Steve Kerr Caught on Hot Mic Criticizing NBA Officiating in Lakers Loss

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was captured on a hot mic expressing frustration with the officiating during his team's 127-105 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the season opener. Kerr was heard telling rookie Yaxel Lendeborg during the third quarter that the Lakers were receiving preferential treatment from the referees.

"[It’s] the bulls–t in the NBA. They call all that s–t here, they wouldn’t call it in any other arena," Kerr was audible saying on the ESPN broadcast, a comment that quickly gained traction on social media with a clip garnering over 450,000 views.

Despite Kerr's remarks, game statistics indicated that the Lakers were actually called for more fouls than the Warriors, with 25 fouls against Golden State's 19. Both teams also took an equal number of free throws, with 27 attempts each.

The focus of Kerr's apparent frustration seemed to be Lakers superstar Luka Doncic, who was frequently guarded by Lendeborg. Doncic was responsible for nine of the Lakers' 27 free throws and finished the game as the leading scorer with 28 points.

Kerr's comments suggest a belief that the Lakers benefited from a home-court whistle, a common perception in sports. The Warriors will look to a more favorable officiating standard when they host the Memphis Grizzlies in their next game.