Warriors coach Steve Kerr was adamant during and after Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals that Dillon Brooks' hard foul on Gary Payton II was a "dirty" play.
But is Brooks a "dirty" player?
Former Warriors center Zaza Pachulia doesn't like using that label.
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"When you play hard for 48 minutes and every possession, especially in playoffs, sometimes it's getting out of control," Pachulia, now a consultant for the Golden State, said during "Warriors Live: Playoff Edition" on NBC Sports Bay Area before Game 4 on Monday night. "I don't think it's fair to call someone dirty when you play hard. That's what Brooks is in my opinion. Even in regular season games, he plays hard."
Brooks was assessed a Flagrant Foul Penalty 2, ejected just three minutes into Game 2 and later suspended for Game 3. Payton fell hard and was diagnosed with a fractured elbow and ligament damage. The Warriors haven't ruled him out for the remainder of the playoffs, should they advance into late May or June, but the 29-year-old guard will miss at least a few weeks.
Kerr did an in-game interview with TNT following the first quarter of Game 2 and said the play was "dirty." After the Warriors' 106-101 loss, he doubled down by saying that while Brooks might not have intended to hurt Payton, the play still was "dirty." Kerr also said Brooks "broke the code" by hitting a player in mid-air.
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Two days later, Kerr threw more shade at Brooks but Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins defended his team against the narrative that they are a "dirty" team.
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Brooks finally spoke to the media Monday, acknowledging that he wishes he could take back the play on Payton.
Whether or not Brooks actually is a "dirty" player, the Warriors and Dub Nation aren't fond of him right now. The Grizzlies' guard was booed loudly during pregame introductions before Game 4.