Domantas Sabonis has turned into public enemy number one for the Golden State Warriors throughout the first two games of their playoff showdown against the Sacramento Kings.
Not only has Sabonis been a menace in the paint from a basketball standpoint, but he also got into Draymond Green’s head so much that the latter tried to stomp him out in Game 2.
For his troubles, Green earned a one game suspension.
Afterward, various members of the Warriors organization went to the media and tried to claim that Sabonis was getting away with dirty play.
“The Warriors were shocked and caught off guard (when Green was suspended),” ESPN NBA insider Lowe said this week.
“There is some anger within the organization toward the league. There’s a sense in the organization that Sabonis is shoving people on offensive rebounds and playing with his elbows out and using the ball as a weapon on offense. ‘So of course someone eventually retaliated.’ You can give that any validity you want.”
Kevon Looney says Domantas Sabonis style of play is ‘pretty normal’ pic.twitter.com/BJ9ulW63R4
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) April 19, 2023
All that being said, at least one Warriors player believes the drama is overblown. Kevon Looney said as much during a press conference on Wednesday.
“As a big man, that’s what we do. I think that’s pretty normal — the pushing, the shoving, the grabbing. That’s all part of the protocol down there,” Looney said.
“Sometimes they call it, sometimes they don’t. I enjoy it and hopefully I get the benefit of the doubt next time.”
It will be interesting to see where all parties go from here.
The photos speak for themselves. https://t.co/kyUi5pPHPD
— Game 7 (@game7__) April 19, 2023
Obviously if the Warriors come back to win this series against Sacramento, nobody will care much about the Sabonis beef.
Should they lose, though – it really wouldn’t be all that shocking to see them point to “dirty play” by Sabonis being permitted as the main reason why.
Will Golden State be able to shock the world, come back against the Kings and find a way to advance into the next round of the playoffs? Time will tell.
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A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
