calls and were damaging their respective teams.

The only difference, Embiid postgame’s burst was more notable than the one on the court, while Kerr did it the opposite.

His explosion in Moda Center was just one of few we’ve seen in his career. Kerr is a quiet and peaceful guy who tries to resolve every problem with a calm and professional attitude.

Well, last night there wasn’t any of that.

His Golden State Warriors were having a huge battle against the Portland Trail Blazers in Oregon. The contest was very tight and intense, which is probably a reason for Kerr’s noisy reaction. Both teams were close, entering the fourth quarter almost leveled, with 97-95 for the Blazers.

Steve Kerr didn't like the flagrant foul call on Draymond Green, and now his vacation starts early https://t.co/zxCDhtkawy

— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) February 14, 2019

With the game on the line, and seven points behind, GSW’s defense specialist Draymond Greene made one strong foul on Zach Collins preventing him from an easy layup.

Surprisingly, Green was called for a flagrant foul. It made Kerr furious.

“I was just shocked that it was called a flagrant foul,” Kerr said.

Well, to be honest, coach Kerr was a bit more than shocked, because people who are in the state of shock aren’t energetic as he was in those moments.

He started yelling at one of the refs and smashed his clipboard into the ground. Although he was immediately ejected, Kerr continued with loud protests, and went wild, with even higher intensity than before.

KD had to hold Steve Kerr back 😳 pic.twitter.com/94wkOPiXGh

— ESPN (@espn) February 14, 2019

After the game finished, he was calmer, but still upset because of the above-mentioned call.

“We’ll obviously get an explanation from the league…”That was head-scratching that could be called a flagrant foul. I mean, the guy’s going to go up for a dunk, you got to make sure he doesn’t dunk it.” Kerr stated.

The reason for his uncharacteristic reaction was the fact that several fouls which were looking stronger than this one, weren’t sanctioned as flagrant. And this particular, happened in the moments when the game was about to be decided. The officials are always more flexible in such situations, and the defense needs to be a bit tougher because of the stake.

But there is also one more reason why refs don’t like to make big calls like this one in the closing moments of the contest. It could easily decide the winner. And we had a proper example last night.

After ejecting Kerr, and giving the flagrant to Green, Portland had 5 free throws. All of them were made, three by Lillard and two by Collins. Blazers had the possession also, and Jake Layman sunk a three-pointer, making this an 8-point play.

When the whole thing started, Portland was up 110-103. In the end, it was 118-103, and the Warriors didn’t’ have their coach anymore.

The man who caused all this, Draymond Green, said that he did have the contact with the opposite player, but that the majority was on the ball.

Draymond Green on the questionable flagrant, the “Draymond rule”, the Steve Kerr ejection, the Klay-Collins beef: “I enjoyed that. (Klay) was talking bad to that dude.” pic.twitter.com/sp7vNUrV9n

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) February 14, 2019

The only positive thing which came out of that, according to Green was the way Kerr stood up for his player. That is something which always boosts the morale of the guys on the court, as they know that their coach is going to support them.

“I loved that, too. That was amazing.” Green said.

Green also spoke about his tech, explaining that it wasn’t right.

“I got a tech also for standing there — that probably should be a delay of game, not a tech. You can’t give somebody a tech because they’re standing there, that’s a delay of game.”

The 3-time All-Star ironically concluded that there might be some kind of a rule, which refers only to him, and his actions on the court.

“I don’t know, it’s the Draymond rule.”

The Warriors are now heading for the All-Star break, and have some time to get out from the media and to recharge their batteries. It is something they are desperate for, following a turbulent period where they had to deal with manny issues.

They are continuing the championship against the Kings, at home, in seven days time.