After the Cleveland Cavaliers mounted a big rally and beat the Golden State Warriors on Christmas day, the NBA released their “Last two minutes” report admitting that the officials blew a crucial call on the game’s final possession.
On Tuesday, Kevin Durant slammed the NBA for the report even though it said he should have been granted free throws and a chance to win the game in the final seconds. According to Durant, the reports do more harm than good, by needlessly throwing the officials “under the bus,” and creating a situation where those same officials will now change the way they call a game.
Here is the full quote from Durant, via the Mercury News:
“The refs didn’t lose us that game. We lost that game. I think it’s bulls— the NBA throws the refs under the bus like that. This happened to be in our favor, not even in our favor. We don’t get the win. But to say I got fouled and the technical (on Lebron)? Just move on. Don’t throw the refs under the bus like that. Now the next game, that group of refs, whoever it is, they’re going to come out intentionally ref the game, try to get everything right and perfect without just going out there relaxing and trying to make the right call. You can’t fine us for when we go out there and criticize them and then throw them under the bus for the two-minute report. What about the first quarter, second quarter, third quarter? I think its bulls—. They should get rid of them. Refs don’t deserve that. They’re trying their hardest to get the play right, then you look at the play in slo-mo and say it’s wrong. I think it’s bulls— that they do that. Full of s— that you throw the refs under the bus like that after the game. Like it matters. The game’s over. We move on.”
The play in question occurred with less than four seconds to go with the Warriors down by one point. After Durant received a pass, he fell to the floor and was forced to throw up a desparation shot that missed wildly.
According to the NBA's "Last two minutes" report, "Jefferson (CLE) makes foot to foot contact with Durant (GSW) that affects his SQBR (speed, quickness, balance, rhythm)," admitting a foul should have been called.
