Sixers’ Doc Rivers sounds off on Nets, Draymond Green, James Harden, NBA

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NEW YORK–As the Philadelphia 76ers prepare to attempt to close out the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday afternoon in their first round series, the status of Joel Embiid has come to the forefront.

Embiid was called for a flagrant-1 after appearing to kick Nets big man Nic Claxton in the midsection after Claxton stood over him in Philadelphia’s Game 3 win on Thursday. Considering Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green was ejected and then suspended for stomping Sacramento Kings star Domantas Sabonis their first round series, it seemed like the precedent was set for Embiid to be tossed.

Instead, Embiid stayed in the game while James Harden was then ejected for what appeared to be a very questionable flagrant-2 foul late in the third quarter. After the game, Nets coach Jacque Vaughn said Embiid should have been kicked out of Game 3.

On Friday, before a team film session at their team hotel, coach Doc Rivers sounded off on the Green suspension, NBA VP Joe Dumars’ ruling on Green, the Nets, and what happened with Embiid and Harden:

Editor’s note: The following was one long answer from Rivers broken up for more clarity.

Rivers on Green’s suspension and Vaughn wanting Embiid kicked out

“Listen, and I’m gonna say this, I probably shouldn’t, I didn’t think Draymond should have got suspended and I think that league is setting up a very dangerous precedent right now. This is not me campaigning, alright? And I’m dead serious. I said it kind of yesterday before. I wish I’d said it louder, but if we’re going to start punishing the retaliators and not the instigators, then we got a problem in this league because you know, and as a coach and I love Jacque, but I can’t believe we have coaches campaigning for guys not to play. That’s just nuts to me. Really. This is—I’ve been a player and this is a player’s league and I am 100% pro player. I think players should play in games. I think we talk all year about the fans not being happy, about guys playing and now we’re taking guys out of the playoffs. I don’t believe in the past stuff either…”

Story continues

On Dumars’ ruling of Green and Claxton’s…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/sixers-doc-rivers-sounds-off-182850963.html?src=rss

Author : Sixers Wire

Publish date : 2023-04-21 18:28:50

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