We’re about two weeks into the 2024-25 season, and we simply had probably the most chaotic NBA weekends … ever? There have been a bunch of kerfuffles, quite a lot of drama, groups surging, groups spiraling and a participant allegedly pushed a reporter within the locker room. Once we determined to do that NBA Rewind after each weekend, I puzzled if we’d have sufficient materials for it early on. After this weekend, I’m questioning if this must be a every day, probably even hourly, article. Right here’s your newest NBA Rewind!
Huge Weekend of Beefs
Usually, we begin this Monday submit by giving the prolonged Inventory Report from The Bounce e-newsletter. And by usually, I imply we’ve completed certainly one of these articles earlier than this one, and that’s the system we had. Nevertheless, there have been so many beefs and brief tempers this weekend that it’s value doing a rundown of all the things occurring. From Joel Embiid pushing a journalist to your customary in-game tussles, let’s undergo every one and let you know what it is advisable know.
Joel Embiid allegedly pushes a Philadelphia journalist
This was the most important story from the weekend within the NBA. It might need been the most important story in sports activities from the weekend, and it dominated Saturday evening and an excellent chunk of soccer Sunday. Following a extremely important article by Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes, Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid confronted Hayes within the locker room after a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Embiid has not performed but this season within the Sixers’ 1-4 begin. In truth, he’s missed roughly 45 % of his 801 regular-season video games in his profession. Hayes’ article was harsh in how he questioned Embiid’s dedication to the group. Embiid responded passionately and angrily in a information convention on Friday. So, why did it escalate on Saturday?
The article’s authentic lede referenced Embiid’s son, who is called after Embiid’s lifeless brother, Arthur. Hayes talked about each relations as a solution to launch right into a criticism of Embiid’s absence and never displaying as much as work. When Hayes and Embiid had been within the locker room collectively after Saturday’s sport, Embiid determined to have it out with Hayes, whom he beforehand criticized for not being at practices and across the group. Hayes was not there on Friday when Embiid had his information convention. What occurred precisely, although?
That is what we all know, due to some reporting from varied shops:
- Embiid confronted Hayes as soon as he was conscious he was within the locker room following the sport, by way of Kyle Neubeck.
- There was quite a lot of profanity being thrown round, and Embiid mentioned, “The subsequent time you carry up my lifeless brother and my son once more, you will see what I’m going to do to you, and I’m going to should … stay with the results.”
- Hayes supplied an apology, and Embiid refused it.
- Embiid mentioned he doesn’t care what the media says about him, to which Hayes replied, “However you do,” per the Related Press.
- Embiid then pushed Hayes’ shoulder, and Sixers group PR employees stepped between them.
- A group safety individual requested media within the locker room to not report on what occurred. Embiid mentioned he didn’t care in the event that they did.
- The NBA has launched an investigation. Philadelphia president of basketball ops Daryl Morey mentioned the group has spoken to the NBA.
It’s secure to say the NBA will take this very critically. Verbal confrontations occur between media and gamers, coaches, executives, and so forth. when criticism is levied. Generally, it’s labored out, and it creates a everlasting divide in different situations. Media shops are going to need the league to verify this doesn’t occur once more so their work surroundings is secure. Gamers aren’t going to simply accept lifeless relations and youngsters getting used as fodder for no matter agenda (truthful or foul) is being pushed — nor ought to they. That’s method out of bounds and shouldn’t be accepted. What sort of suspension/penalty may Embiid face? Extra about that beneath!
Drake, DeMar DeRozan change phrases and whispers
There was one thing cool occurring in Toronto Saturday evening! Vince Carter turned the primary Toronto Raptor to have their jersey retired. It was an emotional evening and a really spectacular ceremony by the Raptors group. We additionally noticed the best retired jersey banner of all time. Sadly, the web solely centered on that for just a few moments.
GO DEEPER
Vince Carter’s Toronto Raptors jersey retirement had one thing most do not — catharsis
Why? Drake determined to make the evening about his beef with former Raptor star DeMar DeRozan, who performed in opposition to Toronto as a member of the Sacramento Kings. How did he do this? Drake was sitting courtside, as he usually does. He’s a Raptors fan when it’s handy to be, he’s arguably the most important superstar in Canada, and he’s the group’s International Ambassador, which is form of a pretend title. Drake additionally joined the Raptors tv broadcast, as is pressured upon the viewers a pair occasions a yr.
DeMar DeRozan and Drake, throughout happier occasions in 2015. (Vaughn Ridley / Getty Photos)
That is the rundown of why this escalated to Saturday evening:
- Drake had a rap beef with Kendrick Lamar earlier this yr and acquired cooked in a historic method.
- One in all Kendrick’s diss tracks about Drake, “Not Like Us,” referenced fellow Compton native DeRozan. DeRozan additionally appeared within the music video for the music and at a pop-up live performance shortly after.
- The Raptors broadcast had Drake on throughout the Kings-Raptors sport. He claimed he’d pull down a DeRozan banner if it’s put up. He referred to as DeRozan a “goof.”
- Drake was additionally fairly lecherous towards Canadian entertainer Jessie Reyez on the printed and “joked” he’d had sufficient to drink when he thought they had been going to industrial due to him.
- DeRozan responded after the sport by saying Drake must climb very excessive to take down a banner.
It sucks that Carter’s evening was overshadowed by a rapper who has had a tough 2024. Drake additionally muttered some alternative phrases beneath his breath when DeRozan was close to him as the sport led to a Raptors victory. It’s very Drake that he took a loss in yet one more beef.
Rudy Gobert, Russell Westbrook practically get into it
Through the Minnesota Timberwolves’ victory over the Denver Nuggets Friday evening, we noticed a fairly epic throwdown by Christian Braun on Rudy Gobert. It wasn’t fairly the identical elevation off contact we noticed from Tom Chambers on Mark Jackson a long time in the past, however you possibly can see a bit raise because the our bodies collide earlier than Braun’s two-handed dunk. It’s a vicious slam, adopted by a little bit of a taunt as Braun walked into Gobert’s area. Gobert then grabbed Braun across the neck earlier than shifting him apart.
Christian Braun dunks throughout Rudy Gobert who took exception to the taunt, throws Braun away and issues get saucy pic.twitter.com/gUnCg6mWyi
— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) November 2, 2024
Nothing large there, however did you discover the top of the clip? Russell Westbrook, who has a historical past of attempting to humiliate Gobert through the years, ran as much as defend his new teammate. Go watch it once more, and see the response from Gobert when he notices Westbrook run up on him. There’s a real look of concern or shock within the second. It’s enjoyable for a lot of to think about that Gobert is afraid of Westbrook and that’s why he appeared scared. You possibly can additionally infer that Gobert didn’t discover Westbrook till the final cut up second and it shocked him so much. Both method, followers on the web had quite a lot of enjoyable at Gobert’s expense, as they’re wont to do.
Grant Williams and Jayson Tatum are … mates?
Former Boston Celtic and present Charlotte Hornet Grant Williams had a weird reunion along with his former teammates. In a baseball-style sequence with Boston in Charlotte for 2 straight video games this weekend, Williams had a large collision within the first sport with Jayson Tatum. As Tatum was dribbling up the courtroom, Williams simply barreled into him for no motive. It was assessed a flagrant-2.
grant williams flagrant 2 on jayson tatum pic.twitter.com/cTGZV7es75
— ◇ (@HOODH3RO) November 2, 2024
That’s not a basketball play within the slightest. I’m not the most important hockeyman both, however I doubt that’s even a hockey play! Williams reportedly wore his welcome fairly skinny in his temporary stretch with the Dallas Mavericks. The Celtics seem to love Williams greater than that, however there was a bizarre sequence of non-basketball moments Williams had of their two video games in opposition to one another that simply regarded odd. He was ejected after the hip-check after which acquired lit up within the subsequent sport in opposition to Boston. Price it?
Jaden McDaniels and Jeremy Sochan tussle
Most weeks, this is able to in all probability be the meat of the weekend, however this gorgeous heated second between Wolves wing Jaden McDaniels and San Antonio Spurs ahead Jeremy Sochan barely registers when in comparison with the others. Sochan pulled down McDaniels on the unfastened ball and was instantly grabbed by the jersey as they went face-to-face. I’m unsure what McDaniels mentioned to Sochan, but it surely regarded like he meant it.
Jaden McDaniels vs. Jeremy Sochan pic.twitter.com/TfXMvVwBEQ
— Timberwolves Clips (@WolvesClips) November 3, 2024
This got here after a play earlier during which Sochan tried to attract by a foul dribbling up the ground and stopping abruptly in entrance of McDaniels. The Wolves’ wing took exception to that however may relaxation simple with it being referred to as an offensive foul. McDaniels acquired very aggressive after Sochan pulled him down on the rebound try. The enjoyable half about this was watching the Spurs broadcast, seeing it discover the preliminary pull down within the replay after which saying that there was a bit tug on the jersey.
Inventory Report Prolonged
We’re into Week 2 for our NBA Inventory Report back to let you recognize who’s heading in the correct and flawed instructions. Just about your complete Pacific Division may very well be on the best way up proper now (sure, even the Clippers!), however we’ll attempt to unfold the love. The negativity will principally be saturated with the accidents we hate a lot.
📈 Golden State Warriors (5-1): Steph Curry went down with an ankle harm, and we anticipated the Warriors to falter whereas he’s out. They’re thriving! They’re taking part in bizarre ball, and it’s working, even after they blow a 31-point result in Houston. The Warriors’ protection has been particular, and their offense is getting by with sluggish Kyle Anderson floaters, Buddy Hield wanting like Klay Thompson and Brandin Podziemski post-ups. All of this whereas Jonathan Kuminga has taken the demotion to coming off the bench by scoring and capturing lights out.
📉 Orlando Magic (3-4): The Paolo Banchero harm places quite a lot of chilly water on the Magic for the close to future. They hung robust in opposition to Cleveland after which acquired smacked by Dallas. I merely don’t understand how they’re going to attain constantly with out Banchero. In fact, there’s the mantra each coach employs throughout a star harm, which is “subsequent man up.” The Magic don’t have anyone to interchange what Banchero does, although. They will make video games ugly with protection, however this may very well be a extremely dangerous stretch for them.
📈 Sacramento Kings: (3-3): Sure, they misplaced to Toronto in time beyond regulation, however the Kings have regarded good this previous week. The trio of DeRozan, De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis is clicking. Fox is taking part in with a damage finger that hasn’t absolutely healed but. To date, the Kings have returned to having a extremely productive offense, and their defensive enhancements from the second half of final season have principally stayed. They only went 3-1 and may have gone 4-0.
📉 Milwaukee Bucks (1-5): The sky is falling? The Bucks proceed to battle, having misplaced to Boston, Memphis and Cleveland. You may justify these losses. They will’t defend anyone. You may’t justify that. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are taking part in properly. And it doesn’t matter but. Khris Middleton hasn’t come again but, however not even the All-Star and champion could be the distinction between them being good and them being abysmal. My favourite present cockamamie idea is Doc Rivers needs to be fired and gather the checks.
📈 Brooklyn Nets (3-4): Sure, I do know they simply misplaced to the Pistons on Sunday. I don’t care. I’ve been completely impressed by the Nets to start out this season. A few of that resides within the expectation heading into this season. They had been alleged to be the worst group in basketball, or a minimum of competing with the Wizards and Blazers for that honor. A minimum of to start the season, the Nets have been actually aggressive. Cam Thomas is scoring. Ben Simmons as the middle form of works a bit? The 2010-11 post-LeBron James Cavaliers began 7-9 earlier than ending 19-63. Perhaps we’ll see an analogous fall, however proper now, it’s enjoyable.
📉 New Orleans Pelicans (3-4): They aren’t taking part in properly, and the Pelicans are riddled with accidents. Zion Williamson (hamstring), Trey Murphy III (hamstring), CJ McCollum (adductor), Dejounte Murray (hand) and Herb Jones (shoulder) are all lacking time. This group was at all times going to have some issues due to the roster imbalance, however the depth and firepower was supposed to hold them by way of. That’s not occurring but. They acquired smoked by the Warriors with out Curry (twice), the Blazers and the Hawks. Get properly, get properly quickly, we would like you to get properly!
The Week Forward
Enable me to set your calendar for the upcoming week! I can’t truly do this except we now have some function on the positioning I’m not aware of. However I can nonetheless provide you with three issues we’re wanting ahead to within the subsequent few days on this very younger NBA season.
The Embiid punishment
Sure, you examine it above, and now we’ll wait to see what the league decides after its investigation. As I wrote in The Bounce, the NBA has a probably dramatic precedent to set right here shifting ahead:
What can we anticipate the league to do about it? That’s the million-dollar query. Or a a lot higher amount of cash, I ought to say. This can be a very critical concern for commissioner Adam Silver and the league to adjudicate. Most infractions and suspensions within the NBA are designed to curb future habits, as a lot as outright punish the participant or group. That was the case while you noticed the NBA change within the ’90s to robotically suspending gamers for leaving the bench in a dustup.
Gamers don’t actually struggle anymore as a result of they don’t need to lose the cash. Silver should now determine if this punishment is designed for Embiid’s infraction or as a message to gamers not to do that with the media. He’s usually favorable towards gamers however could should be harsh.
May Embiid get a slap on the wrist because it was only a shoulder push? Would that be one sport and a giant high-quality? Two video games? Do his phrases about not caring what the results are subsequent time qualify as a reliable risk within the league’s eyes? What a few five-game suspension? Ja Morant obtained eight video games in 2022-23 for off-court actions the league deemed detrimental to the league. Then, after he ventured down that highway once more, Morant was hit with a 25-game suspension to start out final season. I doubt Embiid’s punishment could be as harsh as that, however someplace within the five-to-10 video games vary may very well be the message delivered to Embiid and different gamers. That will value him tens of millions of his $51.4 million wage this season.
Will the Thunder or Cavs lose? Will the Jazz win?
Each the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (6-0) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (7-0) are off to superb begins. The Thunder have the league’s most dominant offense, and have gained all six of their video games by a minimum of 12 factors to start this season. They play Orlando (sans Banchero) Monday evening, and can play in Denver earlier than internet hosting Houston and Golden State this weekend. The Cavs have the NBA’s second-best offense and the fourth-best protection, and 5 of their seven wins have been by double digits. They face Milwaukee on Monday, however Giannis has been nursing a knee harm. They’ve New Orleans, Golden State and Brooklyn to complete the week.
In the meantime, the Utah Jazz nonetheless haven’t gained a sport. They’ve the worst offense within the league, by far. They will’t guard anyone both, which makes profitable robust. Utah is at Chicago, Milwaukee and San Antonio the remainder of the week. A minimum of the Jazz lastly discovered the way to tank!
Wednesday’s slate is enjoyable!
Let’s whet that basketball urge for food. How does Trae Younger going in opposition to the Knicks tickle your fancy? What in regards to the Warriors going into Boston to attempt to give them their first house lack of the season? Steph Curry may be again! The Spurs are on the Rockets, and the Victor Wembanyama versus Houston matchup has been very enjoyable to this point. The Thunder on the Nuggets? Jimmy Butler in opposition to Kevin Durant? What would possibly the Kings do on the jumbotron when the Raptors go to the Kings in retaliation towards Drake? That’s all one evening.
Noteworthy: No video games on Tuesday for Election Day
It’s Election Day, which is that enjoyable time for everyone! The NBA now not has video games on Election Days, so that you’ll have to search out different methods to entertain your self. May I recommend watching “The Penguin” on Max or “Detroiters” on Netflix?
(High photograph of Joel Embiid: Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Photos)
