Harrison Barnes has started the season exceptionally well and that mask he’s forced to wear has not slowed him down. Barnes’ nose was broken after he was elbowed by Dante Cunningham and coach Steve Kerr believes it was intentional.
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Kerr sent the videotape to the NBA so they can review it and decide whether Cunningham’s actions were malicious. Pelicans head coach Monty Williams came to his player’s defense and quickly dispelled any notion of foul play. According to John Reid of NOLA.com, Williams was specifically upset at Kerr for calling the NBA and “Whining”:
”I don’t like playing that game of calling the league, kind of whining about what happened in the game,” Pelicans coach Monty Williams said.
”If I have an issue with a coach or something happen in the game, I go talk to that coach. I didn’t think it was malicious. Dante doesn’t play that way.”
Williams would have preferred if Kerr would have approached him about the entire situation, rather than going straight to the league. Ultimately, Kerr decided it was best to let the NBA handle the matter, but they still haven’t made a ruling.
Both coaches are standing up for their player, but for Williams to call out Kerr for whining is a bit excessive. An inadvertent elbow can happen at any time, but Cunningham also caught Draymond Green with one, which is why Kerr was so adamant about notifying the league. Luckily, Barnes didn’t miss any significant time and has played well with the mask.
Kerr is going to stand up for his players every time and in any way he can. It’s doubtful he cares what Williams has to say in response to him “whining” to the NBA. The Pelicans and Warriors meet again on March 20th at Oracle Arena, this should add some drama to this match-up.
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The Warriors have been dealing with bad officiating for years. That’s what happens when you suck for so long. Steve is just protecting his players.
You mean Pelicans and Warriors meet up March. 20th?
Yes, my fault.