Winning at What Cost? The Thunder's Playoff Run and the NBA's Referee Problem
- Isaiah Hopkins
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
I remember a time when the NBA playoffs used to be as exciting as March Madness, when players truly cared about winning. The past few years it's felt as though not caring has become cool, as though winning the NBA finals was just a chill thing to do.
Last year, especially with the Oklahoma City Thunder, we saw players that at first acted very excited as they should be but then stopped to act “cool.” This epidemic of acting nonchalant has taken the fun out of the game.
On top of that, the way the Thunder were winning games was unethical, with these unnatural shots to draw fouls. And on top of the fouls they were drawing, they were literally grabbing and holding players while on defense.
The referees (specifically for the Thunder) have been some of the worst last year and even now in the very first series against the Phoenix Suns. Devin Booker and the rest of the Suns have already had issues with technical calls and the Thunder's very aggressive defense.
After Game 2, Devin Booker did something he said he’s never done before. During the press conference, Booker called out by name the referee that was making questionable calls, which ended up getting Booker fined $25,000. The fine makes sense, but the NBA came out and revoked the technical call as well, so the NBA knows what's happening and agreed with Booker about the call.
If things stay how they are right now, the Thunder won't lose a series; but if they continue to play how they play will their wins mean anything? OKC and the refs are definitely winning games, series, and Finals, but at what cost?
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