Kerr Defends SGA, Blasts NBA Rules on Offensive Hand Usage

On March 8, in an NBARegular-seasonGame , the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Golden State Warriors 104-97 to extend their winning streak to five games.

After the game, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr commented on Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander during his press conference.

Kerr stated: "He's extremely smart. He knows exactly how to draw contact, and he does it completely within the rules. I have no issue with Shai whatsoever."

"My issue is with the rules. I think as a league, we allow too much off-hand contact. We can barely do anything defensively on the ball handler. If you allow offensive players to create space by pushing off with their off-hand, defense becomes extremely difficult because you can't extend your arm. Once you do, guys all over the league—like Shai, like James Harden—will grab your arm, and it's all within the rules."

"I support all players' individual abilities, but as a league, we need to adapt and adjust," Kerr said. "Guys take advantage of the rules year after year. They're smart; they know what they're doing."

Gilgeous-Alexander ranks second in the NBA in free-throw attempts per game this season with 9.2. Luka Dončić of the Los Angeles Lakers leads the league at 10.3.

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