“Dwight Howard and AD (Anthony Davis) have had a physical altercation on the bench… during my 42 years associated with the Lakers I have seen something like that.” That was the reaction of Magic Johnson after witnessing the dispute of the two players during the game that his team lost to the Phoenix Suns 105-115. The tension and nerves are evident in the Los Angeles team that has lost both games that it has played in the League after having also been defeated in all the friendlies that it played in the preseason.
Howard, 35 years old and who this season has returned to the Lakers after having played last season with the Sixers, and Davis, 32 years old and starting his third season with the team, had to be separated by their teammates in the dock. “When you get your butt kicked, sometimes those conversations get heated,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. “Those guys love each other. They spoke it. And that will happen from time to time. I’d rather our boys care than they don’t care. ” The incident occurred during the second quarter, when Davis yelled at Howard, who got off the bench and faced his teammate. Davis grabbed him by the arms and pushed him away. Howard lost his balance. Monk, Bradley, Rondo, LeBron James and some security guards intervened to defuse the situation.
“We figured it out on the spot,” Howard said. “We have had a disagreement about a situation that has occurred on the court. We both like to win. We didn’t want to lose the game. They are things that happen, but we are going to solve it between us ”.
Davis also wanted to settle the controversy that arose as a result of the incident with his partner. AD had 22 points and 14 rebounds and helped reduce the Phoenix Suns lead from 32 to nine.
LeBron James spoke about the difficulties in achieving the expected performance of the team. “There is a building process to become the team you want to become. And I know it first hand. I know the shortcomings that occur when you try to build something special and that doesn’t happen overnight. As much as you want to, sometimes you will feel frustrated because you know what you are capable of, what the team can become capable of. It takes time”. LeBron James had 25 points, Carmelo Anthony, 16, and Russell Westbrook, despite missing the three triples he threw, touched his first triple-double with the Lakers, with 15 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists. But the Suns were far superior, with 23 points and 14 assists from Chris Paul, 22 points from Booker, 21 from Bridges, and 13 from Crowder.
The Lakers’ frustration was also seen in other incidents. Fank Vogel, their coach, was charged with a technical foul for entering the court to protest. Davis was sanctioned with another technique after a brush with Deandre Ayton. And Rondo argued with a fan, who was expelled. “We are competitors,” LeBron James said. “If you don’t get mad at certain things on the court that you feel you should have done better, then what are you here for? We like adversity. I like adversity, and I like it even more when two men on the team can get together, talk about it and move on.
Juancho Hernangómez debuted in an official game with the Celtics. The 26-year-old from Madrid played four minutes and added 4 points and 3 rebounds in the game that his team lost to Toronto 93-112. It was the second loss for the Celtics, who had fallen in their debut after two overtimes on the Knicks court. Marcus Smart went to zero after missing all six shots he made and Brown missed all seven 3-pointers he tried. Jayson Tatum was the Celtics’ leading scorer with 18 points. Scottie Barnes, 20 years old and chosen in fourth place in the last draft, was the most outstanding in the Raptors with 25 points and 13 rebounds, well accompanied by Gary Trent, with 20 points and Achiwa, with 15 points and 15 rebounds.
Cleveland lost 112-123 to Charlotte. Ricky Rubio started his second game with the Cavaliers and had 15 points and 10 assists. Collin Sexton scored 30 points. But the Hornets were far superior, with 30 points from Bridges, 25 from Oubre and 18 from Hayward.
Willy Hernangómez did not play in the game that his team, New Orleans, lost in Chicago 128-112. Garuba caught a rebound and did not score in the six minutes he was on the court during the game that his team, Houston, beat Oklahoma City 124-91.
You can follow EL PAÍS DEPORTES in Facebook and Twitter, or sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter.
#Lakers #fall #Suns #Howard #Davis #fight #bench