The 2024-25 NBA playoffs games have introduced topics that need to be discussed by the league in the near future. The match between the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets raised a discussion over the safety of players and what the NBA is doing about that. The player in focus is Stephen Curry and head coach Steve Kerr and player Draymond Green voice out the lack in straightening out defenders who strike a shooter’s hand after release. This moment affecting Curry’s performance, the NBA might have to reevaluate their rules.
Steve Kerr’s frustration with the NBA’s rules
Expressing in outrage, “the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard,” head coach, Steve Kerr opposes the players exploiting the rule (allowing contact occurring by mistake after releasing the ball) to harm opponents. Game 5 of the playoffs against the Houston Rockets was a difficult moment for the legend Stephen Curry, with the injury of his thumb being exposed to opponents who aim to injure it further.
Spectators such as head coach, Steve Karr explain that “they kept swatting at his hand”. Firming his stance on the matter, Kerr says that 30 other coach voice his concerns and that the league will probably handle the matter in the next season. The loophole explored by opponents is a potential harm to players with Kerr warning “It’s only a matter of time before somebody breaks a thumb or a hand”.
With Stephen Curry’s injury being something he has had to take care of since the beginning of the year, the target of his thumb aimed to possibly limit his outstanding performance on court or the player’s overall attendance to the playoffs. Aware of that, the opponents have abused the rule of contact unless deemed excessive.
Houston Rockets’ loophole against Curry
The lack of sportsmanship expressed by the Houston Rockets against the Golden State Warriors with the purposeful ambush, Stephen Curry’s safety as a player was compromised in the name of a championship. The first quarter of Game 5, hoping to get Curry out immediately, Dillion Brooks headed for Curry, striking his right hand resulting in further injuring his thumb.
Regardless of Stephen Curry’s reaction to the pain caused, the league issued no foul. Acknowledging the attack from Dillion Brooks, Draymond Green said, “I think it’s pretty obvious, but it is what it is.” With history of playing aggressively, Brooks denies no ambush saying, “If [someone] had an injured ankle, I would attack that ankle every single time.”
With further additions of intensity and scuffles in Game 5, the Warriors are probably planning their defence for future games to try combat any attacks. Responding to the situation, Curry says “You don’t think about it. And if it’s a foul, they should call it.” The league is called out for the lack in protecting players and that they should adjust their rules.
Game implications for the Warriors and the NBA
The NBA is put under heat and is pressurised to change their contact rules for the betterment of their players and the improvement of inconsistent officiating. Not performing his well-known best, the injured player, Stephen Curry scored only 13 points in Game 5 which is a massive decline from his 36 points he scored in Game 3.
With warnings from head coach, Steve Kerr about player safety, future games in the playoffs and regular seasons may have a sense of better approach to how they address opponents finding loopholes to harm other players. The ability for a referee to call a fragrant foul, as said by Kerr, if a defender is targeting an opponent is possible, however the call is hardly made.
With multiple voices raising out such concerns, the pressure of the NBA to take notice and do something is peaking. This case not being an isolated concern, there are important figures in the NBA such as head coach of the Golden State Warriors, Steve Kerr who have called out for change along with 30 other coaches as said by Kerr. The aim to explore loopholes for the benefit of a championship is not sportsmanship as it only results in risks to star players such as Stephen Curry.
