Phrases like dirty play and player code are usually not NBA Playoff norms. Yet, they have been prominent during every Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors game.
In the course of all of the injuries and bloody faces, little of the narrative has actually been based on the quality basketball being played. This is disturbing, considering the two teams are battling to see who makes the Western Conference Finals.
When did physicality become a detriment to the NBA Playoffs?
Former commissioner David Stern worked hard to open up the court and make the game less aggressive. Still, when it came to the playoffs, physicality was still key to making an imprint (even if it resulted in an unfortunate injury. Because success at this time of year was predicated on doing whatever it takes to win championship season. The whining and everything else has simply been an annoyance.
The reason being that careers are defined by rings.
A player could be of Hall-of-Fame caliber, like Charles Barkley or Reggie Miller, but their level of greatness varies on the totem pole according to how much jewelry is on their fingers. LeBron James is an even more fitting example. In the minds of many, one of the only things keeping him from GOAT status is the two fewer titles than Michael Jordan.
That type of pressure breeds the necessity to win by any means necessary. Things like pressing right up against the line before stepping over and becoming a detriment to the team – with no regard for the outcome for the opposition.
Grizzlies wing Dillion Brooks echoed these feelings in his response to pregame press conference questions about Steve Kerr’s player code rant:
“No reaction. I don’t even know what that means. [It’s] the playoffs. Every bucket, every basket, every possession, every play counts. So, I did not understand what he meant by that.”
Once the off-court media posturing stops, the Grizzlies and Warriors can proceed with letting onlookers marvel at players who care enough to risk it all for a ring.