**Alperen Şengün Calls Out Golden State Warriors for ‘Crying All Series’ About Fouls in Playoffs**
The NBA playoffs are known for their intensity, physicality, and high-stakes drama, but they also often bring out the frustrations of players and teams when calls don’t go their way. This postseason, Houston Rockets’ rising star Alperen Şengün didn’t hold back in his criticism of the Golden State Warriors, accusing them of hypocrisy when it came to officiating. After a hard-fought series, Şengün called out the Warriors for their constant complaints, stating, *”They’re a very experienced team, and they fouled a lot. In the playoffs, they don’t call it. But they were the ones crying all series about fouls not being called.”*
Şengün’s comments sparked a heated debate among fans and analysts, reigniting discussions about the Warriors’ long-standing reputation for physical defense—and their tendency to voice their displeasure when the whistle doesn’t favor them. His remarks also highlighted a broader issue in the NBA: the fine line between playoff physicality and fouls that go uncalled, and how veteran teams often use their experience to manipulate the game’s flow.
Golden State has built a dynasty on elite shooting, ball movement, and suffocating defense. Over the years, players like Draymond Green have been lauded for their defensive intensity, but they’ve also been criticized for pushing the boundaries of physical play. Green, in particular, is known for his aggressive style, often walking the line between hard-nosed defense and foul-worthy contact. Yet, despite their own physicality, the Warriors have never been shy about arguing with referees when they feel calls aren’t going their way.
This duality is what Şengün seemed to take issue with. The young Rockets center, who has quickly developed a reputation for his high-IQ play and toughness in the paint, pointed out the Warriors’ tendency to both commit fouls and then complain when similar contact wasn’t called in their favor. *”They know how to play the game, they know how to get away with things,”* Şengün added. *”But then when it happens to them, they act like it’s unfair.”*
Şengün’s comments also bring up the larger conversation about how playoff basketball is officiated differently from the regular season. The NBA has long been criticized for its inconsistent whistle in the postseason, where star players often get more leeway, and physical play is more tolerated. This shift can benefit veteran teams like the Warriors, who understand how to exploit the looser officiating.
However, Şengün’s argument suggests that Golden State has mastered the art of both benefiting from and protesting the lack of calls. Throughout the series, Warriors players and coaches were visibly frustrated by what they perceived as missed fouls on their end, particularly when Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson were tightly guarded. Yet, on the other end, their own defenders—especially Green and Andrew Wiggins—were frequently handsy, using their physicality to disrupt opponents without always being penalized.
This perceived double standard is something many young players and teams have struggled with when facing the Warriors in the playoffs. The Rockets, a team in the middle of a rebuild, found themselves on the wrong end of several no-calls, which only amplified Şengün’s frustration. His willingness to speak out reflects a growing sentiment among younger players who feel that established stars and championship-tested teams often receive preferential treatment from officials.
Beyond the X’s and O’s, playoff basketball is a mental battle. Teams like the Warriors, with their championship pedigree, understand how to get into opponents’ heads—not just through their play but also through their interactions with referees. Constant complaining, whether justified or not, can influence future calls, creating an psychological edge.
Şengün’s remarks indicate that he noticed this tactic. *”They talk to the refs all game,”* he said. *”They know what they’re doing. They want every call, but they don’t want the same rules applied to them.”* This observation isn’t unique to Golden State—many elite teams employ similar strategies—but the Warriors’ success and visibility make them a prime target for criticism.
While Şengün’s comments were directed at the Warriors, they also underscored his own growth as a leader for the Rockets. At just 21 years old, the Turkish big man has already become one of Houston’s most vocal and competitive players. His willingness to call out an established powerhouse like Golden State shows a level of confidence and defiance that the Rockets will need as they continue their rise in the Western Conference.
Houston’s playoff series against the Warriors, though ultimately ending in a loss, was a valuable learning experience for their young core. Facing a team with four championships in the past decade forced the Rockets to adapt to the heightened intensity of playoff basketball. Şengün’s remarks suggest that while he respects the Warriors’ experience, he isn’t intimidated by their reputation.
Şengün’s comments predictably stirred strong reactions. Warriors fans defended their team, arguing that every squad complains to referees and that Golden State’s physicality is simply playoff basketball. Others, however, agreed with Şengün, pointing to past instances where the Warriors seemed to receive favorable officiating—or at least more leeway to argue calls.
Analysts were divided. Some praised Şengün for speaking his mind and bringing attention to the inconsistencies in playoff officiating. Others cautioned that his words could add fuel to a growing rivalry, potentially making future matchups even more contentious.
Alperen Şengün’s bold criticism of the Warriors may just be the beginning of a new chapter in NBA rivalries. As the Rockets continue to improve, their clashes with Golden State could become must-watch games—not just for the on-court action but for the mind games and verbal jabs that come with it.
His accusation that the Warriors were *”crying all series”* about fouls while committing plenty of their own is a reminder that playoff basketball isn’t just about skill—it’s about endurance, adaptability, and, sometimes, working the officials. Whether or not Şengün’s comments will lead to any changes in how Golden State is officiated remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the young center isn’t afraid to challenge the NBA’s established hierarchy.
As the league evolves and new stars rise, voices like Şengün’s will continue to push back against the old guard. And if his performance on the court matches his outspokenness, the Warriors—and the rest of the NBA—will have no choice but to listen.
