The Golden State Warriors are facing elimination in Wednesday’s Game 5 matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr hasn’t minced words about his frustrations in the series, which has led to a response from a Lakers player.
Kerr has voiced his opinion about the Lakers throughout the series. He most famous called them out for flopping attempts that he says are being rewarded by the officials.
“I think we had three of four illegal screens called against us,” Kerr said after their Game 4 loss. “That was disappointing, there were a couple that were very disappointing. The Lakers are a team thatplays with a lot of gamesmanship. They understand how to generate some calls. I thought they took some flops and got rewarded.”
Steve Kerr on the Lakers: "They are a team that plays with a lot of gamesmanship, they understand how to generate some calls. I thought they took some flops and were rewarded." pic.twitter.com/X4CakxfNIx
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) May 9, 2023
Fouls have certainly been a talking point of this series. The Lakers have shot more than double the number of free throw attempts that the Warriors have gotten.
Regardless, it seems like the Lakers aren’t feeding into Kerr’s narrative of their team being floppers. An anonymous Lakers player texted TNT’s Chris Haynes about Kerr’s comments and absolutely blasted him and the Warriors.
“Let them ***** and complain,” said the Lakers player to Haynes. It shows weakness and frustration. We can’t get caught up in that game. We just have to play and keep fighting.”
My @NBAonTNT report on Lakers’ player response to Steve Kerr’s claim of flopping: “Let them [expletive] and complain…” pic.twitter.com/xBcrNJDX5w
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) May 11, 2023
It’s unclear who exactly texted Haynes, but he did reveal that it was “a prominent Laker player”. That naturally would make most assume that this message is coming for a player like LeBron James or Anthony Davis.
Regardless, it seems clear that the Lakers aren’t concerned about how Kerr or anyone else views them. They will look to close out the Warriors in their Game 5 matchup on Wednesday night.
