Steve Kerr Sounds Off on Officiating: Are the Warriors Being Held to a Different Standard?
The Golden State Warriors walked away with a big win over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night, but the postgame conversation wasn’t just about the scoreboard. Head coach Steve Kerr didn’t hold back when asked about Draymond Green’s ejection - and the way the league handled a separate incident involving Dillon Brooks just two nights earlier.
Let’s rewind for a second. On Thursday, in a heated matchup between the same two teams, Dillon Brooks delivered what looked like a gut shot to Stephen Curry late in the game.
Brooks was hit with a Flagrant 1 foul, but he stayed in the game and faced no suspension. Fast forward to Saturday: Draymond Green was tossed after picking up two technical fouls, the second for arguing a call.
That’s when Kerr’s frustration boiled over.
“So, apparently you’re now allowed - this is my take - you are now allowed to premeditate a punch of any shooter who’s left defenseless,” Kerr said postgame. “You can now take a swing at him and know you’re just gonna get a flagrant 1.”
That wasn’t just heat-of-the-moment emotion. Kerr brought receipts, referencing Brooks’ hard foul on Gary Payton II a few seasons back - the one that fractured Payton’s elbow and left a lasting impression on the Warriors.
Kerr called that play “one of the dirtiest” he’s ever seen. It’s clear he sees a pattern with Brooks, and he’s not convinced the league is holding everyone to the same standard.
Now, let’s be fair here - Draymond Green isn’t exactly a stranger to controversy himself. He’s built a reputation over the years for toeing (and sometimes crossing) the line with opponents, referees, and even teammates.
But that’s exactly Kerr’s point: reputations shouldn’t dictate officiating. The rules are the rules, and they’re supposed to apply equally - whether your name is Draymond Green or Dillon Brooks.
What’s frustrating for the Warriors is the perception that Green gets a quicker whistle than most. Plenty of players argue with officials.
Plenty of guys chirp throughout a game. But Green seems to get tossed faster than others, and when that happens, the Warriors lose one of their most important pieces.
He’s still the defensive anchor, the emotional engine, and a guy whose presence changes the way Golden State plays on both ends.
To their credit, the Warriors didn’t fold after Green’s ejection. In fact, they rallied.
Golden State outscored Phoenix by 17 points over the final three quarters, showing the kind of grit and resilience that’s defined their championship core. It was a statement win - not just because of the opponent, but because of the circumstances.
But the bigger picture remains: this team is still searching for consistency. They’ve had stretches where they look like contenders and others where they look out of sync.
With the Western Conference as deep as it is, there’s not much time left for soul-searching. Golden State needs to figure out who they are - and fast - if they want to be a serious threat come playoff time.
In the meantime, the Warriors will keep fighting - not just for wins, but for what they believe is fair treatment. And if Saturday night was any indication, they’re not going to stay quiet about it.