Warriors bash Utah writer after tweets about locker room

The Warriors beat the Jazz on Monday. Utah played reasonably well, but Golden State is 19-0 for a reason.

Though it was an entertaining game, the biggest drama occurred afterward.

Ben Dowsett of Salt City Hoops and Basketball Insiders:

Can I be honest about something? I expected just a little more respect thrown the Jazz's way from GSW's locker room than what actually came.

— Ben Dowsett (@Ben_Dowsett) December 1, 2015

Beyond Ian Clark, who might have more reason for frustration with Utah than anyone in there, lot of shrugs and chuckles on Jazz questions.

— Ben Dowsett (@Ben_Dowsett) December 1, 2015

Example: Draymond and Steph next to a TV showing Root Sports, with a tweet up about how the Jazz are playing "like champions", or close.

— Ben Dowsett (@Ben_Dowsett) December 1, 2015

Obv. a fan tweet, clearly. But both started laughing at it like it was the funniest thing they'd every seen. Dray yells "F**k that!"

— Ben Dowsett (@Ben_Dowsett) December 1, 2015

Both downplayed questions on Utah, and Steph straight up laughed at Utah's switch on his big 3 at the end. I just didn't expect that.

— Ben Dowsett (@Ben_Dowsett) December 1, 2015

Listen, these guys are entitled to every bit of ego they want at this point. It was just surprising to me.

— Ben Dowsett (@Ben_Dowsett) December 1, 2015

Again, this isn't close to sour grapes. Those guys have earned this. Just esp. in Steph's case, it's not what you expect is all.

— Ben Dowsett (@Ben_Dowsett) December 1, 2015

Carter Williams of the Deseret News refuted Dowsett’s account:

@andyblarsen I was there when this happened. A little bit of dramatic rendition of it. Steph wasn't there and Dray kinda muttered that

— Carter Williams (@cwilliamsKSL) December 1, 2015

But Dowsett held his ground:

@andyblarsen @cwilliamsDN Sorry, just not true. Steph pointed to the tweet, then Dray burst laughing and, at minimum, exclaimed loudly.

— Ben Dowsett (@Ben_Dowsett) December 1, 2015

At least on the TV-tweet anecdote:

Mea culpa: I misheard Steph's quote RE Jazz switches. Wasn't laughing at it. Doesn't change my overall point, but should be said.

— Ben Dowsett (@Ben_Dowsett) December 1, 2015

To be very clear, I misheard a quote RE switches. I did NOT mishear (or mis-see) the story I told RE Dray and the TV.

— Ben Dowsett (@Ben_Dowsett) December 1, 2015

I also did not mishear any of the other quotes or general downplays I'm talking about. My (VERY respectful) point has not changed, nor will.

— Ben Dowsett (@Ben_Dowsett) December 1, 2015

Rudy Gobert saw the tweets:

Man what a game...tough loss but im sure about one thing, i see GREATNESS in our future. #laughwhileyoucan #OnToTheNextOne

— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) December 1, 2015

But the Warriors ESPECIALLY saw the tweets.

Draymond Green chimed in:

Yo @ben_dowsett why you lying bruh? Trying to make your name bigger off lying? Want more importance? Report something worthwhile & true!

— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) December 1, 2015

You mad corny dude and media privileges should be revoked coward @ben_dowsett

— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) December 1, 2015

But there you go... I just helped get you some attention @ben_dowsett

— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) December 1, 2015

I get along with just about all the media very well... But, the NBA need to tighten up on who get a credentials to the locker room!!!

— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) December 1, 2015

So did Curry:

Hey @Ben_Dowsett….that’s a personal foul………..“REACHING” pic.twitter.com/eM8FbOL4Mr

— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) December 1, 2015

And Andrew Bogut:

Green expanded on a radio interview, as transcribed by CSN Bay Area:

“Looking at my Twitter blowing up, you had credible websites and credible publications tweeting that we were disrespecting them (the Jazz). And if you watched any of our interviews, we gave them all the credit in the world,” Green said. “They deserved it. Number one -- don’t tweet out what we are doing in our locker room if you aren’t interviewing us. That’s number one. Number two -- don’t lie and try to make it out like we are doing something that we’re not.”

There are a lot of layers to this.

1. I found Dowsett – good writer overall – to be a little sanctimonious with his surprise. The Jazz, even after their strong second half last season, are just 8-8. There’s little surprising about another team, especially one as successful as Golden State, not rushing to praise them.

2. That said, there’s nothing wrong with Dowsett tweeting the TV-tweet anecdote if he’s certain it’s accurate. What happens in a locker room while the media is present is not off the record. Players should realize that and act accordingly.

3. I’m always leery of writing about moments like that, because it’s so difficult to be certain I understand the context. Another reporter questioning Dowsett’s re-telling raises questions. So does Dowsett’s admission that he mischaracterized Curry’s laughter. As does Green’s denial. Green and Curry are around each other so much. A reporter swooping in might not fully understand their communication.

4. There is an upside to Dowsett revealing what Green said. The best writers show, don’t tell. It’s easy to say the Warriors didn’t respect the Jazz. It’s more effective to show how the Warriors didn’t respect the Jazz, and this anecdote does that. It sets a memorable scene, one readers will remember.

5 There’s also a downside to Dowsett sharing this story – even if he’s absolutely certain it’s accurate. Players dislike having their locker-room conversations made public. Many reporters would keep that moment to themselves in order to preserve relationships and prevent controversy. But make no mistake: Dowsett’s choice was strategic, not ethical. He had every right to share what he saw and heard if it’s accurate, which he maintains it s.

6. The idea that the Jazz are playing like champions is laughable.