Who's playin’ dirty?

Though there is no specific rule changes to back up the sentiment, the fact is, basketball changes a lot during the post-season. What may have been a foul in the regular season can often times be overlooked during the playoffs, and the intensity of each and every player seems to rise with building momentum of the championship chase.

Though this leads to better basketball, it can also lead to flaring tempers and players getting a bit more aggressive and a bit more physical than during the regular season. This seems to be the case in the first round match up between the Denver Nuggets and the Golden State Warriors.

According to the head coach of the Warriors, Mark Jackson, the Nuggets,”…tried to send hit men at Steph.” While Jackson believes that hard playing is to be expected because, “it’s playoff basketball. It’s all right,” he did have choice words in regards to the hard play of the Nuggets, specifically Kenneth Faried. Jackson said that Faried, “...set some great screens and some great illegal one, too,” followed by talking about players who got “paid,” to play dirty.

Though Jackson believes the Nuggets are the ones playing dirty in the series, Denver’s savior in game five, Andre Iguodala, begs to differ. His belief is that "…[the Warriors] kind of brought the physicality to the series. And we stopped being the receivers and we’re starting to hit back a little bit.” Though Iggy will admit to tough play, he does draw the line at cheap shots and dirty defense. He went on to state that, “But as far as anybody trying to cheap shot, I don’t condone that myself. It’s not my game.”

Whatever is the case with the Nuggets and Warriors series, Denver have their backs against the wall as game six is set for Thursday in the Mile High City. The Warriors have the advantage with a 3-2 lead, but the Nuggets have the momentum with the best home record in basketball. Will the Warriors be able to pull off the series upset, or will the Nuggets rally to keep their playoff hopes alive?

Photo courtesy of the Score