James Harden sounds off on questionable officiating after Nets loss to Suns
The odds were stacked against the Brooklyn Nets. Before the game, the Suns were on a 10-game win streak and boasted a league-best 40-9 record. Luckily, James Harden made his return after being out with a right-hand strain against the Warriors.
Phoenix has only lost nine games all year for a reason. The Suns knocked down the majority of the shots that they took in the first quarter and ended the game shooting 42-of-76 from the field (55.3%).
Kyrie Irving (10-of-20 for 26 points) and Harden (6-of-19 for 22 points) didn’t have their best shooting nights. It didn’t help that Brooklyn was without three of its main scorers in Kevin Durant, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Joe Harris.
It would’ve been difficult enough to take down Phoenix with a healthy roster, given the team’s scoring abilities. Yet it felt like the Nets were at an even larger disadvantage.
After the game, Harden talked about what it was like trying to play defense against the Suns.
James Harden: "At this point, you can't touch nobody defensively. Or it'll be two free throws."
— Matt Brooks (@MattBrooksNBA) February 2, 2022
James Harden questions officiating after Brooklyn Nets’ loss to Phoenix.
It doesn’t feel right to blame the outcome of a game on the officials but it is fair to say that the Nets have gotten the short end of the stick recently.
On Saturday against Golden State, the officials called a foul against Kessler Edwards after Steph Curry launched his body into the rookie.
NBA's Last 2 Minute report says Stephen Curry abnormally jumped to create contact with Kessler Edwards at the 1:44 mark in the 4th quarter. Steve Nash opted not to challenge the foul call. Could have been a game-swinging decision. pic.twitter.com/Ydp9Q9e6CS
— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) January 30, 2022
In Phoenix, there was a big gap between the number of fouls called against the two teams.
Foul discrepancy tonight: Nets 25, Suns 13.
— Alex Schiffer (@Alex__Schiffer) February 2, 2022
The game was so poorly officiated in general that even Knicks fans were chiming in. That’s how you know that it was bad.
nah, but this Nets v. Suns game is one of the worst officiated games i’ve seen in awhile 😂
— Ashley Nicole Moss (@AshNicoleMoss) February 2, 2022
Harden has been open about the fact that he wants the officials to be consistent with the calls that they make. One of the guard’s strengths that he plays into is his ability to drive to the basket and score. However, this season a common theme is that even if Harden’s met with contact, the officials don’t always blow their whistle.
Even with Brooklyn’s decimated roster, Tuesday night’s matchup was still a good game but the quality of the contest was snatched away by the officials.
When it rains, it pours. The Nets are on a five-game losing streak and will have the opportunity to snap it on Wednesday in Sacramento. Hopefully, the officiating crew will be different than the one that Brooklyn last faced in California.
