As someone who hates the Los Angeles Lakers, I have really been enjoying these last few days, as re-igniting the rivalry with LA has taken the sting off some gut-punch losses for the Detroit Pistons.
By now everyone has seen the footage of Isaiah Stewart going after LeBron James after “The King” sucker punched him the face.
I’m the first to admit that Stewart might have overreacted, but I also understand, as he was bleeding out of his lip and from his eye, which required stitches.
LeBron did his requisite apologizing in the media, which found pretty much every way to call his clearly dirty punch a “brush,” “swipe” or “contact.” I honestly don’t care, as I grew up in the Bad Boys’ era and have seen dirtier and worse plays that weren’t even called fouls. Beef Stew will be fine.
But Anthony Davis had plenty to say after it was announced that teammate LeBron was going to be suspended for one game for his part in what will forever be known as the Beef Stew Incident. Davis was shocked by the fines and suspension:
"“The report came out and said his hit to the face caused the incident, which is weird because he can’t control how a guy is going to react. Guys get hit in the face all the time.”"
Davis claimed it was an “accident” (he must not have seen the replay) and essentially blamed Stewart as if LeBron did nothing wrong and was just a victim of an overreaction. What?
The Pistons and Lakers play Sunday
Both Isaiah Stewart and LeBron James will be back from their suspensions when the two teams play again this Sunday.
Like I said, I’m happy to see the rivalry back, and ultimately don’t think what LeBron did is the biggest deal in the world, but Anthony Davis can get out of here with this nonsense.
If I walk up to someone and sucker punch them in the face, I not only caused the incident, but likely deserve any reaction that comes. “Guys get hit in the face all the time” during basketball plays, not usually when one turns, looks directly at a guy and makes a conscious choice to hit him in the face with a closed fist.
I don’t think LeBron is a dirty player, and I get that AD is sticking up for his guy, but blaming the guy who got punched and minimizing the fact that it was a dirty play is jus a PR move to try to preserve LeBron’s precious legacy, which this wouldn’t have affected one bit anyway.
I am sure the boos will be raining down on Isaiah Stewart in LA, and I don’t expect another fight, but Davis’ words are just adding more fuel to this rivalry, so I guess I should thank him.