Yaxel got his debut on the firing line. Kerr put him on their best player. This might bea recurring theme going forward. I am a huge Yax fan. However, there were at least 3 times that he was so close to his man that they were able to get a step around him. Once the defender is partially behind the man with the ball, he is in trouble. Yax only had 12. Missed too many free throws that he normally makes. IF he had made one more 3, he would have had a respectable 17 or18 points. Needs to get a few more 2 point scores near the hoop.
I agree witrh Stephen A that what Yax said about Luka was spot on. Right before Luka's half time shot, he purposely shoved Yax in the chest. No call. ??
I get it's impossible to be perfect officiating or doing anything in life but it's frustrating watching these refs fall for the oldest tricks in the book sometimes. Just because a guy doesn't want to fight through a (legal) screen and snaps his neck back doesn't mean it's a moving screen. Podz does this too so I'm not on anyone's side. It's even worse watching guys hook/jump into defenders that's in legal guarding position and getting bailed out with silly shooting fouls
Somehow, I had forgotten during the offseason how frustrating it is to watch the worst grifters in the NBA get rewarded. In that way, I suppose ball is life.
Stephen A. Smith: "Here’s why I’m supportive in what Yaxel is saying. He’s saying ‘if you’re so great, quit whining to the officials. Just go out there and bust my ass. But stop whining to the officials looking to them for help.’ I was really ticked off when that ref gave Yaxel that technical. I’m calling out the NBA."
Crazy thing is, I was looking at the fines/suspensions stats from last season and while Dray had a gazillion techs and his fine total ended up in the mid $50k range, JK was second on the team in total fines - not for any techs or ejections, but a single $35k fine for making physical contact with an official. I don't even remember what that was about - it But I can say for sure that Dray got his moneysworth by comparison 🤣
edit to add: now I look at the date and it was *before the regular season even started* - must have been from a preseason match
Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga fined $35K for actions toward official
Anthony Slater
Oct 16, 2025, 12:41 PM ET
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SAN FRANCISCO -- The NBA fined Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga $35,000 for the actions that led to his ejection late in the first half of a preseason win in Portland on Tuesday night.
Kuminga was upset after he didn't receive a whistle on a shot attempt with seven seconds left in the second quarter. Kuminga stumbled while attempting a barreling transition drive through two defenders, missed the layup and immediately went after nearby official Rodney Mott, clapping in Mott's face. Mott ejected Kuminga.
Two days later, the league fined Kuminga for "making inappropriate contact with and continuing to pursue a game official."
After the game, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said he "kind of liked [the ejection], actually" because he has been searching for some extra fire from Kuminga.
"He got fouled," Kerr said. "It was a frustration play. I have no problem with it. He deserved the foul. He was getting fouled quite a bit. It was a physical game."
Yaxel got his debut on the firing line. Kerr put him on their best player. This might bea recurring theme going forward. I am a huge Yax fan. However, there were at least 3 times that he was so close to his man that they were able to get a step around him. Once the defender is partially behind the man with the ball, he is in trouble. Yax only had 12. Missed too many free throws that he normally makes. IF he had made one more 3, he would have had a respectable 17 or18 points. Needs to get a few more 2 point scores near the hoop.
I agree witrh Stephen A that what Yax said about Luka was spot on. Right before Luka's half time shot, he purposely shoved Yax in the chest. No call. ??
I get it's impossible to be perfect officiating or doing anything in life but it's frustrating watching these refs fall for the oldest tricks in the book sometimes. Just because a guy doesn't want to fight through a (legal) screen and snaps his neck back doesn't mean it's a moving screen. Podz does this too so I'm not on anyone's side. It's even worse watching guys hook/jump into defenders that's in legal guarding position and getting bailed out with silly shooting fouls
Somehow, I had forgotten during the offseason how frustrating it is to watch the worst grifters in the NBA get rewarded. In that way, I suppose ball is life.
Putrid day yesterday for Bay Area Basketball. Luka sucks. Hope the Dubs do better on Friday
It almost feels like Steve was pushing Yax to get his welcome to the NBA moment early yesterday lol. Gotta grow up quick this year.
Stephen A. Smith: "Here’s why I’m supportive in what Yaxel is saying. He’s saying ‘if you’re so great, quit whining to the officials. Just go out there and bust my ass. But stop whining to the officials looking to them for help.’ I was really ticked off when that ref gave Yaxel that technical. I’m calling out the NBA."
https://www.reddit.com/r/warriors/comments/1xclcwd/heres_why_im_supportive_in_what_yaxel_is_saying/
A broken clock is right twice per day.
Now I gotta wonder who will get more techs this year - Yax or Draymond??
I'm here for it
entertainment for sure - maybe the Dubs have an inside bet going!
Crazy thing is, I was looking at the fines/suspensions stats from last season and while Dray had a gazillion techs and his fine total ended up in the mid $50k range, JK was second on the team in total fines - not for any techs or ejections, but a single $35k fine for making physical contact with an official. I don't even remember what that was about - it But I can say for sure that Dray got his moneysworth by comparison 🤣
edit to add: now I look at the date and it was *before the regular season even started* - must have been from a preseason match
Pre Season game last year.
Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga fined $35K for actions toward official
Anthony Slater
Oct 16, 2025, 12:41 PM ET
Share
SAN FRANCISCO -- The NBA fined Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga $35,000 for the actions that led to his ejection late in the first half of a preseason win in Portland on Tuesday night.
Kuminga was upset after he didn't receive a whistle on a shot attempt with seven seconds left in the second quarter. Kuminga stumbled while attempting a barreling transition drive through two defenders, missed the layup and immediately went after nearby official Rodney Mott, clapping in Mott's face. Mott ejected Kuminga.
Two days later, the league fined Kuminga for "making inappropriate contact with and continuing to pursue a game official."
After the game, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said he "kind of liked [the ejection], actually" because he has been searching for some extra fire from Kuminga.
"He got fouled," Kerr said. "It was a frustration play. I have no problem with it. He deserved the foul. He was getting fouled quite a bit. It was a physical game."
Wow Slater wrote a whole article about it lol (well, not a full-on article, but it has a dateline, so I count that)
now that is reminding me of how "newsworthy" anything about JK was last October
Yaxel and Steph made the game highly entertaining - rest of the team, oof!