Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry took a moment to throw playful shade on Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick amidst a feisty Christmas Day clash.
During a stoppage in the first half, Curry, flanked by Warriors teammate Draymond Green, asked the rookie coach a question: “How many techs have you got this year?”
Redick initially didn’t hear the legendary point guard’s question, prompting Curry to ask again. Redick then caught on and issued a short reply. “Oh, just one,” Redick said.
Redick’s sole technical came in November against the New Orleans Pelicans after the Lakers coach disagreed with a no-call. However, he racked up a fair few technical fouls as a player. Redick was penalized 41 times during his playing career, and he also had two flagrants and three ejections.
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Technical fouls come with a hefty escalating penalty. For the first five, a $2,000 penalty is issued. A further five, then the fine jumps up to $3,000, and so on. A 16th technical foul carries a $5,000 penalty and triggers an automatic one-game suspension.
Curry asking Redick about technical fouls with Green by his side was ironic. Green has 163 technical fouls in his NBA career, and he has also been suspended three times and has paid an astonishing $1,260,100 in fines.
It’s something Curry has tried to address with Green and his Golden State teammates, though. In March of the 2023/24 season, Green was ejected from a game four minutes into play against the Orlando Magic for arguing with an official. “We need him. He knows that. We all know that,” Curry said of Green.
“So whatever we need to do to keep him on the floor and be available, that’s what’s got to happen. Especially at this point in the year. It was a tough way to start the game.”
The Lakers went on to win the Christmas Day affair over their rivals 115-113. Curry managed 38 points, while fellow NBA great LeBron James of the Lakers scored 31. Austin Reaves scored a dramatic layup to win the game with one second left on the clock.
The defeat has left the Warriors tasting defeat in 11 of their last 14 games. Nonetheless, Curry has faith that the franchise can turn its season around and make the NBA playoffs. “I still have hope and faith and confidence that we can figure it out. That’s how I’m built,” he said after the loss. The 15-14 Warriors sit 10th in the West despite Curry averaging 22.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 44.4% from the field and 41.1% from the three-point range.
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