DeMarcus Cousins Critiques Officiating in Warriors vs. Rockets Playoff Duel

Former NBA star DeMarcus Cousins has voiced concerns over the officiating in the playoff series between the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets, suggesting that referees are overlooking too many fouls.

The Western Conference first-round clash has been intensely physical, yet Cousins isn’t pleased with the way the referees have been handling the action on the court.

“It’s reaching a point where I think the refs are ignoring too much,” Cousins shared with Michelle Beadle and Chandler Parsons on FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back.” “As a fan and a player known for physicality, I enjoy this style of basketball. It’s the essence of the game. However, over the past decade or so, basketball has seen a decline in physicality.

“Despite this, there were moments in the game where I felt the refs were too lenient. For instance, when [Gary Payton II] attempted a dunk and got blatantly fouled, it stood out. Coach Steve [Kerr] quickly called a timeout. Incidents like these need to be called. Certain plays just cannot be overlooked.”

The Rockets’ aggressive defense has troubled Steph Curry and the Warriors’ offense throughout the two games in the series. The referees have largely refrained from calling fouls, even with the Rockets contesting aggressively near the basket.

With Jimmy Butler out due to a pelvic contusion, the Warriors struggled to find their offensive rhythm in Game 2 as Houston’s physicality took its toll. The officiating team seems content to let both squads clash fiercely, reminiscent of an era in basketball when hand-checking was commonplace.

However, even with improved officiating, the Warriors still face a significant challenge in finding a successful offensive plan to counter the Rockets’ strategy.