OAKLAND, CALIF.: Tyronn Lue has always made it a point to say he won’t argue with referees, yet he still found a way to get fined $25,000 for making critical comments about the officiating following the Cavaliers’ Game 4 loss to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.
Lue had no comment on the fine Monday. He said everything he needed to say Friday after LeBron James went to the free-throw line just four times in 46 minutes.
“He never gets calls,” Lue said Friday. “Outside of Russell Westbrook, he’s one of the guys that attacks the paint every single play. And he doesn’t get a fair whistle all the time because of his strength and because of his power and guys bounce off of him. But those are still fouls and we weren’t able to get them. But we’ve got to play through officiating.”
James was equally upset with the officiating after Game 4.
“It’s been like that all year for the most part,” James said. “I’m not quite sure what I can do personally to get to the free-throw line, but I’ve got to continue to be aggressive for our team. I’m getting hit, but the refs are not seeing it that way, on my drives.”
Change the system
Warriors coach Steve Kerr would like to see the cumulative points system changed that triggers suspensions. Draymond Green was suspended Sunday in part because of flagrant fouls he committed in previous series.
“I do think it’s curious that somebody who gets knocked out in the first round and who’s been on vacation for seven weeks is under the same penalty system as somebody who is still playing in the Finals now,” Kerr said. “I’m not sure why that is the case. It seems like a strange rule. It’s not anything we’re going to bring up with the league. Maybe it’s something to talk about in the offseason. It does seem a little strange.”
Concussion protocol
Kevin Love said he suffered from headaches after his concussion in Game 2. He was forced to miss Game 3 before he was cleared from the league’s concussion protocol in time for Game 4.
“I was very frustrated not being able to play Game 3,” Love said. “I went through everything I could. It wasn’t fun having to deal with the headaches and having to do the various testing and protocol, but it’s league mandated. It’s there for a reason to protect us. It was frustrating not being able to play.”
Shoulder woes
Steph Curry took the podium Sunday with his right shoulder wrapped in ice, prompting questions about it after a Los Angeles Daily News surfaced Saturday that Curry could need surgery after the season. Curry quickly dispelled that idea.
“I can’t even keep a straight face,” Curry said when asked about the ice pack. “Whoever said I was getting shoulder surgery and all that kind of stuff, we’ve got bumps and bruises … but we’ll be all right. We’ll be fine.”
No lift expected
James said Green’s suspension won’t really provide a lift for the Cavs, who are looking for any spark they can find since no team has rallied from a 3-1 deficit to win the NBA Finals.
“We know how dangerous they are no matter who’s in the lineup,” James said. “I mean, obviously we saw what they were able to do without Steph for two weeks, playing against Houston and playing against Portland. Those guys still complement each other, no matter who’s out on the floor.”
Lottery system?
Warriors center Andrew Bogut said he doesn’t understand the NBA’s punishment system and what rises to the level of discipline and what doesn’t.
“There’s no rhyme or reason to it,” he said. “I’ve been in the same situation. I’ve been suspended before. It’s almost like a lottery system for the draft. They just pull out a ping-pong ball and make a decision.”
Jason Lloyd can be reached at jlloyd@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Cavs blog at www.ohio.com/cavs. Follow him on Twitter www.twitter.com/JasonLloydABJ.