OAKLAND – More than any other major professional sport in America, the NBA is a league run by the players who play in it.
When LeBron James made his move to Miami, it was a huge step in the direction for star players holding more power than the franchise they play for. Players change teams at their own discretion left and right. You could argue this is a major reason the league’s big names spend so much time together off the court.
Add that to the fact that the league’s best cross paths on the Olympic team or other USA Basketball events, one might think that relations on the court would be as peaceful and docile as ever.
Not the case. Exhibit A:
Close up footage of the CP3-Rondo fight
(via @Rachel__Nichols) pic.twitter.com/c1uVhPzQd4
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 21, 2018
Wednesday morning Kevin Durant was asked if it was weird to see people who know each other very well off the court get into on-the-court skirmishes.
“Nah,” Durant said. “I feel like the competitive nature of a lot of guys on the court is just totally different than who they are off the floor. I feel like a lot of guys have alter-egos when they step on the court and just want to win.”
“In that Rockets – Lakers game tempers were flaring, guys wanted to win the basketball game and it happened to go overboard,” Durant said a few moments later. “But I’m sure everybody’s moved past it. Suspensions are handed out. And you just try to keep playing ball after that.”
The league suspended Brandon Ingram four games, Rajon Rondo three and Chris Paul for a pair for their parts in the scuffle. Much different numbers than the last major fight in the NBA, when Carmelo Anthony was suspended 15 games for throwing a punch against the New York Knicks back in 2006.
Like I said, it’s the players’ league now. And we’re all behind it.