Mark Jackson was not impressed by the way that the Denver Nuggets played their latest game, calling out the team on plays that he felt were dirty. At practice the following day, he singled out a play which saw a non-scoring cut by Stephen Curry through the lane impeded by Kenneth Faried attacking the ankle of Curry:
There were some dirty plays early. It’s playoff basketball, that’s alright. We own it. Make no mistake about it, we went up 3-1 playing hard, physical, clean basketball, not trying to hurt anybody… The screen on Curry by the foul line is a shot at his ankle, clearly. That can’t be debated’
At practice the next day, Mark Jackson made it perfectly clear that he had no problem with physical play of any kind, except when it was a purposeful targeting of a player’s weakness, especially the ankle of Curry:
What would I do if I was playing against (Curry) and he heated up?’ I’d be physical with him,” Jackson said. “That’s understandable. It’s not hypocritical. There’s no part of me that said I’d be dirty with him. You take an attempt to kick him with your foot, with his foot, that’s not a basketball play. That’s a cheap shot.”
George Karl and Mark Jackson have addressed the issue of the post-game accusations multiple times over the past few days, each claiming that the other is taking cheap shots at the other. Karl seems to be oblivious to any cheap shots like the one on Curry’s ankle:
I’m just trying to figure out what movie he’s watching… not the one I’m watching… If there’s a score card, if we’re in a boxing fight right now, they’re winning.”
It’s a back and forward dialogue that can only be settled by one team winning the series, which for Warriors fans, will hopefully be tonight at Oracle Arena during Game 6.
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