Why Kerr agrees with the NBA upgrading Draymond’s foul to Flagrant originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – Warriors coach Steve Kerr has had some spirited debates with Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins, but they are completely on the same page regarding a foul committed by Draymond Green.
Additionally, the NBA agrees with both coaches, as the league upgraded what was initially called a taking foul on Green in the Grizzlies-Warriors game Friday night to a flagrant 1 foul. Green grabbed the left ankle of Memphis rookie Zach Edey in transition.
Once reviewed by the NBA, the error was upgraded. Kerr agreed when asked for his opinion after Sunday’s training.
“I agree; he grabbed it,” Kerr said of Green. “Definitely take a foul as they shouted. But I had no problem upgrading it to a blatant 1. It’s not a basketball game. It was more than a take error.
Jenkins addressed the issue during his post-game press conference.
“There was that one play, we were about to start the break and (Edey plays) really hard to try to get out, and Draymond grabs his leg and pulls him down and it’s not judged,” Jenkins said. ‘I know there is a code in this competition. And I don’t understand why that hasn’t been reviewed. Very disappointing.”
Green dribbled into the paint in the third quarter, lost his balance and fell to the ground, resulting in a turnover. When Edey picked up the loose ball and tried to go the other way, his left ankle was grabbed by Groen. When Edey lost his balance and fell, referee Andy Naga immediately whistled a take foul on Green.
“A take foul (is when) you reach, a guy dribbles past you, and you reach and grab him,” Kerr said. “This was (Green) holding a guy down and tripping him up in transition. I agree with egregious 1.”
Although a flagrant 1 foul does not result in a fine (a flagrant 2 earns a $2,000 fine), the league will collect $6,000 from Green. Later in the game, he picked up two technical fouls ($2,000 each) and was ejected, earning another $2,000.
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