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Let's Have An Honest Discussion About Steph's Whistle

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Let's Have An Honest Discussion About Steph's Whistle 

Post#1 » by Romulus » Wed Apr 2, 2025 5:16 am

Seriously, what is going on here? Why does the league consistently allow Curry to be fouled and mugged without protecting their cash cow? He absolutely is the most popular player on the planet, loved by millions. He's a great ambassador for the game. He's wholesome. He's loyal to his coach and his franchise. And yet, he's mugged on a nightly basis. How many times in tonight's game against Memphis was Curry fouled without a call. It felt like the Grizzlies could tackle Curry and get away with it.

It was so bad and obvious tonight that even Warrior announcer Fitz, who LOVES to applaud the refs for their brilliance, couldn't help himself. In the post game interview, Steph was asked how he deals with the constant contact and non calls. His answer said everything: "It's my reality." It is, isn't it? Could you imagine how less successful Harden or SGA would be if they got the whistle that Steph gets? It's actually the most obvious thing in the NBA that is not discussed except by the fans themselves.

So I ask, why? What is the source? Protecting Lebron's legacy? Not being with Nike? I've heard theories and I'd love to hear any plausible explanation. Because it's disgusting. How much easier would it be to have Steph shooting 15 free throws every game? How difficult would it be to guard him if you weren't allowed to hold him (off the ball) and then just blatantly foul him (on the ball).

Something is terribly amiss here. Adam Silver recently talked about what a gift Steph Curry is for the league. If that's true (and we all know it is), why is this mugging allowed every game?

Anyone?
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Re: Let's Have An Honest Discussion About Steph's Whistle 

Post#2 » by vvoland » Wed Apr 2, 2025 5:25 am

it's beyond 'interesting', at this point. It seems so misguided to give the superstar whistle to guys that grift for a living and aren't nearly as popular as the guy that's putting in 200 miles each game and is an idol to every kid who's not 6'8.

The nike or lebron thing seems too much of a conspiracy. Could it be the refs just hate him/kerr/lacob/warriors org? Are they punishing Dray for all his antics by giving Steph a terrible whistle?

If I had to guess, it'd be the fact that he doesn't complain much + trying to avoid contact to get a shot off, instead. If he sought out contact, maybe he'd get to the line more but he'd certainly spend more time on the IL. In either case, he needs to get 2 or 3 times as many calls as he gets, especially off-ball, where it seems like half the league is trying to impregnate the guy
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Re: Let's Have An Honest Discussion About Steph's Whistle 

Post#3 » by Romulus » Wed Apr 2, 2025 5:34 am

vvoland wrote:it's beyond 'interesting', at this point. It seems so misguided to give the superstar whistle to guys that grift for a living and aren't nearly as popular as the guy that's putting in 200 miles each game and is an idol to every kid who's not 6'8.

The nike or lebron thing seems too much of a conspiracy. Could it be the refs just hate him/kerr/lacob/warriors org? Are they punishing Dray for all his antics by giving Steph a terrible whistle?

If I had to guess, it'd be the fact that he doesn't complain much + trying to avoid contact to get a shot off, instead. If he sought out contact, maybe he'd get to the line more but he'd certainly spend more time on the IL. In either case, he needs to get 2 or 3 times as many calls as he gets, especially off-ball, where it seems like half the league is trying to impregnate the guy


You're right, it's beyond "interesting." Whatever the reason, it's messed up. I'm not necessarily sold on the Lebron/Nike thing either, and yet, what else could it be? I think we've all seen it happen so many times now we know it's real. All too real. As Steph said, it's his reality, the world he lives in. I'm just shocked Steve Kerr and Joe Lacob never raise this issue. After the win tonight, if I'm Kerr, that's ALL I'm talking about. Just to send a message.
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Re: Let's Have An Honest Discussion About Steph's Whistle 

Post#4 » by Romulus » Wed Apr 2, 2025 6:00 am

Jokic had 24 free throws tonight. Good god.
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Re: Let's Have An Honest Discussion About Steph's Whistle 

Post#5 » by Old_Blue » Wed Apr 2, 2025 6:17 am

Sadly, I think someone decided fairly early on that - were Steph to actually have a fair whistle - he would essentially break the game even more than he already has. I'll never forget hearing Adam Silver refer to the Warriors "novel offense" after they won their first ring. At the time, it struck me as an odd choice of words. You can only imagine the discussions that went on at NBA headquarters as Steph rose to prominence...something to the effect of "This kid is, all by himself, going to create a competitive imbalance." This, despite the fact that the NBA has historically gone out of its way to creative a competitive imbalance in favor of the Lakers. I suppose that, in every family, there can only be one favorite child. :noway:
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Re: Let's Have An Honest Discussion About Steph's Whistle 

Post#6 » by marthafokker » Wed Apr 2, 2025 6:41 am

Steph got tackled in the playoff with no call.... that's Curry in a nutshell... AD tackled him after a game tying 3 pt shot. Refs think Curry plays in the NFL.

Not only no calls. He gets shots waived off on continuations too.... while other players can dribble with a few more steps for and one.

And don't get me started on that flop call when he got hit a few years back, that almost no stars get flop calls for.
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Re: Let's Have An Honest Discussion About Steph's Whistle 

Post#7 » by Romulus » Wed Apr 2, 2025 6:46 am

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Re: Let's Have An Honest Discussion About Steph's Whistle 

Post#8 » by WarriorGM » Wed Apr 2, 2025 7:21 am

One reason why any reservations I may have had in the past about placing him in greatest conversations evaporated.

There is only one plausible explanation: Jordan. Curry is the only player since who has a plausible case of surpassing Jordan and that is worth billions to Nike. LeBron's case is a red herring put out to muddle the issue. The campaign to marginalize Curry began in earnest after 2016. How any player who went unanimous could be spoken of as anything less than a perennial MVP and best player in the league candidate is outright bizarre. But media went overdrive trying to convince everyone that just about anyone else was in the same conversation: KD, Westbrook, Harden, Giannis, Lillard(!), etc.

In 2021 half the top 10 watched games were Warriors games despite the Dubs coming off a last place season. The Warriors are the most popular NBA team in the world and the most valuable NBA franchise. Look at Youtube videos and Curry's are consistently the most viewed among NBA players. Curry should be billed as the lead. But he was talked about like a supporting player. It makes no sense aside from the one given.
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Re: Let's Have An Honest Discussion About Steph's Whistle 

Post#9 » by Romulus » Wed Apr 2, 2025 8:05 am

WarriorGM wrote:One reason why any reservations I may have had in the past about placing him in greatest conversations evaporated.

There is only one plausible explanation: Jordan. Curry is the only player since who has a plausible case of surpassing Jordan and that is worth billions to Nike. LeBron's case is a red herring put out to muddle the issue. The campaign to marginalize Curry began in earnest after 2016. How any player who went unanimous could be spoken of as anything less than a perennial MVP and best player in the league candidate is outright bizarre.


Very interesting explanation. Apart from the lack of calls on the court, there unquestionably has been a smear campaign off the court as well. You know, when Iggy won finals MVP I was shocked it wasn't Curry. And what shocked me the most was that Curry didn't receive a single MVP vote. The bizarre "logic" from the press was that Iggy turned the series around with an outstanding defensive job on Lebron seemed puzzling because Lebron himself, playing on the losing team, received 4 MVP votes. Also keep in mind in one game Iggy missed 9 free throws alone in the 4th quarter which could have cost the Warriors the game and ultimately the series. And as time went on, Curry NOT winning that MVP was absolutely used against him.

The Jordan angle and Curry being a threat to the Nike empire is worth considering for sure. I don't think anyone who saw Jordan question his greatness or what he achieved. A remarkable career. And a guy -- like Curry -- who didn't have to change teams to achieve greatness. But imagine also the league doesn't suspend Draymond Green (when a foul wasn't even called on the play during the game) and the Warriors win that title (and lay claim to the best team of all-time with the best regular season of all-time). THAT certainly is a threat to Jordan's Bulls, right?

Interesting. Something's going on here. Connecting the dots and putting the puzzle pieces together and actually seeing the big picture? Well, it's not easy. But behind it all, even for the casual fan, there seems nefarious intent.
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Re: Let's Have An Honest Discussion About Steph's Whistle 

Post#10 » by EvanZ » Wed Apr 2, 2025 1:14 pm

This is like a Fitz convention. Relax felllas.
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Re: Let's Have An Honest Discussion About Steph's Whistle 

Post#11 » by Onus » Wed Apr 2, 2025 3:01 pm

Talking about the refs, how did Jimmy get an offensive foul for jumping into someone on a jumper when Ja did the same thing and got an and 1?
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Re: Let's Have An Honest Discussion About Steph's Whistle 

Post#12 » by Upperclass » Thu Apr 3, 2025 3:32 am

Debate how the league markets Lebron at 4 chips vs Steph at 4 chips.. How Tatum made an olympic team that may be considered the best of all time. The most recent finals MVP did not. Debate how the league promoted Luka pre-Lakers vs Jokic.

But also fwiw Kyrie who plays a similar style averages the same amount of Free Throws generally, as does Jamal Murray.
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Re: Let's Have An Honest Discussion About Steph's Whistle 

Post#13 » by SpreeS » Thu Apr 3, 2025 5:18 am

To sell fouls is a skill. Some players has this skill, others don’t.
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Re: Let's Have An Honest Discussion About Steph's Whistle 

Post#14 » by Old_Blue » Thu Apr 3, 2025 5:22 am

SpreeS wrote:To sell fouls is a skill. Some players has this skill, others don’t.


Being a whiny bitch isn't a "skill." It's just being a whiny bitch.
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Re: Let's Have An Honest Discussion About Steph's Whistle 

Post#15 » by SpreeS » Thu Apr 3, 2025 5:33 am

Old_Blue wrote:
SpreeS wrote:To sell fouls is a skill. Some players has this skill, others don’t.


Being a whiny bitch isn't a "skill." It's just being a whiny bitch.


Look where are two different things in selling fouls

1. Bad one - exp Harden, who hunts for contacts (fouls) to sell them.

2. Good one - Jokic, who sells defenders initiated contacts as a foul.

Some players are in the middle like Butler or Shai. Ofc is Lebron in own class, who does anything special, but gets allstar calls.
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Re: Let's Have An Honest Discussion About Steph's Whistle 

Post#16 » by superunknown » Thu Apr 3, 2025 2:43 pm

anyway it's utter ridiculous:

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Re: Let's Have An Honest Discussion About Steph's Whistle 

Post#17 » by Onus » Thu Apr 3, 2025 3:25 pm

superunknown wrote:anyway it's utter ridiculous:

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I don't even want super star calls. I just want regular nba scrub calls. There is no other shooter in the NBA that you can just run into and truck but since the shot is gone no call let alone slap their hand after a shot is gone. There is no other player you can just grab and hold 94 feet and not get a call.
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Re: Let's Have An Honest Discussion About Steph's Whistle 

Post#18 » by ILOVEIT » Thu Apr 3, 2025 3:28 pm

vvoland wrote:it's beyond 'interesting', at this point. It seems so misguided to give the superstar whistle to guys that grift for a living and aren't nearly as popular as the guy that's putting in 200 miles each game and is an idol to every kid who's not 6'8.

The nike or lebron thing seems too much of a conspiracy. Could it be the refs just hate him/kerr/lacob/warriors org? Are they punishing Dray for all his antics by giving Steph a terrible whistle?

If I had to guess, it'd be the fact that he doesn't complain much + trying to avoid contact to get a shot off, instead. If he sought out contact, maybe he'd get to the line more but he'd certainly spend more time on the IL. In either case, he needs to get 2 or 3 times as many calls as he gets, especially off-ball, where it seems like half the league is trying to impregnate the guy


Jimmy creates contact IN ORDER TO GET TO THE LINE.
Curry attempts to avoid contact to make the shot.

IF Curry deliberately drove over and over again into the chest of defenders....he'd go to the line just as much. He doesn't so....ta da. He would also be a better scorer in final moments of games (he's already great) if he SAUGHT OUT contact deliberately to get to the line with very little consideration on the made basket.
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Re: Let's Have An Honest Discussion About Steph's Whistle 

Post#19 » by Impuniti » Thu Apr 3, 2025 3:34 pm

He is the leader of UA and Nike is one of the main corporate overlords in the NBA. That's all there is to it. Had he signed with Nike, he would have had a much better whistle throughout his career.

Add another aspect where he and Dray at times taunt the refs, and the team is winning/super cocky, and you get an overall distain/dislike by the refs.
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Re: Let's Have An Honest Discussion About Steph's Whistle 

Post#20 » by Warriors Analyst » Thu Apr 3, 2025 4:20 pm

The league would be in a better place if every star player's whistle more closely resembled Steph's. Of course, players should be protected on drives to the hoop and it makes me nervous to see Steph get knocked to the ground on drives. Those should be fouls. But I'd much rather see the league allow a more loose whistle for other star guards than I would Steph get the SGA whistle. The new generation of stars would be far less aggravating to watch if the league didn't reward their grifting.

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