Playing nice just might be Warriors’ optimal option
Leo Durocher can kiss the Warriors’ rear.
Figuratively, of course. Leo is dead.
Durocher once said, “Nice guys finish last.” But nice might be the Warriors’ ticket to the NBA title.
Draymond Green got his 13th technical foul of the season Monday in Oklahoma City for jumping into a skirmish between Stephen Curry and Thunder players Russell Westbrook and Semaj Christon.
In his defense, Green was separating the combatants and protecting his guy. In the refs’ defense, Green was aggressive in his peaceful bulldozing.
Green said the “T” didn’t surprise him, implying once again that he is being targeted.
Let’s say that’s true. The refs are fed up with Green’s theatrical complaining. Day-Day shows up the refs, he wears ’em out.
So Green can either fight ’em all the way to the suspension box, costing his team points along the way, or he can dial it back. He can turn down the rage, and even turn on his immense charm.
Maybe it wouldn’t work, but the current plan is not wildly successful.
And what if the Warriors, led by head coach Steve Kerr, join the nice-guy party?
Kerr already has good relations with refs. He’s not a kiss up, but Kerr is a genuinely nice fellow who respects the refs and often treats ’em like humans.
But Kerr can run hot. Like all coaches, he feels the need to keep the heat on the officials. Coaches believe that if you don’t rage at every bad call, you become the unsqueaky wheel.
What if Kerr and Green and the other Warriors dial back the tears, the sarcastic smirks and the arms upraised in anguished appeal to the heavens?
It would be revolutionary, but what if the Warriors took their outrage and channeled it into, I don’t know, defense?