Steve Kerr 'disgusted' by officiating after Nikola Jokic's 18 FTAs - ESPN

DENVER — Members of the Golden State Warriors rolled their eyes as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic made his way to the foul line. He was about to attempt his 15th and 16th free throws.

Jokic ended the game taking, and making, 18 free throws — a career high for him and an NBA record for the most such makes without a miss on Christmas Day. It also was tied for the second-most free throws overall for Christmas.

The Warriors weren't necessarily mad at the officiating of Jokic on Denver's way to its 120-114 victory. The countless bloody scratches he has after every game is proof of the contact he works through.

But Warriors coach Steve Kerr was displeased with how fouling has been refereed leaguewide.

«I have a problem with how we are legislating the defense out of the game,» Kerr said. «We are enabling players to B.S. their way to the foul line. If I were a fan, I wouldn't have wanted to watch the second half of that game. It was disgusting. It was just baiting refs into calls, but the refs have to make those calls… the players are really smart in this league. For the last decade, they've gotten smarter and smarter. We have enabled the players, and they are taking full advantage.

»It's a parade to the free throw line, and it's disgusting to watch."

Jokic told ESPN he isn't actively thinking about selling a call when he feels contact. His emphasis is on staying aggressive and hoping the whistle gets blown.

But Warriors guard Stephen Curry said the whistle will always benefit the player who can make sure the official sees that there is contact, often by exaggerating.

«It does cater to the guys who can sell calls. There is physicality. But it's tough because it is inconsistent, at times, on either side,» Curry said. «On a