It’s hard to be a referee in any sport. Never will a referee make both sides happy, or will he leave the game labeled as a hero. Whichever call you make as an official, one team will be unhappy. That’s just the life of a referee, it’s not pretty, but someone has to do it.

The Warriors were in control for most of the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, but squandered a double digit lead in the fourth quarter to give the Dubs their fifth loss of the season.

The Warriors had an opportunity to win the game in the final seconds, but Durant lost his balance after coming in contact with Richard Jefferson. Many believed Durant was fouled on that final play and it turns out they were right. The NBA released a statement the following day admitting that there should have been a foul called against Jefferson with the time winding down.

The NBA admitting there was a blown call does nothing for the outcome of the game and one particular Warrior feels there is no need to comment on blown calls after the game. According to Anthony Slater of the Bay Area News Group, Durant feels the NBA shouldn’t be throwing their referees under the bus:

Usually players are fined for criticizing the referees, but in this case Durant is coming to their defense and that’s saying a lot considering he didn’t get a shot off in the final seconds because he was indeed fouled. Durant makes a valid point, the referees already have a hard enough job as it is, why publicly state that the referees blew a call?

As loyal fans, we sometimes lose sight that these officials are human beings and not machines. They are not perfect, they will miss some calls, but they are the best in the business. Durant recognizes that and comes to their defense. Durant himself has been criticized in the past for his attitude and responses towards the media, but in this case he deserves to be applauded. Nobody ever stands up for the refs, but he did.

We will see how the NBA responds to his comments, but hopefully they will listen.